We are in the heat of the season for festivals and preparation for Burning Man. Next week is EDC is Vegas, the BAAAHS Campout is coming up. So much happening all at once and it is so exciting, especially after 3 years of being trapped in our caves. Our organization became a non-profit during that same down time in 2020 and we have been working behind the curtain to develop what we could with the welfare of our community one-hundred percent in the focus of that goal.
When we wrote the vision statement for our organization, it was Nexus who helped us create that where we said essentially: our mission is complete when the community no longer needs what we are working for. Some might say, well, what have you been working on? Our primary mission is creating safe and accountable spaces and providing access for people from all walks of life. We almost always us NOTAFLOF (No One Turned Away For Lack Of Funds) when we talk about pricing and always make every effort to make sure all of our community is represented.
Last year we were able to produce an amazing series called the Rainbow Leadership Series in 4 parts that was held on Zoom. We gave away Grants for the first time to some great projects. When we wanted to do a camping event, it seemed that people were not ready for that so we decided to wait a year.
This year (2023) we tried to repeat that progress. Either our voices (meaning me and the board) are not reaching people through our Facebook Channel, Twitter, Insta, and Mailchimp, or people have moved on and don’t need what we are doing anymore. At the end of May 2023 we had two events planned that no one responded to. I ran into one of the biggest voices of this community this week amd when we spoke they did not know anything about it, so where did we go wrong?
The only way Queerburners works it through it’s participants. Everyone has a voice here and those of us on the board are very good about keeping things balanced. Why? Because all of us see the world from different places and do not always agree, but we have a common goal and work together well. If a person is disruptive to that, they made their own exit. But, we work well together with a collective process of sharing and having the safety of expressing an opinion or feeling.
As the current chair and founder of Queerburners, I have not always been an ideal leader, but I hope people can always feel safe talking to me and carrying the banner that was initially raised in 2008 and accomplished so much! If you want to contribute and help us develop programming for the community that supports all across the rainbow, please send us an email to info [at] queerburners [dot] org
Queerburners is a service organization focused on LGBTQIA+ burners and our allies creating safe and accountable spaces for every person in that acronym and more.
We start a new calendar year following the big event in Black Rock City every year because we are also looking ahead to the future and setting the tone and direction we want to go.
We are a consensus based organization and everyone who attends a meeting has a voice. We vote by majority, but we are exceedingly open to view points some of us might know need to be heard.
Where am I going with that?
We need more help in order to continue – and there are roles for people to play if you can.
The board is largely CIS, white and male TBH. We would like to see more representation from the people who identify from more letters of LGBTQIA and people of color.
We need help with our communications and event production to meet some lofty goals for next year.
In 2022 – We sponsored and ran 2 local events in the bay area to hook up campers with camps and visa versa to great success – We also saw our camp directory on our website get spectacular attention and were able to help continue networking people and camps – We produced 4 Zoom workshops called the Rainbow Leadership Summit that can currently be seen on our YouTube Channel and our website – We gave out grants to projects headed to Waking Dreams in a way we have never been able to before
Queerburners was originally founded in 2008 as Gayburners and evolved a lot over time. I had a lot of help along the way, but through community support we were able to keep going to produce a variety of events over the last thirteen years.
We produced – 4 LGBTQIA regional style events in 2015, 16, 17 and 18. – Leadership conferences in 2012, 16 and 2018 – And many local events in the bay area…
The future demands we do more in more regionally if we are successful in supporting our mission beyond one region.
We currently have about twenty Facebook groups for people all over the world to network. This is more than just getting ready for the big burn, these spaces are a chance for local producers and community leaders to rally and carry on the mission of Queerburners.
To be clear, our mission is simply to build community through events and education. To promote leadership. And to stand in solidarity to assure we are being heard for our collective safety and welfare in the greater community. We are not an authority or representation of the Borg. But we will stand together and make our needs known like we did in 2016.
Grants
This year we gave out two grants and a well-deserved donation to a project we really loved.
Gender Blender received a grant from us to help promote their message and support their education and performance programs on playa. We love the work Ariel and her crew do off and on-playa through their active programming.
And Moonlight Outpost who served soup from a Soup Cart on deep playa bringing Asian and Queer culture together in a way that shares the best of both worlds.
We made a donation to one of the most talked about projects at Burning Man this year called The Afterlife by Blitzy, Chickpea and a group of amazing volunteers.
