We’ve created a map tool to help you more easily find Community Partners! Zoom in and out to find general locations or individual pinned Community Partners. Click on a Community Partner pin to access more information, addresses, contact information, and websites. The map can be found at this link! https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1Dtq6n1MPSsWMM_kzGeq22luiO4hNIkE&usp=sharing
Read MoreHey folks, here’s another project happening in NH that you may be interested in! Cecilia, a Nottingham resident and owner of the queer programming newsletter “The Outboard” is organizing efforts to post an LGBTQ+ affirming billboard in Manchester which would combat the anti-trans sign that’s been downtown for a while. The billboard design for this project was donated by artist Rae Senarighi and can be seen in the image. Fundraising efforts for the billboard are underway now. If you would like to donate or buy a yard sign for $25, you can do so at this link: https://tinyurl.com/yk2mzmmh Group orders of 10+ yard signs have the option to be delivered to you, and those orders can also be made at the link above. If you’d like to volunteer to be a local pickup point for individual yard signs to help with distribution, contact Cecilia at ck@skiffco.com. This includes picking up a batch of signs and a list of people who have purchased them in your area and then coordinating with individuals on when they’d like to collect their sign from you. There is no money collection with this volunteer effort, as it’s all done online ahead of time.
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March 31st marks the annual International Transgender Day of Visibility. It was founded in 2009 by transgender activist Rachel Crandall, of Michigan, as a response to the lack of recognition of transgender people within the LGBT community. Since then, the day has been used to uplift the transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) community while also bringing awareness to the work that still needs to be done to achieve complete transgender equity.1 Transgender Day of Visibility celebrates the lives of TGNC people and showcases that they are everyday people worthy of love and respect; friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. Janelle, a transgender woman and volunteer with The Affirming Spaces Project and Seacoast Outright, spoke about being visible in areas of her life where the LGBTQ+ community are not often represented. “I grew up in the Boy Scouts of America and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the mid-2000s,” she said, “but I always felt I had to hide my gender identity or risk being ostracized from the program. Since BSA lifted a ban on gay youth in 2013 and allowed girls into the program in 2019, I’m even more motivated to help out at summer camps and other programs now. If I can show just one kid that it’s okay to be their true self and still participate in the things they enjoy, my day would be made.” Janelle continued, “Similarly, I work professionally as a mechanical engineer, so I always enjoy speaking on STEM panels for schools when given…
Read MoreWelcome to February’s new Community Partners! Topanga Canyon Vintage, LLC – Durham NH’s premier eclectic vintage/thrift store. The shop features over 1300 square feet of sustainable treasures. Nubble Light Candle – Queer-owned and hand-crafting incredible smelling, high-quality soy wax candles right here on the New England seacoast. Emma Dolan Birth Doula, LLC – A certified birth doula who supports expectant parents wishing to have an intentional and meaningful birth experience. New Community Partners are always being added, so stay tuned for our next additions! February Raffle A big thank you to everyone who participated in our February raffle for gift baskets! We raised $400, which goes directly to maintaining our website and other costs. Congratulations to our two winners, Erin C (Raffle 1) and Evelyn S (Raffle 2)!
Read MoreSeacoast Outright will host a second Pride event in 2021, and ASP will have a booth in the Pride Marketplace! Come visit us to learn about becoming a volunteer or Community Partner, sign up for our email list, make a donation, or get one of our fabulous stickers or hand flags. Look for our light blue flag! The Marketplace portion of Portsmouth Pride will be taking place from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at the Strawbery Banke Museum (14 Hancock Street, Portsmouth). Event organizers require masks at all times except when eating, and require COVID vaccinations for attendance. There will be an on-site vaccination clinic for those who wish to be vaccinated. For full event details, please visit https://www.seacoastoutright.org/events.
Read MoreWant to be a part of ASP? We’d love to have your support! We have roles open on our Outreach, Fundraising, Art and Graphic Design, Social Media, and Logistics/Events Planning sub-committees. Email us at hello@affirmingspacesproject.org today or say hi on social media.
Read MoreWant your business or organization to become an ASP Community Partner? Or know someone who would be a great fit? Email us at hello@affirmingspacesproject.org today or say hi on social media.
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