John,

As we contend with attacks on LGBTQ+ rights locally and nationally, our stories are our greatest strength – to share who we are, where we come from, and why we fight for our equality with everything we have. We are currently seeking submissions to The Lavender South, a program of the Campaign for Southern Equality that elevates the voices of queer and trans people who call the South their home. Through the Lavender South, we share stories of queer Southern resilience and resistance, joy and pain, during a time when their communities are under attack. We know that every queer Southerner has a story to tell, and at CSE, we have cultivated a community that wants to engage with these stories. Through this project, we hope to uplift the voices of the most marginalized in our community, such as transgender people, youth, BIPOC folks, immigrants, and working class people.

The Lavender South now welcomes submissions in a variety of art forms  – including written stories, poetry, and visual art. Submit your story by October 5th, and selected entries will receive a stipend of $150.

As our communities face a continued onslaught of policies targeting our identity, our families, and our lives, we are feeling the effects. We are also resisting in powerful ways. When we released our last call for submissions, we asked writers to submit personal essays about the impact anti-LGBTQ+ policies have had and how their communities are responding. The stories shared were vulnerable and powerful. They opened our eyes to new perspectives, inspired us, and pushed us further in the fight for LGBTQ+ liberation. Read stories previously published in The Lavender South here.

Here is the prompt for submissions this fall: “Reflect back on your younger self – whether a year or fifty years younger. What would you want to share with your younger self about your life today? What would you tell your younger self knowing what you know now?” Share your personal essay, poem, or art today, and if selected, we'll send you a $150 stipend for your work.

We can't wait to see what you come up with, and share your story with queer folks across the South.

Thank you for lending your voice to this moment,
Emma Chinn
She/Her
Communications & Policy Manager
Campaign for Southern Equality