From a QWOC in Japan: “I have learned that I cannot do it on my own and that as much as I perhaps took credit for what I knew and what I learned, I realize that I always had a constant source of support to fall back on. Now that these friends – my family – are many miles away, I am left to navigate this world, for the first time, as a true outsider.”
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Get On the Bus 2-Month Tour Targeting Religious-Based LGBT Oppression
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on July 14th, 2011
“Maybe you just needed a little dick”, said a catholic mother to her youngest child, a lesbian, after it had been revealed this particular 16 year old had been raped for the second time. As a youth worker in the LGBTQ community, I have had to bear witness to many awful and disgusting forms of abuse from parents that kick their kids out on the streets, medical organizations that refuse to treat transgender clients, educators that call their students faggots, dykes and worse…What is hard for many people to hear when I retell these stories of abuse, is that often the abusers acting in these situations are doing so out of love- often in the name of God. I heard a poet ask once, what the world would look like with more love. Well, this is what the world looks like when faith and love are used as weapons.
From government sanctioned discrimination to the internalized force that drives many in our community to drugs and alcohol, it has become my belief that the number one way to create a society that is safe for all folks regardless of their sexuality/gender identity is to address religious based oppression. We cannot sit idly by and avoid the religious debate. We must welcome it. Face it head on. We must create a worldwide dialogue in which we reach beyond people’s intellectual selves and touch them where their morality and compassion lies. For many, this is the function of their faith.
The organization I work for, Soulforce (www.soulforce.org), is a national agency that targets religious-based oppression impacting LGBTQ people. Every 2 years or so, we organize a two- month bus ride around the country for folks 18-30. On this social justice excursion we stop at various religious universities and organizations that have anti-LGBTQ policies. From there, we
hold dialogues, trainings and information sessions with members of those organizations and surrounding community members on creating safer and more affirming spaces. This being our biggest program, the Equality Ride was started in 2006 and has helped to change policies and anti-LGBTQ practices at institutions all over the country.
Currently, we have an open application process for the 2012 ride that closes the 1st week of August. I would like to challenge each and every one of you that seeks to create lasting tangible change for LGBTQ people to consider getting on that bus. As a Black/Trans activist and educator, I know the impact I have seen in my community when we are able to walk people through these very important discussions. Whether you claim Christian like my mother, Muslim as my father, Atheist as my sister or simply aren’t sure where you fall on the spectrum yet- you are welcomed here. We want folks of all kinds, colors, ablenesses and backgrounds. This is
where change happens. Do you have what it takes to get on the bus?
Highest Regards,
Mason
J. Mason
Program Coordinator
Soulforce Inc.
Mason@soulforce.org
www.soulforce.org
Call for Panelists for Spectra Events “LGBT in Business” Series
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on March 18th, 2011
Spectra Events’ Power Lesbians Network and MassChallenge are hosting the LAUNCH of the “LGBT in Business” series!
We invite you to join us for a series of panel discussions — complete with networking — about all things startup, entrepreneurship, and organizational development. Events will feature the opportunity to share expertise and ideas via themed panels on topics such as “Social Media Marketing”, “Branding and Identity”, “The Pros and Cons of the LGBT Niche”, “Effective Networking” and much more!
CALL FOR FEATURED SPEAKERS AND “QURUs”
Featured Speakers own/run their own startup, brand, or business and will get the opportunity to share their experiences via our opening panel; we are specifically looking for people to share stories about how they grew their businesses or overcame specific challenges.
Qurus will serve as moderators for the small group break out sessions; they are experts and as such will be more valubale as group facilitators on the topics of their expertise. If you are interested in being a Quru, then you must be prepared to answer questions from inquiring minds and guide the small-group discussion.
QUALIFYING CRITERIA
- You must identify as a member of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and/or Queer community; there are many events in Boston geared towards startups and small business owners, but not many that seek to intentionally empower and educate the LGBTQ community in the areas of business and commerce.
- Your business or startup must have existed for at least a year (even if unofficially). Your tax documents are of no concern to us. Your creative mind, drive, and perseverance carry much more value.
