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.”
You Are Viewing Open Calls
Call for Queer Spoken Word and Performance Artists of Color for OUTSPOKEN (Aug 5th)
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on June 18th, 2010
QWOC+ Boston would like to invite local LGBTQI performers and spoken word artists of color to submit their profiles, bios, and experience for performance consideration at OUTSPOKEN, our annual queer people of color spoken word and performance showcase, which takes place this year on Thursday August 5th @ PRECINCT during our 3rd Annual QWOC WEEK.Please send along any materials that will help us learn about your amazing work and we will reach out to you if we foresee an opportunity for you to perform/be involved this year. You may use the guidelines below to submit an inquiry:
Send an email to outspoken@qwocboston.org with the following information:
- SUBJECT: Performer for OUTSPOKEN*
- Full Name + Stage Name (if applicable)
- Phone Number
- Link to online profile/website
- Some past performances
- Brief Bio or Summary of Work
- Please mention how you identify with or support the LGBTQ community of color
Live Music Bands Needed: We are also looking for one or two live music bands to book as entertainment for the evening.
MC Needed: Think you would make a great MC for the event? Please let us know by submitting the information above as well!
Collaborators Needed: We are interested in collaborating with local organizations or producers (of art, music, and theater events) to help make this event a success! If you’re interested in helping us prepare/plan OUTSPOKEN please feel free to reach out to us as well!
OUTSPOKEN Video Project
We have a very special video project this year that we’re also recruiting artists for. All artists that are invited to perform during OUTSPOKEN are eligible to participate. However, if we are unable to feature you during the live performances, we’re still very much interested in showcasing you during QWOC Week via a special video project we’re embarking on.
Again, if you have any questions, please email outspoken@qwocboston.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
Join the QWOC Week 2010 Planning Committee: We’re Recruiting New Organizers!
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on March 24th, 2010
Wanna volunteer for QWOC+ Boston this spring/summer? Below is a list of committees we are currently recruiting for to assemble the QWOC Week Planning Commitee. This is a great opportunity for new-in-towners and/or diversity-conscious community members looking to get plugged in. We’re looking for passionate, committed, and creative people… which we’re pretty sure means you. Join us — it’s fun!
Social Media Team (including “Intern“):
Ideally, the social media team will include at least three individuals responsible for posting events / announcements / messages in each of QWOC+ Boston’s social media profiles i.e. Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, Eventbrite, and our blog, including a list of community calendars and list-servs. This team of social media enthusiasts and well-connected tweeps, will be in charge of driving online promotions and creating a “buzz” around scheduled events. The “Intern” is responsible for social media monitoring, blogging, tweeting, retweeting, and helping QWOC+ Boston maintain an active and interactive online presence. The intern reports to the director.
Street Team (including a “Mayor”):
This team is charged with making sure that the online work of the Social Media Team reaches the community offline. The “Mayor” (AKA Street Team Captain) is in charge of compiling a weekly list of community events for members of the street team to attend, spread the word about QWOC Week, hand out fliers, make new contacts, and be superstars. The street team includes the entire QWOC Week planning committee plus ad-hoc, so the Mayor must possess an endless supply of charm, persuasive power, and organizational skills in order to get a new / alternating set of people to attend events together. The street team keeps QWOC+ Boston’s organizers social.
Community Partnerships Committee:
This committee is responsible for putting out the call for QWOC Week proposals / 3rd Party events (that will go on our calendar), and conducting person-to-person outreach to various like-minded organizations. This includes but not limited to establishing key contacts (e.g. development and outreach staff), presenting new QWOC Week event ideas (via submitted proposals) to the organizers bi-weekly, and soliciting event sponsorships.
Volunteer Committee (including a “Pied Piper”):
This committee is made up of a Pied Piper (AKA Volunteer Coordinator) — the person ultimately responsible for staffing QWOC+ Boston events with volunteers, and two co-chairs that will work with the volunteer coordinator on the recruitment, retention, and appreciation of volunteers. This is a great committee for anyone who’s excited about getting others involved, is good with people, and loves performing miracles.