Changes
Truthfully, since the pandemic with Corona virus we have been changed as a community. There has been a thematic shift in the priorities and what we need and expect. Not just from each other, but our leadership. There were a LOT of new camps placed this year. There were a lot of smaller camps who were part of bigger camps that broke free to create their own spaces.
How we burn has shifted. What we need for self care and what we can give has changed too. My own priorities have changed, and as I speak to different people in our community I can testify to the huge shift in what we hold dear.
Acknowledgements
That is why when I admire how some of the leadership in our community are able to marshall tremendous resources and create with so much passion, I am left in awe, I have to send out a few shout-outs before I go tonight.
Christian Williams who had brought the BAAAHS sheep out there year after year actively supporting other projects, social causes and community along the way and how he is able to get so many people behind him. Mary from Tomorrow Lambs for her success in building her own camp and making it such a presence on playa for 2022 Comfort and Joy for always demonstrating their commitment to the values we hold dear and work so hard to lead Dr. Dilemma aka Mark who actively does so much for the Queerborhoods behind the scenes and works hard for the BMorg Rui Rita and his people from Glamcocks who, with his team, always delivers mind blowing architecture and events And Ariel Vergosen from Gender Blender who gives constantly in producing educational and entertainment programming, not to mention a safe place for people who are Trans, Gender Non Conforming and Questioning bodies on the playa.
Conclusion
Queerburners need more engagement from the community and people who might drive the ship into the next generation. We have been actively looking for people with the desire and ability to take this to the next level.
Simply put, the thirteen years Queerburners has existed and evolved is not the same institution that can coast into the future. Our services are for the strength and success of the people we serve.
You can find recruitment links on our website queerburners.org, sign up for our mailing list on the same link, and find all kinds of information.
Here are some ideas for camps to manage boundaries. Thank you Bernadette Bohan for the images. (More below)
Camps preparing for Burning Man this year are taking the extra steps to establish policies for fellow campers and visitors to their camps. Everyone is buzzing about the things you need to be ready for when hitting the dust. Burning Man put out a policy statement in their blog stating their position.
The biggest elephant in the room right now is Covid. The current strain is causing havoc in the world right now but thankfully the serious nature of the infection is reduced that, many people have received the vaccine. Not to make the situation sound less than it is, but it is important we honor our own care and the safety and health of our community.
Be up to date on Covid vaccinations and be prepared to show if asked for it*
Take and show a negative over the counter Covid test before heading to the burn*
Bring up to 4 over the counter tests with you. Camps are working on policies to handle surprise positive tests*
thank you queer camp leads from AstroPups, Gaylactic Village, Future Turtles and more.
*these are not Burning Man policies, but camp leads are talking and sharing policies on how to approach these health issues facing all of us right now.
Monkeypox
There seems to be a lot of mystery surrounding the vaccine. One of the biggest ones is where to get it. Slowly those resources are opening but, they are extremely slow. Here are some resources that might be useful for people looking for anything they can find. The CDC has some guidelines.
Community-maintained Monkeypox Info hub (more nationally and internationally relevant) https://www.monkeypox.fyi/
thank you Eric Borosmo
“Compelling data from monkey and human studies suggest a single dose of the vaccine—produced by Bavarian Nordic and sold under three different brand names—solidly protects against monkeypox, and that the second dose mainly serves to extend the durability of protection.”
There are still mixed reviews by professionals about the viability of the single dose theory. This article is not offering any facts, medical advice or knowledge of these issues. Use the resources in our community and talk to your leadership about the steps they will take for your community, camp, or other group well-being.
Camps with Policies
Astropups, according to Russ, will be releasing a new policy next week we will post here. According to Russ: “What’s in it? Guidance for our campers for (Before the Burn, Travel to Playa, On Playa, and Return Travel, as appropriate) with regard to Covid19, MPX, Consent, STI, and Food Handling.” “Note: we are requiring everyone to be vaxxed for C19, and are encouraging (and assisting where possible) MPX vaccination.”
Mystopia folks have a very flushed out policy guide they are leading with and have published <click here to see in google docs<. Accrording to James: “Our goal is to keep rapidly spreading infectious issues to a minimum. While we are concerned about COVID and MonkeyPox, the regular stomach flu and common colds are of concern and actually more common. A LOT of symptoms can feel… well… just like Burning Man, so pay attention to yourself and others. Checking in on campmates is a huge component of camp health.”
Supporting our diverse, intersectional queer community, including trans, non-binary, and people of color, through Radical Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity at Burning Man.
Every burn year since …. way back… I produced a map placing camps based on the addresses camps published after they were released from Placement. A few people asked about it and I was very glad to do it again. Here is version 1!