- No business is too small to participate; solopreneurs are welcome. We are looking for individuals who have experiences to share — success and fail stories are equally as valuable as long as they can illustrate learning moments in easily digestible ways.
- All sectors are welcome to participate, including startups from the non-profit sector, social enterprises, new media and technology projects, and non-traditional careers such as in music, the arts, hospitality etc are VERY welcome!
RSVP and Submit Your Profile for Consideration HERE
Join the Queer Women of Color Pride Week Planning Committee for 2011
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on February 25th, 2011
QWOC Week is a week-long multicultural pride festival of art, music, performance, health, and social justice events intended primarily for LGBTQ women and transgender people of color. This year, QWOC Week is scheduled for Friday July 29th – Sunday August 7th.
Were you a part of QWOC Week last year? Would you like to be?
Then come on out! We are currently in the process of assembling this year’s QWOC Week Planning Committee. This is a great opportunity for new transplants to the area and/or diversity-conscious community members looking to get plugged in! We’re looking for passionate, creative, and committed people… which could totally mean you!
Our first meeting will be held on Wednesday the 30th at 6:30pm:
ANDALA Cafe
286 Franklin Street
Cambridge MA 02139
Email volunteer@qwocboston.org to RSVP
We need a diverse range of skills and interests to make QWOC Week happen; using social media (like Facebook and Twitter!) to keep our lines of communication open, making contacts, and making awesome ideas into reality! Fundraising prowess, experience producing art, music, and performance events, youth organizing, healthy advocacy, and interest in press/publicity are also welcome!
Really, we believe in strength-based team building, so we’d love to have you join us in our efforts, with whatever skills/passion you bring to the table 
Did you know? QWOC+ Boston is turning 5 years old this year! It’s an important milestone for us, and we would love to have you on board with us as we celebrate
Call for Submissions!! Chica Press’s Best Lesbian Erotica 2012
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on February 19th, 2011
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Do you love to write erotica? Have you ever thought about publishing your work? Chica Press is looking for erotica in the form of short stories and poems to be published on our Web site, some of which will be chosen for publication in Chica Press’s Best Lesbian Erotica 2012.
Please send your short story (no more than one) or poem/s (no more than three) as a Word doc attachment to chicapressonline@gmail.com, with the word “submission” in the subject line. In the body of your e-mail, please provide a short bio, complete publishing history (if any), and all pen names in use.
Formatting of manuscript: Please use Times New Roman in 12-point size.
Do not include any special headers and footers on manuscript pages
such as title, author name, or chapter/section or page number. Please
use Microsoft Word as your word-processing program. One-inch margins
on all sides are required. All pages of a manuscript must be double
spaced. Please use only ONE SPACE between sentences and words.
Chica Press will respond to all proposals or queries in as timely a
manner as possible. Please be patient while awaiting a reply.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS! 2011 National LGBT People of Color Health Summit
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on February 19th, 2011
Abstract applications now available! Applications will be accepted until July 13, 2011. Notification of selected abstracts will be given no later than August 17, 2011.
Introduction
The focus of the 2011 National LGBT People of Color Health Summit is Living at the Intersections. As a result of the complex interplay among the intersections of different identities and communities of LGBT People of Color, particular attention and respect must be paid to the multiplicities that exist in people’s lives; segmenting ourselves for the comfort of others is unacceptable. (Intersections Consulting)
The choice of Living at the Intersections as a focus for our next Summit is based on the understanding that a twenty first century leadership in our many movements must insist on a liberation framework, a human rights framework, an intersectional politics, in the lived world, not as an academic trope. It can no longer be that racism is what Black people deal with or immigration what Latinos deal with or sex what queers deal with or gender identity what trans people deal with.
It can no longer be that people with disabilities are the only ones fighting to create safe spaces for differently abled bodies. It can no longer be that the professionalized women’s, gay, immigration and civil rights movements stay in their damn silos. Poverty, violence, stigma, racism and hatred are the shared experience of millions of people thrown to the margins not just by the rich, white, heterosexual elite, but by some of our own LGBT people.