Secretary (2): We are looking for ideally two people to support QWOC Week planning meetings as our friendly, follow-up, space finding secretary! This role is responsible for scheduling meetings (including space reservations — not hard at all, we promise), sending out meeting reminders, and producing easy-to-read meeting minutes (like this one). The secretary literally keeps us all on the same page! Additionally, the secretary is responsible for taking attendance during meetings, and enforcing committee/sub-committee membership rules.
Mind, Body and Soul Conference Committee (including a “Zen Master”)
This committee includes a Zen Master (AKA Conference Chair), who is responsible for the coordination of the planning and producing of the Mind, Body, Soul Conference, a half-day of concurrent sessions dedicated to exploring mental, physical, and spiritual health as it affects LGBTQ communities of color. Serving on this committee will be a great opportunity for anyone who’s interested in health, community building, conference planning, and/or increasing awareness of health issues within LGBT communities of color. Note: Last year, we scheduled this as an early morning half-day conference, but are considering upscaling, which may mean moving it to the fall (after qwoc week) and launching a one-of-a-kind local conference around LGBT health.
Outdoor Events Committee (including a “Green Guru”)
Parking, permits, and playpens! QWOC Week hosts an outdoor / family-oriented event during QWOC Week every year and we’re looking for earth, wind, and water (please, no fire) enthusiasts (like you!) to make this happen. A pool party, a BBQ, a block party? If you can dream it, you can plan it. The “Green Guru”, in addition to breezing through outdoor activity logistics (such as permits, electric outlets, and hoola hoops), will ensure that we plan an environment-friendly gathering we can be proud of.
Fundraising and Finance Committee (including 2 “Money Makers”)
This committee is responsible for leading a QWOC Week fundraising campaign; responsibilities include but are not limited to planning fundraising events, working with community partnerships committee to solicit donations from local promoters / non-profits, coordinating community wide “Friend-raising”/”Ask” house parties to raise funds, selling products (e.g. T-Shirts) to raise money etc. This committee includes all QWOC Week organizers, but will be overseen by two Money-Makers (AKA Co-Chairs).
QWOC+ Boston Seeks Social Media Marketing Interns for Summer 2010
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on March 23rd, 2010
Social Media Marketing Internship (Summer 2010)
Queer Women of Color and Friends (QWOC+ Boston) is currently seeking two (2) dynamic motivated interns interested in exploring a career in social media marketing. This unpaid internship requires a commitment of 15 hours per week in addition (including mandatory attendance at our weekly planning meetings), but offers a flexible schedule; hours can be worked primarily from home, at night, and on the weekends.
Qualifications of the Idea 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 details 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 Summer:
- You will provide marketing support for our 3rd annual QWOC Week, a week-long festival that involves the concepting, planning, coordination, and execution of at least ten community-building events
- You will learn the basics of email marketing via your contribution (draft and technical support) of our bi-weekly newsletters
- You will brainstorm your very own ideas for leveraging social media to create social change — yes, we’ll give you 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 within the steering 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!
Compensation:
- UNPAID internship
- Academic Credit
- Official Letter of Recommendation
- Complimentary Event Tickets
- Cool Points
If you’re interested, please send your resume to adaora 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
Special Request to the Boston Queer Community: Support Truth Serum During Surgery Recovery
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on February 3rd, 2010
Dear QWOC+ Boston friends,
We’d like to make a personal request:
A fierce QWOC+ supporter/volunteer, dear friend, fellow community organizer, and long-time producer of all kinds of queer, rebellious, funky, limit-pushing events in Boston needs OUR support during her surgery recovery.
