Rural QTBIPOC/LGBTQ+ Mutual Aid Fund
A Pandemic Relief Fund of Out in the Open
A mutual aid relief fund for rural QTBIPOC/LGBTQ+ people, living on Abenaki territory of the Wabanaki confederacy in so-called Southern Vermont, elsewhere in Vermont, Southwestern New Hampshire, and the rest of rural New England.
This Mutual Aid Fund will distribute money to LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, +) folks, prioritizing applicants who are QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, people of color). Additional priority will be given to those who live at the intersections of systematically oppressed experiences & identities.
This Mutual Aid Fund will distribute money to LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, +) folks, prioritizing applicants who are QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, people of color). Additional priority will be given to those who live at the intersections of systematically oppressed experiences & identities.
Art work by Monica Trinidad Request FundsOut in the Open is able to offer the support described below.
We welcome any rural QTBIPOC/LGBTQ+ folks living in Southern Vermont, elsewhere in Vermont, Southwestern New Hampshire, and rural New England to request funds here: https://bit.ly/2AR7sJW. At this time we are offering support for: Groceries, supplies, housing support, medical support, and other needs for thriving. Out in the Open is considering mutual aid fund requests of up to $400 per individual in accordance with the priorities listed below and the amount of funds we receive to distribute. Open request form or scroll down to the "How it will work" section for more details. |
Border artwork by Josh MacPhee
Donate FundsIt's time to share our resources to get through this collective crisis together.
Directly make a difference now: 100% of your donated funds will be distributed to rural QTBIPOC and other LGBTQ+ folks who need support in this time.
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Art work by Pete Railand
Other Mutual AidThis mutual aid fund is only one of the ways we are working to support our community. We are building resilient and joyful rural LGBTQ+ communities which entail that radical act of community care. As a rural queer community we take care of each other through acts of love, creativity, and resistance. We take care of each other by building a community where we are seen, visible, and powerful.
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More about the Rural QTBIPOC/LGBTQ+ Mutual Aid Fund
Why this fund; why now?
For folks who are part of our QTBIPOC/LGBTQ+ community: we see you and we love you. In addition to everything below, we know we also have times of great joy and celebration stemming from our queer and trans identities. We will find those times again. And we're hopeful that support from this Fund can help us all get there. Additionally, if you need non-monetary support, you can find that through our Rural Queer Community Care Network by emailing Eva (eva@weareoutinthopen.org).
COVID-19 has deeply affected all of us in nearly every aspect of our lives. And, as with most things, those impacts can look different in our rural communities and small towns. Hospitals in rural areas have been closing at a rapid rate. 2019 was a record year for rural hospital closures and this situation (even before COVID) was only projected to get worse. We have essentially no public transportation to speak of (not that public transit is safe these days anyway). And can be very isolated, often as the only queer or trans folks that we know of in our town or county. Additionally, we are seeing housing prices increase significantly and are feeling the crush of those with access to wealth fleeing more densely populated areas because Vermont (and other rural areas) have been positioning themselves as havens from this virus.
This can create even more challenges for those of us living in rural areas whose economies are heavily reliant on tourism dollars holding up our communities (which is so many of us). While we need that money coming in in the short-term, in the long-term we’re being priced out of our communities and are increasingly likely to have less access to much-needed resources (like dentists, doctors, high-quality affordable childcare, housing, etc.) that are already in short supply during non-pandemic times.
We are in solidarity with our siblings who are struggling in cities! We need to be together in this fight against fascism, racism, and wealth hoarding that contributed to this situation in the first place.
We know that rural LGBTQ+ folks in our community who are Black, brown and people of color are being more deeply affected by this virus on top of the other daily oppressions they were living with from pre-pandemic times, due to a centuries-long arc of systemic racism. Here in Vermont, Black folks are about 2% of the overall population and currently make up 7% of those with positive cases of COVID. Systemic racism and white supremacy are the reason. And are also the reason why we are prioritizing QTBIPOC for receipt of the support from this Fund.
Our LGBTQ+ community on the whole, as compared to our straight and cis siblings, experiences higher rates of poverty; fewer of us have an existing relationship with a primary care provider so are less able to access care if we need it during COVID; may not be in contact with our families of origin and/or may have less support where we are quarantined presently; and more.
We want to make sure that as many of us as possible make it through this time in order to keep fighting together long into the future. We have been inspired and supported by many mutual aid funds started over the past many months.
Join us in requesting support from this fund if that is what you need. Join us in supporting community if you are able. (Not that those are mutually exclusive! You can both need and give support at the same time.)
*Individuals and organizations who we have received inspiration and support from in creating the language and systems for this mutual aid fund: Ijeoma Oluo's efforts to support her community of fellow artists in Seattle, Amita Swadhin organizer of COVID-19 Relief Fund For LGBTQI+ BIPOC, SisTers PGH COVID-19 LGBTQIA Emergency Relief Fund, The Root Social Justice Center’s Mutual Aid Support Network, and Dr. tara jae and YouthSeen in Colorado’s efforts to support QTBIPOC folks.
For folks who are part of our QTBIPOC/LGBTQ+ community: we see you and we love you. In addition to everything below, we know we also have times of great joy and celebration stemming from our queer and trans identities. We will find those times again. And we're hopeful that support from this Fund can help us all get there. Additionally, if you need non-monetary support, you can find that through our Rural Queer Community Care Network by emailing Eva (eva@weareoutinthopen.org).