It is all done in fun. There are probably more details that camps might have, but this shows how we are distributed in the city. It is important for a variety of reasons.
Where are the queers at? How do we find out own. As radically inclusive as we are, there are a lot of queer people who want (even temporarily) to be among like people. And part of the whole deal is we also welcome the un-like people.
The Queerborhood provides a valuable service and brings a unique energy to Black Rock City. It is vital to protect and nurture that. It is vital to curate and welcome new participants.
A 2015 survey from Black Rock Census showed us that a third of the city identified as queer, which is telling in a lot of ways. Whether it is a population who is actually non-straight or a co-opting of the word queer because cultural norms have shifted.
Updated should be made at www.blog.queerburners.org/directory with a camp submission. The next update will come out within a week.
Where: Online only When: April 21, from 8pm to 9pm or later as needed How: Register for direct access on Eventbrite Who: As of 4/10 leads from BAAAHS, C&J, GlamCocks, Camp Beaverton, Gender Blender (Queerdome)
I invited select leaders in the community from some of the most known camps to speak about the Queerborhood in recent history and share ideas for the new age we have entered post covid (an assumption and maybe an unrealistic view). How can we help open a path to better collaboration and presentation without curating ourselves into a corner away from intrinsically inspired content that is spontaneous and inviting.
Register on Eventbrite to get direct access through ZOOM: Eventbrite Link (Donations will help us fund this and future projects)
The Queerborhood in 7:30 has gone through a lot of evolution over time and continues to shapeshift. The splitting of Queerborhoods in 2019 was the first major change.
The 4:30 Queerborhood anchored by BAAAHS was not the only Queerborhood that emerged over the years. Users have often generated spaces grown and fostered out of a need for safety and community. This includes Burner Buddies and others over time.
On Thursday on April 21 8pm, I am inviting a panel to talk about Burning Man 2022. What are the needs of th Queer community and how do leaders in those sectors want to inspire, enrich and mentor our community into more enriching and accountable space.
On March 26 we do a Zoom meeting with Placement and OSS as the headliner. (1.5 to 2 hours) Queerburners presents a series of programs to prepare for return to the playa in 2022 and to make our Queerborhoods shine by inspiring collaboration, resource sharing, and community and culture building together.
– 13:00 We start at 1pm with Toaster welcoming people to the Rainbow Leadership Series – 13:05 Level: Placement and the Queerborhoods – 13:20 Q&A – 13:25 Galaxy and President talk about OSS and a new program for reducing our impact on the playa with new power solutions – 13:40 Q&A – 13:45 Farmer: to talk about storage and other services available in Gerlach and Empire that he wants Queer Camps to be aware of – 14:00 AJ from Gerlach: Wants to talk about Gerlach Gay Pride
Farmer will talk about a growing Queer Culture in Gerlach We are asking everyone to register through Eventbrite so the we have a an accountable audience and limit potential spammers and disruptors. We will have someone monitoring and stacking hands for Q&A.
– April – Queerborhoods – May – Queerstory w/ Harley K DuBois – June – RiDE the Rainbow, a RIDE initiative
Hi its Ariel (Trixie) and I’m inviting you to Gender Blender on March 25 in Oakland!
Details here – After two long years of being six feet apart we are thrilled to be making our Cumback!!! You waited so patiently, and we’re DELIGHTED to invite you to Gender Blender’s long-awaited CUMback play and dance party! This party is for people of all genders with a priority on creating a safer, consent-focused space for trans, genderqueer, GNC + questioning folks to get their groove on. Our play parties offer a sensuous space to explore, indulge, and celebrate what turns you on. It’s gonna be hot, intimate, & kinky!
Chill in the BYOB bar, get down on the dance floor, enjoy performances by trans and genderqueer artists, meet new friends, or kink it up, well, anywhere! All levels of play are welcome, from first-timers to sexperts~
DOORS OPEN 8 PM OPENING CIRCLE 8:30 PM PERFORMANCES PLAY SPACES OPEN 9 PM ~PLAY! DANCE! REVELRY!~ DOORS CLOSE MIDNIGHT WRAP IT UP 2 AM
Private event. 21+. BYOB.
Proof of vax + negative PCR test <72hours or rapid test <24hours.
To attend you MUST arrive with a “PAL”. PALs are pairs/groups of 2+ guests who can vouch for each other, and will be responsible for each other for the night.
Safer sex supplies provided, and our lovely house caddies will be on call to deliver them to you, or fetch you a toy from our party stash.