Please consider attending one of the fundraising events we’re supporting this weekend and RETURN the love Aliza’s been giving QWOC+ Boston AND the Boston queer community for over ten years…
HERE ARE THE DETAILS:
THIS FRIDAY! February 5, 2010 8pm
Utero-A-GoGo No. 1
a benefit for Aliza Shapiro
at a private residence in the South End
http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php?src=fftb#!/event.php?eid=302506400729&ref=ts
Info @ Truth Serum Website: http://www.truthserum.org/
THIS SUNDAY! February 7, 2010**
Utero-A-GoGo No. 2
a concert and cabaret/drag/burlesque show of hysterical proportions!
Great Scott
1222 Commonwealth Ave Allston (at corner of Harvard)
$10 doors at 8pm, show at 9pm 18+
a limited number of discounted tickets are a
http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php?src=fftb#!/event.php?eid=262744656383&ref=ts
Info @ Truth Serum Website: http://www.truthserum.org/
**If you’re interested in attending with a group, please leave a message on the facebook group or page, or send us a tweet @qwocboston and we’ll make sure everyone gets together!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND, PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION TO uteroagogo@gmail.com. Include a funny haiku note with your offering if you’re feeling creative, Aliza will love it. 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE!
Boston Pride is recruiting a Deputy Director
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on September 30th, 2009
Boston Pride is recruiting a Deputy Director
P R E S S R E L E A SE
[download pdf]
Contact:
Linda DeMarco, President
Boston Pride
hr@bostonpride.org
BOSTON PRIDE COMMITTEE LAUNCHES SEARCH FOR FIRST DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Boston, Mass., September 16, 2009 — After almost 40 years of service to the LGBT Community as an all-volunteer 501c(3) non-profit organization, The Boston Pride Committee is setting out to hire its first-ever full time employee to lead the organization into the future. The Board of Directors is seeking resumes to fill their newly instated position of Deputy Director.
“Boston Pride has always been a grassroots organization and will remain so,” explained Linda DeMarco, Boston Pride President. “More than one million people attended Boston Pride activities last year in events organized solely by a group of volunteers in their spare time. As we begin planning now for our 40th anniversary in 2010, hiring a Deputy Director is just the next step in the evolution of the organization.”
Operating since 1970, Boston Pride is an independent, non-profit agency that serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and allied community by working to enhance visibility through a week of events each June and year-round activities designed to promote LGBT awareness, dignity, and understanding.
The public can learn more about Boston Pride by visiting www.bostonpride.org. Interested candidates should send cover letter, resume and salary requirement to hr@bostonpride.org. The deadline for applying is October 15 with interviews taking place in early November.
###
J O B D E S C R I P T I O N
[download pdf]
What is the Boston Pride Committee? The Boston Pride Committee serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally community. It works to enhance the visibility of Boston’s LGBT community through a week of events each June, in conjunction with year round activities, to promote LGBT awareness, dignity, and understanding.
REPORTS TO: Board of Directors
POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Deputy Director (DD) reports directly to the Board of Directors, and is responsible for the daily administration and management of the Boston Pride Committee (BPC). The DD works with and supports the Board of Directors in: visioning and long-term planning; defining priorities; building and enhancing teamwork among Board members and other volunteer Chairs; developing strong and responsible relationships with Boston’s widely diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities; and maintaining BPC’s grassroots orientation.
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:
- B.S. or equivalent.
- Minimum three years management experience in non-profit sector.
- Minimum three years experience with Boston/New England LGBT community.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with LGBT individuals and organizations across spectrums of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender-identity, disability, socio-economic background, etc.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively and productively with a volunteer board of directors.
- Strong skills and significant experience in staff supervision and development.
- Significant and measurable experience in sponsorship development and maintenance.
- Significant and measurable experience in contract negotiations.
- Experience managing a budget.
CHARACTERISTICS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Strong sense of organization and planning, and ability to manage time well.
- Demonstration of leadership, sense of vision, and ability to motivate others.
- Strong interpersonal skills, and a professional demeanor and presentation.
- Strong verbal and written communication and listening skills.
- Integrity and an ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Demonstrated ability to understand, value, and respect the broad range of diversity within the LGBT communities, and to work collaboratively with diverse individuals and groups to ensure Pride programs and events are inclusive and inviting.
