Hey everyone –

This week the Campaign for Southern Equality opened up our third phase of applications for COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants, and again we exhausted our funding in just a few hours, distributing an additional $30,000 in grants for a total of $85,000 in the past month.   

The response to these grants has underlined for us the many ways that LGBTQ Southerners are facing tremendous challenges, which have either been introduced by the pandemic or exacerbated by the fallout. Our heart goes out to y’all, and we’re working as hard as we can to raise additional funding. Big thanks to our partners at Blue Ridge Pride for stepping up this week and sponsoring a special grant round of $6,000 in Emergency Assistance Grants to LGBTQ folks in Western North Carolina. If you want to kick in a few bucks for our next round of grants, click here to donate – every dollar will be matched.

In the meantime, we’re working to fuel LGBTQ folks by building community and bridging virtual networks through our virtual gathering series, The Front Porch. We’ve hosted more than 20 webinars since the issuance of social distancing guidance, serving more than 250 Southerners. Please join us for a meet-up or webinar this week – check out the full schedule here or below.

Remember: We’re all in this together, and we’re here for each other.

Thank you,
Al Murray
Campaign for Southern Equality

THE FRONT PORCH SCHEDULE

April 27 – May 1

MONDAY – #LGBTQSouth Community Support Group
April 27 • 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, hosted by CSE’s Community Health Program Director Ivy Hill. Click to RSVP or view on Facebook.

TUESDAY – Southern Equality Studios’ Queer Artist Meet-Up Goes Virtual 
April 28 • 6:00–7:00pm ET (NOTE TIME CHANGE)
If you’re a queer artist or creative in the South, join us for weekly discussions and tutorials. This week, guest host Ariana Sellers will teach a home craft – visible mending and functional embroidery using the Sashiko technique. This space 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 or view on Facebook.

WEDNESDAY – LGBTQ Organizing in Upstate SC: Tips, Coaching, and Guidance
April 29 • 4:00–5:00pm ET
All year the CSE team has been working with and alongside a powerful coalition of groups serving LGBTQ South Carolinians – and this week, we’re working with our partners in the coalition to provide a training and tutorial for activists who want to prepare for legislative and direct organizing fights ahead. Phil Ford will moderate a conversation, skill share, and brainstorm session, with content focused on Upstate South Carolina. If you’re not in the Upstate, you’re still welcome to join – but just keep in mind that that will be the focus of the training. Click to RSVP or view on Facebook.

THURSDAY – Queer Parents' Meet-Up
April 30 • 12:00–1:00pm ET
An hour to brag/vent/mock/gush...or maybe we won't even talk about our kids at all (yeah right).  Led by Al Murray and probably co-facilitated by their 4-month-old twins, Al will facilitate open discussion in a judgement-free space for you to meet other queer parents in the South. Kids welcomed, dropping in and out is just fine. Click to RSVP or view on Facebook.

See the homepage for The Front Porch.