Friends –

As we’re all continuing to adjust to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Campaign for Southern Equality has strived to pivot our work to address the immediate and urgent needs of LGBTQ Southerners.

Earlier this week we launched a special COVID-19 Rapid Response Grant Round of our Southern Equality Fund, dedicated to moving financial support to LGBTQ people. Within 48 hours we received hundreds of applications for our Emergency Assistance Grants and Community Response Grants, and our team is now focused on processing the applications, clearing the waiting lists, and fundraising for additional grants. 

On that front, we’re so grateful for the generous contributions we’ve received from dozens of donors, including one donor who has volunteered to double every donation. If you’re able to give, please click here – and know that every dollar will be doubled. 

We also had a successful first week of daily webinars through our new initiative, The Front Porch: Virtual Gatherings for the #LGBTQSouth. We hosted a support/networking group, a Queer Artist Meet-Up, a cooking class, an informational session about the COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants, and a workshop on healing and resilience strategies, and we appreciate folks showing up, engaging, and building community.

We’re excited for another full slate of The Front Porch programming this week! Click here to view the full calendar (or scroll to the end of this message) and get detailed descriptions and RSVP information for the webinars, which will be hosted through Zoom. Please spread the word to anyone who may be interested in these events, and use this form to let us know other programming that you may be interested in from the CSE team.

Thank you, and take care!
Al Murray
Campaign for Southern Equality

THE FRONT PORCH SCHEDULE

March 29 – April 3
 

MONDAY – #LGBTQSouth Community Support Group
March 30 • 12:00–1:00pm ET
Gather with other LGBTQ Southerners for virtual time together without a formal agenda. As we all responsibly practice social distancing, it’s more important than ever to seek out new ways to get connected, get to know each other, share how we’re feeling during this challenging time, and build community together. Kick off your week with this lunchtime gathering – and this week, we’ll talk a bit about how everyone is observing Transgender Day of Visibility (celebrated 3/31). This session is organized and hosted by CSE’s Community Health Program Director Ivy Hill. Click to RSVP on Facebook and register for the dial-in information here.

TUESDAY – Southern Equality Studios’ Queer Artist Meet-Up Goes Virtual 
March 31 • 4:00–5:30pm ET
If you’re a queer artist in the South, join us for a skill-sharing workshop – this one focused on electro-etching with household objects! Learn how to etch metal using objects you have all around you. You can scale this concept in the future when you have access to more specific tools and spaces. This workshop will be facilitated by Al Murray, CSE’s Director of Engagement and Organizational Development, and Liz Williams, CSE’s Artist in Residence. Click to RSVP on Facebook and register for the dial-in information here.

WEDNESDAY – Wisdom from the Mountains
April 1 • 4:00–5:30pm ET
These are frightening and uncertain times. COVID-19 continues to take and impact lives everyday. How are people who are rural, Southern, and no strangers to pandemics and genocide faring? CSE’s Director of Healing and Resilience Holiday Simmons will moderate a panel featuring members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, North Carolina. The panel will share their thoughts, experiences, and practices on social, emotional, and resource management during this COVID-19 outbreak. Click to RSVP on Facebook and register for the dial-in information here.

THURSDAY – Trans Health in the South: A Listening & Resource Sharing Session
April 2 • 5:30–6:30pm ET
Join Michael Hoeben, Trans/HIV Bridge & Retention Coordinator at Western NC Community Health Services, and CSE’s Community Health Program Director Ivy Hill for a webinar on trans health, especially as it relates to COVID-19 and other consequences of the pandemic. Just a few days after Transgender Day of Visibility (which is Tuesday 3/31), Michael and Ivy will share updates from their work and leave plenty of time for questions. We’re here to listen to trans and nonbinary folks from across the South about what you need, and what questions you may have – whether about COVID-19, sexual health, or any other concerns related to health and healthcare. Click to RSVP on Facebook and register for the dial-in information here.

FRIDAY – Keeping Your Hair on Point in a Pandemic: At-Home Hair and Grooming Tips
April 3 • 2:00–3:30pm ET
Join professional stylist Crain Jackson for an at-home barbering/haircut demonstration and a Q&A session on personal grooming and aesthetics! Crain has experience barbering all hair types and is able to offer suggestions based on masc, femme and nonbinary presentations. They’ll share tips for talking about everything from cleaning up your own neckline to DIY hair and skin care in this era of social distancing. Click to RSVP on Facebook and register for the dial-in information here.