- Ability to multi-task and be in control of numerous tasks at any one time.
- Strong computer skills with a proficiency in Microsoft Office products and email clients. Experience with Adobe software products (Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.) a plus.
- Bilingual a plus.
- Must be flexible, and able to work evenings and weekends as needed.
- Strong public relations skills and experience, including crisis management
- Cognizant of, and sensitive to, the political influences that affect Pride.
- Ability to work with government bodies and civil servants.
Position: Fulltime/Flexible/Salaried.
Salary is commensurate with experience.
About Boston Pride
The Boston Pride Committee is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Meet the Board of Directors and the Chairs of the Committee:
Keri Aulita – Vice President, Board of Directors
vp@bostonpride.org
Sylvain Bruni – Board of Directors
sbruni@bostonpride.org
Malcolm Carey – Board of Directors
mcarey@bostonpride.org
Linda DeMarco – President, Board of Directors
president@bostonpride.org
Pierce Durkin – Clerk, Board of Directors
clerk@bostonpride.org
Kristie Helms – Board of Directors
khelms@bostonpride.org
Wilfred Labiosa – Board of Directors
wlabiosa@bostonpride.org
Heather Mills – Logistics Chair
logistics@bostonpride.org
Cale Moore – Merchandise Chair
merchandise@bostonpride.org
Cat Sauer – Festival Chair
festival@bostonpride.org
“The Boston Pride Committee, serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and allied community, works to enhance the visibility of Boston’s LGBT community through a week of events each June, in conjunction with year-round activities, to promote LGBT awareness, dignity, and understanding.”
Web: www.BostonPride.org
Email: info@bostonpride.org
PrideLine: 617-262-9405
Black Lesbian and Bisexual Adult Women Sought for Participation in Dissertation Study
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on June 29th, 2009
Contribute YOUR voices to the understanding and needs of OUR community.
Graduate student conducting a study examining the experiences of race and sexual orientation in the lives of Black lesbian and bisexual women, encouraging women that meet the following to participate:
- Adult (18+) woman
- Black (US born and/or raised)
- Identify as lesbian, bisexual woman, or as a woman who is sexually and/or romantically attracted to other women (recognizing that the term “lesbian” and/or “bisexual” may not be the terms you use to describe your sexual orientation)
Your participation would consist of two (2) interviews:
- The first interview will include questions about your experience of your race and sexual orientation in communities of Color and in lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB) communities.
- During the second interview you will be asked to provide feedback on your initial answers, general themes found in this study, and you will be asked to complete a brief survey.
Interviews may be face-to-face (depending on your location) or via phone.
If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact queerwomenofcolorstudy@gmail.com or call (617) 245-0833 to schedule an interview time. Additionally, please visit http://sites.google.com/site/queerwomenofcolorstudygroup for further information.
Be HEARD.
QWOC WEEK: Call for LGBTQ Visual Artists of Color – Deadline Extended Till July 10th
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on June 22nd, 2009
OUTside the Box: a Queer People of Color Visual Artist Showcase/Exhibition/Sale Space
In preparation for the second annual QWOC WEEK, presented by Queer Women of Color and Friends (QWOC+ Boston), the organizers of Boston’s multicultural LGBTQ festival (August 3rd-9th 2009) are accepting applications from artists interested in participating in “OUTside the Box: a Queer People of Color Visual Artist Exhibit.”
This year, for the first time, QWOC WEEK is featuring a week-long art exhibition and is accepting applications from regional states, including MA, NH, VT, RI, CT, PA, and NY. There will be space available for 10 artists to show and sell works of fine art, print, photography, high-quality fine crafts, and original art including graphics/drawings, jewelry, textiles, mixed media, sculpture and wood.
The deadline for accepting applications is Monday, July 6th and notification of acceptance is scheduled for Friday, July 17th.
