JQY’s Post

The LGBTQ Commission has opened up applications for this year's Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Grants through the Denver Arts & Culture Fund! The goal of these grants is to support non-profit organizations that, through arts and culture, elevate the communities represented by each of the Human Rights and Community Partnerships (HRCP) Commissions, and that exemplify the tenets of equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice. Each Commission, including the LGBTQ Commission, can award 1-2 grants of $5,000 or $10,000, using the following requirements: ✅ Projects must take place within the City and County of Denver ✅ Projects must have an arts, culture or creative component ✅ Projects with a focus on social justice efforts will receive high consideration ✅Organization must be a nonprofit (501c3 or has a fiscal sponsor) ✅Funds must be spent within a year of receipt Apply here by June 23rd: https://lnkd.in/eC8Ut5Ak Know an org who would be a good fit? Nominate them here: https://lnkd.in/eeR6MPwZ

Sum of Us Festival attendees deserve the best amenities, accessibility, and programming with expert facilitators and top performers. Do your mission, vision, and values align with ours? Come grow with us. History behind the fest: Sum of Us Festival is the first and largest LGBTQ+ women's and transgender space that focuses on wellness and authenticity for the community that statistically needs it most. The LGBTQ+ community was historically formed in secret, after-hours in bars and nightclubs, so it makes sense that we would still be meeting in those spaces... And so, Sum of Us started because we NEED other options. The festival is a reimagined space where conscious community members can meet friends on a deeper level, find connections based on shared passions, and most importantly, learn about themselves together. We aim to allow our LGBTQ+ community to evolve by creating other safe space options. With exponential growth over the last three years, the success of this festival confirms the need for a space like this. We take great pride in the partnerships we've formed over the years and continue to support the brands we've worked with. We are mission-based and only partner with brands that have a similar ethos to our own. Support the future of Sum of Us with a tax-deductible sponsorship. Apply to be a partner: https://lnkd.in/gNqB6Xmu

Community building is something I am extremely passionate about. Sum of Us Festival is that passion project that fills my cup every year. I am so proud to be on the team that helps bring this space to life ! Our team is looking for partners aligned with our mission, vision and values. Does this sound like you? Let's get in touch. See below from our Owner, Yinka Freeman. Sum of Us Festival attendees deserve the best amenities, accessibility, and programming with expert facilitators and top performers. Do your mission, vision, and values align with ours? Come grow with us. History behind the fest: Sum of Us Festival is the first and largest LGBTQ+ women's and transgender space that focuses on wellness and authenticity for the community that statistically needs it most. The LGBTQ+ community was historically formed in secret, after-hours in bars and nightclubs, so it makes sense that we would still be meeting in those spaces... And so, Sum of Us started because we NEED other options. The festival is a reimagined space where conscious community members can meet friends on a deeper level, find connections based on shared passions, and most importantly, learn about themselves together. We aim to allow our LGBTQ+ community to evolve by creating other safe space options. With exponential growth over the last three years, the success of this festival confirms the need for a space like this. We take great pride in the partnerships we've formed over the years and continue to support the brands we've worked with. We are mission-based and only partner with brands that have a similar ethos to our own. Support the future of Sum of Us with a tax-deductible sponsorship. Apply to be a partner: https://lnkd.in/gNqB6Xmu

Adding the #marketing #pr to spell #pride from the other direction by acknowledging #edi or as I say it: #equality, #equity, #diversity, #inclusion, #Inclusivity, #othering, #belonging and #acceptance. PRIDE an EDI strategy.

We must continue to center and uplift #BIPOC voices in the #LGBTQIA2S* community, and fight for their rights and equality in all realms. From the report: "Here are a few takeaways: - 74.8% of Black LGBTQ+ youth and 78.2% of Black transgender and gender-expansive youth have experienced racism in the LGBTQ+ community. - 80.9% of Black LGBTQ+ youth and 83.5% of Black transgender/gender-expansive youth say they have experienced homophobia or transphobia in the Black community. - 46.5% of Black LGBTQ+ youth wanted therapy but could not receive it." #BlackLGBTQLivesMatter