How to get in on the action:
Become a Mission Control Member: http://events.missioncontrolsf.org/sessions/new (free, but must be done in advance)
Volunteer to get in FREE: https://forms.gle/3Ha4CGhYw4kKjss9A -or- Buy your tickets: https://events.missioncontrolsf.org/events/40862/orders/new
Want to see who’s going, match, chat, and meet the community?
Check out Gender Blender CUMBACK Party! on the Bloom Community app: https://bl.ooo/m/gender-blender-cumback-party. Don’t forget to invite all the cuties you just can’t wait any longer to see… If you have something special you’d like to share at this event, need a low-income discount, or have any questions, please contact one of the event hosts (Alex or Trixie/Ariel)
ALSO happening! Theme Camp and Project Speed Dating! To participate: > Link to Eventbrite < To present your camp or project: > Link < This is an in-person event, indoor with a covid policy contained on the Eventbrite Site
The vision of the RLS has always been to create a platform for queer leaders and our allies to collaborate and meet the needs of our community on the playa for Waking Dreams: Burning Man 2022. What special needs? Among them are safety and security of our camps and participants. Our voice is as unique as other special groups on playa, and our special sauce is bigger and better now with 2 Queerborhoods and more are self manifesting.
We are going to present the same content in smaller doses over time before the big event in the Black Rock Desert. Stay tuned as we prepare this new channel that can be received around the world.
Queeerburners is excited about the way 2022 is already starting to unfold. There are so many amazing opportunities coming up and chances to come together. And whether it comes from an internally produced event or someone in our community we are excited to see everyone sparkle.
Produced Events from Queerburners
Rainbow Leadership Summit – San Francisco’s Upper Haight 3/26 to 3/27 (Eventbrite)
Theme Camp Speed Dating – San Francisco Upper Haight 3/26 (Eventbrite)
Spring Retreat Camping Event – East Park Reservoir 5/6-8 (TicketSpice – Coming Soon)
Community Events you should explore!
Mystopia: Electroluxx – San Francisco Feb 12 – The Midway
Kostume Cult – Miami @ Love Burn Feb 11 – Facebook
Glamcocks: Double Feature – San Francisco Feb 25 – The Midway
Comfort & Joy: Touch – Saturday, Mar 12 – TBA
Gender Blender Party – Oakland’s Mission Control Mar 25
(Discount for RLS Attendees) – TBA
Comfort & Joy: Touch – Saturday, Apr 23 – TBA
Comfort & Joy: AfterGlow Pride – Saturday, Jun 25 – TBA
Stewards Ticket Sales Form Opens – Feb 23 to Mar 4
Stewards Ticket Sale – Mar 9 to 11th
Main Sale Registration – Mar 23 to 25th
Main Ticket Sale – Mar 30th
Ticket Aide Program Form Opens – Mar 16 to May 18 (may close earlier)
Ticket Aide Ticket Sale – May 23 – 25th
**announced in Placement news letter 2/7 >See email here<
This event is a focus on the Queerborhoods where our focus on our return in 2022 to Waking Dreams for camp and project leaders. That includes new and veteran camp and communtiy builders to nurture a safe and accountable space that is raised to the highest level we can rech as a community.
Get involved today!
To sign up as a volunteer for the Rainbow Leadership Summit > click here <
To sign up as a volunteer for the Speed Dating event > click here <
To sign up as a camp, project or other for Speed Dating > click here <
Queerburner services and community support
Is your camp listed on our Camp Directory yet? > click here <
or… are you looking for a camp still? > click here <
or… go to the local Theme Camp / Project Speed Dating near you!
Queerburners is a 501c3 organization as a social organization for LGBTQIA+ our allies and friends. We are a volunteer driven organization and are actively in need to people to help drive our mission and promote our activities. Check us out on www.blog.queerburners.org today and learn more.
Blog entry: We need help : Looking for new Treasurer and Communications Director (&Team)
Tax Deductible Donation to Queer Burners today: > click here <
Other important places to give back in our community
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Queerburners values the ideas, language and safety of our community. We move forward with accountability and purpose with our RiDE programs and the planning and future for our organization.
Hey folks, this is Toaster. Until I find someone to take over the Communications part of our system here I will try and get one newsletter out a month with general updates and information I can find. There is not a lot of input from people outside of the Bay Area, but I am actively looking for information for anywhere specifically related to LGBTQAI+ participants and our allies. Sign up today to get a dose of queerness in your inboxes!
