LGBTQ+ people in Appalachia are many and mighty, but in everyday life, we are often separated, and even isolated.We experience isolation in different & similar ways, across rural and urban landscapes, so spaces that break the isolation of queer communities here are necesssary for our well being.
Courtney Roark writes last year on the West Virginia Hub's blog, “For me, the most important community I’m a part of doesn’t hold a physical space – it’s people. It’s the people who make me feel loved, valued, safe, and whole – all things that sometimes can’t be found in a physical space. In the two years that I’ve lived in West Virginia I have relentlessly sought out a physical space where queer folks gather.”
Our Appalachian LGBTQ+ communities need a place to get together, be visible, raise our voices, speak our truth and organize. You can be a part of creating that powerful place. Please give now to hold Regional Gatherings for Appalachian LGBTQ+ people in Fall 2018.
What are Regional Gatherings?
The Regional Gatherings are sponsored by the Appalachian Community Fund as part of the Out in the South: Central Appalachia Project. In 2017, we hosted four state-based gatherings and a regional gathering, where community members came together, defined their needs, and shared strategies they’ve used to survive and thrive in their communities.
“You have to get together face to face, recognize the obstacles in your way, and develop a plan to address those obstacles,” as Courtney said after attending a Gathering. “That’s building power, and without power you can’t organize, and if you can’t organize you can’t change things.”
Change is what it’s all about. Change, not charity. (That’s the ACF slogan!)
You can be part of the change that makes Appalachia a better place for LGBTQ+ people and for all of us. Your donation will bring back Regional Gatherings—by popular demand—and help build power in our community.
Pride Month is over, but our pride here in Appalachia sustains us year round. Thanks in advance for your donation!
Meet the Appalachian Community Fund
The Appalachian Community Fund (ACF) is a publicly supported, non-profit grantmaking organization that provides resources and support to grassroots organizations working to overcome the underlying causes of poverty and injustice in Central Appalachia (East Tennessee, Eastern Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and West Virginia). We fund organizations working to:
- End: racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, transphobia, ageism, and ableism
- Promote: grassroots organizing for social change led by impacted people in their Appalachian Communities
- Build: organizations that are fair, inclusive, and democratic.
We want to give more. We want to do more. We hope you will join us!
