Queerly ME

Queerly ME is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the state of Maine, United States. The organization is dedicated to fostering strong support networks and strengthening community belonging for LGBTQIA+ adults. Its mission focuses on creating and increasing visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community, improving resource accessibility, and promoting community building through outdoor programming.

Mission and Initiatives

Queerly ME's core initiatives include:

• LGBTQIA+ Visibility: This initiative is primarily met through a photo-documentary project that shares stories and experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Maine on their social media and website platforms, helping to deepen community connections.
• Resource Accessibility: Queerly ME has developed a comprehensive directory of resources specifically for and by the LGBTQIA+ community in Maine. The directory encompasses various categories such as wellness services, businesses, performers, writers, creators, and social clubs.
• Community Building Outdoors: The organization offers a range of outdoor programs, including walks and hikes, educational workshops, overnight retreats, and social events. These programs are designed to facilitate meaningful connections within the LGBTQIA+ community across Maine's rural and underserved regions.

Programs and Events

Queerly ME organizes numerous events throughout the year to provide safe spaces for connection and outdoor exploration. Their most popular program is the "Trail Mixers," which began in collaboration with the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust in 2022. These seasonal walks have expanded across Maine, offering opportunities for community members to engage with nature and each other. Other events include "Breakfast & Birding" excursions and educational activities like entomology walks.

Values

The organization operates based on several key values:

• Accessibility: Ensuring that programs and spaces are accessible to all members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
• Intersectionality: Recognizing and addressing the diverse experiences within the community.
• Community: Fostering strong, supportive networks among LGBTQIA+ adults.
• Representation: Promoting visibility and inclusion of diverse identities.
• Land Stewardship: Encouraging respect and care for the natural environments where their activities take place.

Impact

By creating inclusive spaces, both online and offline, Queerly ME aims to dismantle historical barriers that have marginalized the LGBTQIA+ community in outdoor settings. Through its initiatives and events, the organization seeks to empower LGBTQIA+ individuals to engage with nature authentically and build lasting connections within their community.