Questions and/or inquiries should be directed to art@qwocboston.org. For more details about QWOC Week, visit http://www.qwocboston.org/
Important Information and Guidelines for Submissions:
This art exhibit will be curated by the QWOC+ Boston Steering Committee. When applying, there is a limit of three submissions per artist.
In the event of acceptance, all participating artists will be required to sign an insurance waiver for work displayed at the exhibit and submit an exhibition/display fee of $30. The artworks will not be insured while on display, so the artist assumes all risk for damage or theft. Images of accepted artworks may also be published on QWOC Week promotional materials online and in print.
The primary intent of the art exhibit is to foster active interaction between regional LGBTQ Visual Artists of Color and QWOC Week participants. Thus, we expect all exhibitors to attend QWOC Week in some capacity.
If you would like to submit your work, please follow the instructions below. Nonconforming submissions will not be entered into the review process.
1. Send 3 images representative of your work. Images should be e-mailed as JPEG files with a dimension of between 500 and 600 pixels in the larger direction.
a. Color images should be in RGB format. Black and white images should be in grayscale format, not RGB, in order to minimize file size.
b. The file names for the images must conform to the following format – Lastname1.JPG e.g. if Maya Upadhi submitted 2 works, the image for her second work would be called Upadhi2.JPG.
2. Give us a list of how many pieces you’d be showing/selling.
3. Your name, phone number, e-mail address.
4. How you identify with or support LGBTQ people of color
5. 2-3 sentences on why your work is a good fit for an exhibit during QWOC Week
Please note that all the artworks should be hand delivered to the exhibit room by 3:00 PM on July 25, 2009. The exhibit participants are also responsible for picking up their works at the end of QWOC Week by Monday August 10th at 6PM.
QWOC WEEK: Call for LGBTQ People of Color Spoken Word and Performance Artists
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on June 15th, 2009
QWOC+ Boston would like to invite local LGBT performers and spoken word artists of color to submit their profiles, bios, and experience for performance consideration at OUTSPOKEN, our annual queer people of color spoken word and performance showcase, which takes place this year on Wednesday August 5th during our 2nd Annual QWOC WEEK.
Please send along any materials that will help us learn about your work and we will reach out to you to discuss your participation if we foresee an opportunity for you to perform/be involved this year. You may use the guidelines below to submit an inquiry:
Send an email to events@qwocboston.org with the following information:
- SUBJECT: Performer for OUTSPOKEN*
- Full Name + Stage Name (if applicable)
- Phone Number
- Link to online profile/website
- Some past performances
- Brief Bio or Summary of Work
- Please mention how you identify with or support the LGBTQ community of color
Note: Individual musicians/bands/DJs will also be considered for this event. Furthermore, if you think you would make a great MC for the event, please contact us!
We look forward to hearing from you!
Facebook Disabled QWOC+ Boston’s Account: Please Write Them on Our Behalf
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on May 20th, 2009
As it turns out, Facebook has disabled QWOC+ Boston’s account and is claiming that we violated some terms of use. This appears to be highly suspect given the number of times we were unable to access the account over the past couple of days, and the number of times an organizer had to request a password reset. We think that they shut us down due to the perception that someone else was trying to gain access to the account.
We need your help! We know how LONG it takes facebook to respond to inquiries – we can’t afford this delay right before pride season – but we also know that they are VERY responsive to grassroot movements. So, we are asking YOU to write to them at disabled@facebook.com with the subject: “Please Re-Enable QWOC Boston’s Facebook Account!” and tell them that they are ridding the community of a very valuable resource just before pride season.
After you’ve done this, please update your facebook/myspace/twitter status with the following message:
Facebook disabled QWOC Boston’s account! Please help them get it re-enabled by emailing disabled@facebook.com with the header “Please Re-Enable QWOC Boston’s Facebook Account!” and a few other kind words about the group! Diversity Speaks. Spread the word.
In the meantime, please check the website/twitter for updates. Our facebook group is still alive and well, so if you hadn’t joined it, now is the time to do so!