The leadership we must develop, support and embrace is one that understands the liberated body has to live through many identities and in many movements. The liberated body is free. It is not raped by poverty or racism. It is not denuded, violated or disparaged by bigots. It is not isolated or hidden away from public life because it is old or disabled. It is not denied the right to reproduce or not reproduce. It is not denied the right to change itself through medical intervention or physical presentation. The liberated body is strong. It is proud. It is Feminist. It is our hope that the content and experience of this summit will reflect this vision and deeper our understanding of the work we need to do.
The Health Summit consists of three tracks:
- Education and Capacity Building
- Advocacy and Public Policy
- Wellness and Treatment
The Health Summit Abstract Application should be used for the submission of abstracts for panel presentations and workshops. Each abstract must be related to one specific track and reflect the theme of this year’s Summit. Please indicate whether the abstract is for a panel presentation or workshop. The abstract cannot include both. Each abstract should also reference one or more of the following populations and/or issues:
- AIDS/HIV prevention;
- Spirituality/Culture in the LGBT POC community;
- Harm Reduction;
- Mental Health;
- Violence in LGBT POC relationships;
- Transgender POC health care concerns;
- Youth-centered programs concerning suicide prevention, sexual health, and more;
- Sexual Health;
- Substance abuse prevention;
- Current barriers to accessing health care, and how to advocate for change in Health Policies
Read more at www. unitythroughdiversity.com
Spectra Speaks To Interview International LGBT Human Rights Leaders for Black History Month
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on January 19th, 2011
For Immediate Release:
Spectra Speaks, founding director of QWOC+ Boston and award-winning LGBT activist, is interested in interviewing LGBT POC leaders in the US and human rights activists around the world as part of the QWOC Talk Project.
If you’re an LGBT activist/leader based in the US, who is part of the (or works closely with) the LGBT people of community, or a human rights activist working to further the fight for LGBT equality and acceptance in any part of the world, you are invited to participate in this interview series.
The project launches in February, and in solidarity with Black History Month, will feature interviews from Black LGBT Leaders across the country (from New England to the West Coast) and the globe (spanning various parts of Africa and Europe).
Note from Spectra:
“Too often, we lose momentum in movements due to lack of mentorship and access to the wealth of knowledge held collectively by our leadership. I’m interested in speaking with individuals who are working in various capacities to improve the livelihood of their communities because I believe that through these people, we can all learn something, even if it is that we — as leaders — are not alone in the struggle for acceptance and eventually, equality.
So whether or not you’re featured in your local newspaper, part of 501c3 organization or proudly unaffiliated, creating change legally or socially, speaking out via Op-Eds or through your craft as an artist, remember that you are an important part of the LGBT movement. You ARE an important asset to all of us, and I’d be honored to hear from you.”
Please submit some preliminary information HERE and you will receive an email if you’re profile aligns with the mission of this project. This could take anywhere from 1-3 weeks depending on interest and interview schedules, which will be conducted via phone, in-person (depending on location), email, or Skype.
Spread the word.
- Spectra Speaks Blog: http://www.spectraspeaks.com/
- Follow on Twitter: @spectraspeaks #diversityspeaks
- Email: warriorwoman (at) spectraspeaks (dot) com
CALL FOR QUEER WOMEN AND TRANSGENDER PEOPLE OF COLOR + INTERNATIONAL BLOGGERS
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on January 9th, 2011
The founder of QWOC+ Boston (Spectra, www.spectraspeaks.com) is seeking writers, bloggers, poets, visual artists who identify as part of the global queer women (including transgender people) of color community and are excited about contributing to a collective blog of our diverse voices, creative expression, and shared experiences.
Whether or not you describe yourself as a writer, we strongly encourage
you to submit your profile HERE for consideration. This is not an academic forum. We will not be accepting excerpts of dissertations / academic papers of any kind. We’re looking for writers who are interested in exploring fun, touchy, or controversial topics such as gender roles and masculinity, interracial dating within the queer community, organizing strategies for LGBT communities of color, international LGBT campaigns, homophobia, culture and religion etc. We also welcome sharp, witty, review of art and media as it relates to the experience of queer people of color in the US and around the world.
