Rest as Resistance

September 2020

Dear Out in the Open community,

This time last year we were gathered at Green Mountain Camp in Dummerston, VT for the fifth annual Out in the Open Summit. We are really missing being together with you all right now! The theme of last year's gathering was Rest, Resilience, & Resistance, which we explored through things like: a group read of The Left Hand of Darkness; a day of queer & trans beekeeping down at They Keep Bees, a session on creating queer gym/workout spaces, a fall medicinal plant walk, many meals, late nights by the campfire with a bunch of rural LGBTQ folks, and by being together in the woods with all the magic that early fall can bring.

This October, as a staff, inspired in part by the 2019 Summit, by the always brilliant Nap Ministry, and by a number of groups we're connected to (namely Astraea Foundation and Borealis Philanthropy) who are doing something similar right now, we're taking an all-staff break from October 5-19th. After these past six months, this is needed time for us to rest and recuperate.

In the meantime, volunteer-run groups will continue as planned! And we'll be back refreshed and as always ready to go on the 19th.

Let us know if you have questions about what programming will continue over these next couple of weeks.

The time is always right to actively push back against white supremacy (and the hegemony of capitalism, and the crush of heteronormativity, and pandemic exhaustion, and...) this break is one way we're doing that. There are many others.

Onward towards collective liberation for all of us,

HB & Out in the Open

--

HB Lozito

Executive Director

HB@weareoutintheopen.org

BLM Mural in front of Putney Central School, Putney VT. Painted 9/27. Photo by Justin Altman

Here's some stuff to enjoy during this break:

We Feed Each Other: Rural LGBTQ Food Traditions Zine is now available!

A compilation of recipes, memories, and stories- connecting and fueling our rural LGBTQ communities.

Download your copy!

[image credit - Molly Costello]

​SEPTEMBER CHALLENGE: Our friends at W.R. Metalarts have agreed to match all donations made to Out in the Open until we reach $2,500 or September ends-- whichever comes first.

Can you help us meet our Match? Click here!

Listen to our newest Radio Hour episode to be in conversation with Out in the Open staff, HB, Ain, and Eva! Hear about what politicized them, what they love about being rural queer folks, and a joke or two!

Get it wherever you listen to podcasts, on our website, and Mondays 2-3PM on WVEW 107.7FM in Brattleboro. All episodes can be found here: https://bit.ly/2FG7fw9