Upcoming events
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FREE DONUTS: Social Movement History Study and Action Group
May, June, July in Vermont and Maine
Learn together, discuss, and move towards taking action in our respective communities. Meet in person to vent, reflect, and strategize. Both cohorts are open to people from New Hampshire joining, though in person gatherings will happen in Vermont and Maine.
Together we can learn and grow, and move through feelings and experiences of hopelessness with collective action.The study and action group is for LGBTQ+ identified people living rurally in Vermont, New Hampshire, & Maine, and our action will be oriented towards engaging with people of all identities in the places we live. We’ve closed sign up, but if you have interest in joining reach out!
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LGBTQ+ Community Potluck & Skill Share
1st Thursdays July 3, August 7, September 4 | Penobscot Territory/ Belfast ME
We’ll spend the first hour-ish eating and socializing. We will spend the second hour sharing experience, resources, and discussing the topics below.
July 3: Protest and action safety and strategy
August 7: Crisis support, rituals, and community care
September 4: TBD!
Bringing a dish to pass is not required and there is no cost to participate. We’ll provide information and resources on the suggested topics, and we encourage/welcome you to bring your experiences, questions, resources, ideas, conundrums, etc. to share with the group and to spark discussions.
The gathering location has a wheelchair accessible entry, air filtration, gender free but not ADA accessible restrooms. Masks are welcome (not required) and will be provided.
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ARRT! and OITO Banner Painting
Saturday August 16, 12 - 4pm | Unity, ME
Gather with ARRT! (Artist Rapid Response) member and artist, Hale Linnet, to lay out the design for a large fabric banner celebrating rural LGBTQ+ visibility and power, and paint together.
No experience necessary!
Pizza, light snacks, and materials are provided.
RSVP via Info@WeAreOutintheOpen.org or via text at (207) 808-0623.
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Forest Work Day
Friday August 29, 9:30am - 2:00pm | Unity, ME
Join Out in the Open alongside MOFGA’s Low Impact Forestry staff for a forest work day.
Learn basic trail maintenance skills while finishing a ¼ mile trail and create a fairy village. This will entail moving and cutting limbs using hand saws and other tools, and happen with guidance from an experienced trail builder. The trail opens up to what will become MOFGA’s 1st fairy village, where participants will collaborate and contribute to establishing the village with seashells, rocks, natural and found objects.
Lunch and snacks will be provided. There is no cost to attend.
This event is for LGBTQ+ identified adults.
Access information: The trail area is 1/4 mile from ADA, gender free restrooms. The work area terrain is wooded, with some already cleared trail with pine needles and dirt underfoot. There are roots and the path overall is sloped.
Location information will be sent to people who RSVP via the button below.
Questions? Reach out: Info@WeAreOutintheOpen.org or 207.808.0623
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Fall Summit 2025
Saturday September 13 & Sunday September 14 | Brattleboro, VT
Join Out in the Open for the 2025 Summit for Rural LGBTQ+ People, on Saturday & Sunday September 13 & 14 in Brattleboro, VT!
This year’s Fall summit will be our 13th time hosting this type of event. Summits are places to gather in community, (re)connect with and actively queer rural traditions, build relationships and trust among other rural and small town LGBTQ+ people, celebrate & grieve together, and create a roadmap to move us closer to our collectively liberated and joyful futures.
There will be hands-on workshop spaces, dialogue spaces, and time and space to connect with other rural LGBTQ+ folks. Additionally, there will be time for what we call “open topic” sessions, where attendees can decide on the day-of to offer a session.
Saturday will include small-group field trip options to other Southern Vermont locations and organizations, while Sunday’s main event will be a day full of sessions at Out in the Open's land in Brattleboro and a hearty lunch (with vegan and gluten free options!).
Registrants can choose to attend both days or just Sunday. The Summit is a sliding scale event as we strive to not let money be a barrier to our programming.
Registration will open soon, reach out with any questions. -
Guided Walk in the Woods
Saturday October 11 | Hancock County, ME
Stay tuned for more information about an interpretive walk in collaboration with Frenchman Bay Conservancy.
Rural LGBTQ+ Peer Spaces
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TRANS FEMME CHILL CLUB
Thursdays
Open to and run by trans women, trans femmes, and trans feminine folks.
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QUEER CREATIVE ARTS SPACE
Mondays | 7pm
Looking for a virtual space to create with other Queer artists? Look no further! We hangout online every Monday night at 7pm.
Email info@weareoutintheopen.org for more details!
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BRATTLEBORO AREA NON-MONOGAMY GROUP (BANG)
In person | 3rd Wednesday | varying times & Southern VT locations
Peer group/support! Open to those that identify, engage in, or are exploring polyamory, non-monogamy, open relationships, relationship anarchy, etc.
Email info@weareoutintheopen.org for more information & to join the email list.
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DRAWING SKILL SWAP GROUP
2nd and 4th Thursdays (ongoing), 5:30 pm Unity Public Library in Unity, ME
Want to learn how to draw? Learn more about drawing? Learn other ways to draw? Try out new mediums for drawing? Share drawing skills you already have? Hang out with local artists? If any of those apply to you, then you should stop by the Drawing Skill Share Group at Unity Public Library in Unity, Maine!
Second and fourth Thursdays of every month at 5:30pm (besides holidays).
Leave judgment at the door, you don’t need to have any skill in art to join!Open to all ages, especially teens and adults. LGBTQIA+ friendly.
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INTERESTED IN A RURAL LGBTQ+ PEER GROUP THAT YOU DON'T ALREADY SEE HERE?
Are you (or you and a few other volunteers) up for holding the space in an on-going way? If so, let’s talk!
OITO can offer zoom access, logistics support, a dedicated email list, and outreach.
Past events