LGBTQ+ Studies Collection a repository rich in legacy: https://lnkd.in/eZe5du3s

This week, the Human Rights Campaign released a new report which explores how Black LGBTQ+ youth experience the world. We surveyed over 1,200 Black LGBTQ+ youth (ages 13-18, living in the U.S.) to see how their intersecting identities affect their lives and wellbeing, at home and at school. This report reveals troubling trends in the experiences of Black LGBTQ+ youth and shows us there is so much room for improvement. Here are a few takeaways: - 74.8% of Black LGBTQ+ youth and 78.2% of Black transgender and gender-expansive youth have experienced racism in the LGBTQ+ community. - 80.9% of Black LGBTQ+ youth and 83.5% of Black transgender/gender-expansive youth say they have experienced homophobia or transphobia in the Black community. - 46.5% of Black LGBTQ+ youth wanted therapy but could not receive it. It’s my sincere hope that the data this report provides will reveal areas of struggle and adversity and bolster efforts to improve the lives of Black LGBTQ+ youth. It is our responsibility to pave the way for the younger generations and support them as best as we’re able. Black LGBTQ+ youth deserve to be supported and cherished! Read the Black LGBTQ+ Youth Report here: https://lnkd.in/e9hhvZ-d

STLMade! Shop Local at These 23 St. Louis Stores We Love in 2023 You have a lot of places you can shop this season, but when you love local you get uniquely different gifts that keep your spending right here in the metro. Check out this great local shopping guide from the @LadueNews for some ideas: https://bit.ly/3QPXsnG #stlmade   St. Louis receives perfect score in annual Human Rights Campaign equality report St. Louis received a perfect score in the @HRC 2023 Municipal Equality Index for its support of the local queer community. The Index is a comprehensive nationwide assessment of LGBTQ+ equality in communities. More: https://bit.ly/40MxNAM #stlpride   Missouri Technology Corp. invests in 5 St. Louis startups, names new board chair Five #stlmade startups are included in the latest round of funding from @MoTechCorp. The $2.4M in equity funding marks the fourth round of capital from a $95M allocation through the U.S. Treasury Department's State Small Business Credit Initiative. More: https://bit.ly/3SPsgaB  

Black Trans Fund will be part of a webinar hosted via Grantmakers in the Arts on June 18! More details: According to the 2021 Tracking Report published by Funders for LGBTQ Issues, “$78.4 million, 31 percent of overall LGBTQ funding, was allocated to LGBTQ communities of color broadly.” However, LGBT Data & Demographics at the Williams Institute stated that 42% of the LGBT community identify as people of color. Despite reporting more racial diversity than the general adult U.S. population, TQBIPOC (Trans and Queer Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) are challenged with disproportionate inequities such as higher rates of unemployment and housing insecurity. Through this conversation, presenters will share how cultural self-determination is a path for racial, gender, and economic justice. Join J. HunterDae Goodridge (Black Trans Fund, they/them), J Mase III (The Black Trans Prayer Book, he/him), Omni Romero (Pride Foundation, they/them/elle/les), and Morgan (Mo) Willis (Third Wave Fund, she/they) on Tuesday, June 18th at 11am PDT / 2pm EDT to explore the intricate intersections of queer liberation and racial equity, and unveil actionable strategies for funders to uplift TQBIPOC artists and creatives. REGISTER: https://lnkd.in/dtwH48Tb

We understand the vital importance of creating space for LGBTQ+ youth - specifically our Trans and Gender-Non-conforming kids - to show up as their authentic selves. LGBTQ+ you face unique challenges affecting their ability to thrive in adolescence and adulthood: • Fewer than 40% of LGBTQ+ young people found their home to be LGBTQ+-affirming • 41% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year— w/ trans, nonbinary, and/or people of color reporting even higher rates • A majority of LGBTQ+ young people reported being verbally harassed at school because people thought they were LGBTQ+ AND YET -> About half of trans youth found their school and/or home to be gender-affirming, and those who did reported lower rates of attempting suicide. The facts are clear: Supporting LGBTQ+ youth saves lives. BLOG POST Further your support for Trans Youth by planning to donate to our campaign on Nov. 16th on Give to the Max Day: https://lnkd.in/gHBER7Rm #TransYouth #SupportTransYouth