COVID-19 has deeply affected all of us in nearly every aspect of our lives. And, as with most things, those impacts can look different in our rural communities and small towns. Hospitals in rural areas have been closing at a rapid rate. 2019 was a record year for rural hospital closures and this situation (even before COVID) was only projected to get worse. We have essentially no public transportation to speak of (not that public transit is safe these days anyway). And can be very isolated, often as the only queer or trans folks that we know of in our town or county. Additionally, we are seeing housing prices increase significantly and are feeling the crush of those with access to wealth fleeing more densely populated areas because Vermont (and other rural areas) have been positioning themselves as havens from this virus.
This can create even more challenges for those of us living in rural areas whose economies are heavily reliant on tourism dollars holding up our communities (which is so many of us). While we need that money coming in in the short-term, in the long-term we’re being priced out of our communities and are increasingly likely to have less access to much-needed resources (like dentists, doctors, high-quality affordable childcare, housing, etc.) that are already in short supply during non-pandemic times.
We are in solidarity with our siblings who are struggling in cities! We need to be together in this fight against fascism, racism, and wealth hoarding that contributed to this situation in the first place.
We know that rural LGBTQ+ folks in our community who are Black, brown and people of color are being more deeply affected by this virus on top of the other daily oppressions they were living with from pre-pandemic times, due to a centuries-long arc of systemic racism. Here in Vermont, Black folks are about 2% of the overall population and currently make up 7% of those with positive cases of COVID. Systemic racism and white supremacy are the reason. And are also the reason why we are prioritizing QTBIPOC for receipt of the support from this Fund.
Our LGBTQ+ community on the whole, as compared to our straight and cis siblings, experiences higher rates of poverty; fewer of us have an existing relationship with a primary care provider so are less able to access care if we need it during COVID; may not be in contact with our families of origin and/or may have less support where we are quarantined presently; and more.
We want to make sure that as many of us as possible make it through this time in order to keep fighting together long into the future. We have been inspired and supported by many mutual aid funds started over the past many months.
Join us in requesting support from this fund if that is what you need. Join us in supporting community if you are able. (Not that those are mutually exclusive! You can both need and give support at the same time.)
*Individuals and organizations who we have received inspiration and support from in creating the language and systems for this mutual aid fund: Ijeoma Oluo's efforts to support her community of fellow artists in Seattle, Amita Swadhin organizer of COVID-19 Relief Fund For LGBTQI+ BIPOC, SisTers PGH COVID-19 LGBTQIA Emergency Relief Fund, The Root Social Justice Center’s Mutual Aid Support Network, and Dr. tara jae and YouthSeen in Colorado’s efforts to support QTBIPOC folks.
How it will work
Fund Request form here.
Out in the Open is able to offer the support described below and we welcome any rural QTBIPOC/LGBTQ+ folks living in Southern Vermont, elsewhere in Vermont, Southwestern New Hampshire, and rural New England to fill out the form.
At this time we are offering support for:
Groceries, supplies, housing support, medical support, and other thriving and survival needs.
How it will work (borrowed language from Pittsburgh COVID-19 LGBTQIA Emergency Relief Fund):
When:
Out in the Open is able to offer the support described below and we welcome any rural QTBIPOC/LGBTQ+ folks living in Southern Vermont, elsewhere in Vermont, Southwestern New Hampshire, and rural New England to fill out the form.
At this time we are offering support for:
Groceries, supplies, housing support, medical support, and other thriving and survival needs.
How it will work (borrowed language from Pittsburgh COVID-19 LGBTQIA Emergency Relief Fund):
- Out in the Open is considering mutual aid fund requests of up to $400 per individual in accordance with the priorities listed below and the amount of funds we receive to distribute.
- Please consider the amount of your request so that funds can be dispersed fairly to others. Please specify the amount of request and what needs it will cover.
- LGBTQ+ folks are welcome to request funds. In “Round 1,” we will prioritize fund distribution to QTBIPOC folks and applicants who are (while prioritizing folks at the intersections of these identities):
- Sex Workers
- Undocumented folks
- Disabled/Chronically Ill
- Transgender or non-binary
- Without paid work during the pandemic and/or not eligible for unemployment benefits
- Not eligible for paid sick leave
- On the cusp of losing housing and or currently without housing
- Food insecure
- Living in Southern Vermont or Southwestern New Hampshire
- Have lost, or are losing, access to gender affirming care such as HRT, etc
- In “Round 2,” we will redistribute funds to those who are living elsewhere in rural Vermont and rural New England, still prioritizing folks who live at the intersections of multiple identities and experiences as listed above.
- After Round 2 is complete and if funds are still available we will start Round 1 again followed by another set of Round 2 and will continue as long as funds are available.
- Funds will be distributed via Venmo and paper checks.
- We will not share or sell the information given to us in your application with any other organization(s).
- The Staff & Board of OITO will make final decisions for those receiving funds based on information received from request forms.
- No staff, board or family members of staff or board will receive any funds.
When:
- Fundraising for the Mutual Aid Fund is live, and will remain open to collect funds for as long as needed.
- Round 1 requests will be open for one week and funds will be distributed at the end of that week. **OPEN NOW** ROUND ONE OPEN UNTIL JUNE 17
- Round 2 will then happen similarly within the week following week 1. **ROUND TWO OPENS JUNE 18**
- After Round 2 is complete and if funds are still available we will start Round 1 again followed by another set of Round 2 and will continue as long as funds are available.
- The application for support will stay open for as long as we have funds.
- Click here to request funds.
- We will continue to raise funds for as long as needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to donate to the Fund.
- Also, please join us in pushing state and local government to continue meeting the needs of our community by signing on to our letter: A Just Response to COVID-19.