Our mantra is diversity speaks — we bring all parts of ourselves to the table — so we’d be 
especially excited about pieces that dare to tackle multiple facets of our lives in one sitting.
Excited yet? Great! Please fill out this form and you will receive an email in January with next steps for developing your ideas / pitching new ones and getting published within our blog. Thanks in advance for your interest!
Spread the word.
http://www.qwocboston.org/
Twitter: @qwocboston #diversityspeaks
QWOC+ Boston Seeks Student Interns for Fall 2010!
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on August 25th, 2010
We are currently accepting applications for the following TWO (2) internship positions for Fall 2010! We promise you a rewarding experience filled with learning, mentorship, sisterhood, and food! If you don’t believe us, ask our summer 2010 intern, Erika Turner. Read what she has to say in her last summer blog post. Deadline for first round is Monday September 13th! ———- A) Social Media Marketing Internship (Fall 2010)
Queer Women of Color and Friends (QWOC+ Boston) is currently seeking a dynamic, motivated intern interested in deepening their expertise in social media marketing. This unpaid internship requires a commitment of just 5-10 hours per week, including mandatory attendance at our bi-monthly planning meetings, and offers a student-friendly flexible schedule; hours can be worked primarily from home, at night, and on the weekends.
Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate:
- You are a high school, undergraduate or graduate student
- You are a member or active ally to the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LBGTQI) community
- You have excellent writing and communication skills — you can crank out a newsletter AND hold your own in a meeting
- You possess hands-on experience with popular social media applications like Twitter, Digg, Facebook, and YouTube
- You have at least a basic understanding of blogging tools like WordPress, Blogspot, or Drupal
- Your attention to detail is almost supernatural
- You are passionate about social justice and have several organizational affiliations and committees to show for it!
- You enjoy working within a team, but cherish your very own mini-projects
Did you nod your head at most (or all) of the statements above? If so, then we’d LOVE to consider you for one of our summer social media internships!
What You Will Accomplish This Fall:
- You will provide marketing and communications support for our Fall Programming, which includes concepting, planning, coordination, and execution of a variety of community-building events (e.g. monthly discussion series, networking socials, holiday party etc)
- You will learn the basics of email marketing via your contribution (draft and technical support) of our monthly newsletter
- You will brainstorm your very own ideas for leveraging social media to create social change — yes, we’ll give you (and your co-intern) your very own project/event to plan
- You will author blog posts and reblog relevant media articles
- You will post frequent tweets and master the art of engaging users via Twitter
- You will learn to identify potential PR opportunities
- You will work alongside the core team of organizers committee to explore ways in which we might engage our user community both within our existing sites and on external social media platforms
- You WILL have so much fun, and be able to talk about it on your resume. [If you do a great job] You will earn at least one solid letter of recommendation!
B) Development and Fundraising Internship (Fall 2010) Queer Women of Color and Friends (QWOC+ Boston) is currently seeking an outgoing, creative, and self-motivated intern excited about relationship and partnership building, community engagement, outreach strategy, and fundraising. This unpaid internship requires a commitment of just 5-10 hours per week, including mandatory attendance at our bi-monthly planning meetings, and offers a student-friendly flexible schedule; hours can be worked primarily from home, at night, and on the weekends. Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate:
- You are a high school, undergraduate or graduate student
- You are a member or active ally to the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LBGTQI) community
- You have excellent writing and communication skills (punctuation, formatting for easy-reading, brevity, are all things you’ve considered for yourself and others)
- You are excited about social networking, partnership building, and nurturing existing relationships (read: people person)
- You’re addicted to email; people can count on receiving a response from you within the hour!
- You’re a practical visionary: BIG ideas, BIG goals, BIG challenges, but you meet them head on using your efficient and pragmatic approach to execution
- You are passionate about social justice and have several organizational affiliations and committees to show for it!
- You enjoy bringing individuals, groups, and ideas together; it’s all sooo exciting!
- You would be a good sales person
Did you nod your head at most (or all) of the statements above? If so, then we’d LOVE to consider you for one of our summer social media internships!
What You Will Accomplish This Fall:
- You will provide liaison and communications support for our Fall Programming, which includes concepting, planning, coordination, and execution of a variety of community-building events (e.g. monthly discussion series, networking socials, holiday party etc)
- You will brainstorm and implement your very own fundraising ideas — yes, we’ll give you (and your co-intern) your very own project/event to plan
- You will learn to identify potential partnership building / collaboration opportunities
- You will work alongside the core team of organizers committee to materialize/implement strategic goals and event ideas; you’ll get to take the lead on “making things happen”
- You WILL have so much fun, and be able to talk about it on your resume. [If you do a great job] You will earn at least one solid letter of recommendation!
INTERNSHIP COMPENSATION:
- UNPAID
- Academic Credit
- Official Letter of Recommendation
- Complimentary Event Tickets
- Cool Points and Free Food
If you’re interested in applying to either of these positions, please send your resume to internships at qwocboston dot org. Include the following info in the body of the email (or we won’t read/respond to your application):
- First and Last Name
- Name of Institution
- Contact Info (Email and Phone Number)
- How did you hear about this internship opportunity?
- Do you blog? Give us your website.
- Do you tweet? List your Twitter handle.
- What social justice cause are you most concerned about? Is it different from the one you donate most of your time/money to? If so, tell us why. If not, well then tell us how your passion for this cause has translated to action (i.e. how do you support/promote it?). Please respond to this question in 5 sentences or less. This isn’t a college essay — we just wanna gauge your level of commitment
Call for Graphic Designers for QWOC Week
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on June 25th, 2010
Are you a graphic designer looking to increase your portfolio? Please consider donating your talent to QWOC+ Boston in support of our 3rd Annual QWOC Week.
We have slots for thirteen events during QWOC Week and we need flyers for all of them, yep, ALL of them. No, don’t run away just yet! We’re not asking you to design all thirteen, but you can help by designing one or two maybe? Depending on your experience, how many flyers you wish to take on, we may be able to offer a small payment in return.
This is a great opportunity to exercise your craft, gain free promotion for your work to our network of over 1000 members, work with some amazing people, and did we mention free promo?
Please email volunteer@qwocboston.org with the subject Graphic Designer
Posted in Open Calls
Call for Workshop Proposals for Mind, Body, and Soul Health Conference for LGBT People of Color
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on June 25th, 2010
Ever have one of those days, weeks, months where you feel tired mentally, physically, and spiritually? Ever feel like you needed some inspiration, some information, some type of organization is your life? We feel you.
QWOC+ is happy to announce this year’s Mind, Body, and Soul Conference – chicken soup for the LGBTQI Person of Color soul. The conference will be held at Simmons College, with co-sponsorship from Simmon’s Institute for Leadership and Change, on Saturday, July 31st.
But we need you to make it happen. We’re looking for proposals from individuals. health practitioners, experienced community organizers, and non-profit organizations who are willing to engage in real talk about the health of marginalized group within the queer community.
Here are a few of our ideas:
1) Nutrition
2) Feng Shui
3) Herbal Medicine
4) Sex
5) Self-Development
6) Building Healthy Communities/Relationships
7) Exercise/Physical Exercise
Healing for Trauma
9) Spirituality
10) Your idea of what’s most relevant to the queer community of color
To get a better idea of what we’re looking for, check out information on last year’s conference: 2009 Mind, Body, and Soul Mini-Conference
Proposals should include the following information:
1) Title
2) Session Overview
3) The Why: Please elaborate on how you think this topic is relevant / how it would contribute to the conference
4) What do you hope to achieve with your session?
Note: No need to worry about finalized details — we just want the general idea and will work with you to fully develop your session if it is selected.
*Presentations should be for at least one hour, and at most an hour and a half.
Please send proposals and inquiries to: mbs@qwocboston.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
