Join Queerly ME and Waterstruck Wellness for Queer Sauna Day! Waterstruck Wellness is a community wellness spa nestled in Newcastle, Maine, offering a Nordic-inspired circuit experience. Guests can move through Waterstruck Wellness’s hot pool, sauna, and cold plunge at their own pace, supported by indoor and outdoor rest areas designed for deep relaxation and social connection. Waterstruck Wellness’s space is rooted in the belief that healing happens in community — we are honored to partner with Waterstruck Wellness to welcome the LGBTQIA+ community to this space for a day of warmth, restoration, and belonging.

This event is a designated LGBTQIA+ affinity space for those ages 18+. Each session has limited capacity; each participant is welcome to sign up for one session out of the two timeslots available: 9:00am-10:30am and 11:45am-1:15pm. All spaces are gender neutral.

The sliding scale for this program is $25.00 to $50.00 per person. Queerly ME is committed to offering programs with no strict financial barrier to attendance. If the sliding scale is a barrier to your participation, please reach out to info@queerlyme.org for financial aid or ticket fee waivers.

What To Bring:

• A bathing suit (required for all sessions)

• A towel and/or robe (available to rent on-site as well)

• Flip-flops or Crocs (required for safety in and out of the water)

• A reusable water bottle.

• A change of clothing for after the session.

Accessibility Info:

Waterstruck Wellness’s space is on one level. Entry into the building requires two steps, and the bathroom inside has ADA compliant features. The pool is accessible to a degree, but there is no lift. Saunas require 2 steps to enter. Firepit and all outdoor pathways are fully accessible for the relaxation space.

For more information on Waterstruck Wellness, please visit waterstruckwellness.com.

Join Queerly ME and 7 Lakes Alliance for a sunset kayak tour in Smithfield followed by stargazing and socializing around the firepit with s’mores! Kayaks and PFDs will be provided.

This program is LGBTQIA+ centered and 18+. Exact address will be sent to those who complete registration. Our Sunset Kayak & Stargazing program is set on a sliding scale from $25.00 to $50.00 per individual pending financial capacity. We are committed to waiving any fees that pose a financial barrier to participants. If this cost is a barrier to your attendance, please reach out to info@queerlyme.org and we will work with you to ensure you are able to attend.

This Spring, Queerly ME and Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust will host casual, outdoor meet-ups at 1:00pm once a month from March to May at Crystal Spring Farm (South) and Woodward Point. These walks will involve some light conversation starters and activities meant to get folks connecting with one another on the trail.

No guided tour and no cost. Just an open invitation for Queer/LGBTQIA+ folks (and allies) of all ages and backgrounds, to gather in a natural safe space, connect with one another, and spend time outside! (And then at Wild Oats afterwards)

Saturday March 14th - 1:00pm, Crystal Spring Farm (South). No registration required.

Saturday April 11th - 1:00pm, Woodward Point (Registration Required)

Sunday May 10th - 1:00pm, Woodward Point (Registration Required)

Some things to keep in mind:

• Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early! We will be leaving for our walk from the trailhead at 1:05pm to maximize our walk time.

• We highly encourage carpooling!

• Bringing a dog? Please make sure they are leashed at all times and that you clean up after them.

• Bringing some kiddos? Please make sure they (and you!) are dressed for the weather and terrain.

• Bringing a camera? Fantastic! Just make sure you have consent if taking photos of other people.

All properties, events, and programs managed by BTLT are open to everyone. However, as part of BTLT’s mission to connect people to nature by providing recreational opportunities, BTLT acknowledges that the outdoors have historically not been a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community. In partnership with Queerly ME, this event series aims to provide intergenerational safe spaces for connection, community building, and outdoor exploration amongst the LGBTQIA+ community.

Trail Mixers are our most popular and most frequent program! Trail Mixers began in 2022 through an intentional collaboration between Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust's Lydia Coburn and Queerly ME's Kyle Warnock. Since then, hundreds of LGBTQIA+ community members have found connection with nature and one another on these seasonal walks at various Brunswick-Topsham area properties. We're delighted that the Trail Mixer model has now expanded to other partnerships and natural spaces across Maine.

Join Queerly ME in partnership with Maine Local Living School for a LGBTQIA+ centered day of plant identification and communication, wise harvesting, wild meals, and a celebration of new life this spring! Participants will learn different methods of preparation and preservation, enjoy community style wild foraged meals, and explore concepts around queer ecology and a kinship worldview. Through exploration of springtime plants in the garden, open field, and forest edge, we will share in the health and hope that can be found through deepened partnerships with the wild. This program centers LGBTQIA+ people, but allies are welcome to attend as well! Registration is on a sliding scale from $15 to $50 per person pending individual capacity.

Accessibility:

Classroom: the west door of the classroom is 3'9" wide. This door is accessible via a ramp with an incline. The double doors on the east side are 5'7". These doors are accessed from a rock patio with about four elevated steps between the ground and the door entrance. All outhouse doors are 27" wide. They are accessed by stairs and large rocks. There is a small foot bridge that we may cross from time to time, which is 36" wide. It is possible to avoid using the bridge. The ground is earth, walkways are compacted dirt and grass. The parking area and driveway is compacted dirt with small rocks. The terrain we are walking may be muddy, rocky, and unlevel. We will also be walking through hilly open pastures.

About our program educator, Kayleigh Martin:

“I am passionate about exploring connections with the plant world and eating wild foods often! As a Journeyperson at Maine Local Living School I work with students to strengthen our sense of place and purpose as humans on this earth. Through curious exploration and skill-building, we grow regenerative relationships with the many inhabitants of the land we are on, including each other. I have a personal curiosity for the plant world and have been foraging, eating wild foods, and getting to know medicinal plants for four years.”

Every spring, when the ground has thawed, the rain has started, and nighttime temperatures maintain above freezing, frogs and salamanders all throughout North America begin their migration to their breeding grounds called vernal pools. Join Queerly ME as we participate in BIG Night, an annual community science project where scientists and volunteers partner to collect data on amphibian migration. We will learn how to identify different salamanders and frogs, count the number of amphibians we see, and help save amphibian lives!

Location will be provided to those who complete registration! This gathering is LGBTQIA+ centered and allies are welcome.

This Spring, Queerly ME and Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust will host casual, outdoor meet-ups at 1:00pm once a month from March to May at Crystal Spring Farm (South) and Woodward Point. These walks will involve some light conversation starters and activities meant to get folks connecting with one another on the trail.

No guided tour and no cost. Just an open invitation for Queer/LGBTQIA+ folks (and allies) of all ages and backgrounds, to gather in a natural safe space, connect with one another, and spend time outside! (And then at Wild Oats afterwards)

Saturday March 14th - 1:00pm, Crystal Spring Farm (South). No registration required.

Saturday April 11th - 1:00pm, Woodward Point (Registration Required)

Sunday May 10th - 1:00pm, Woodward Point (Registration Required)

Some things to keep in mind:

• Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early! We will be leaving for our walk from the trailhead at 1:05pm to maximize our walk time.

• We highly encourage carpooling!

• Bringing a dog? Please make sure they are leashed at all times and that you clean up after them.

• Bringing some kiddos? Please make sure they (and you!) are dressed for the weather and terrain.

• Bringing a camera? Fantastic! Just make sure you have consent if taking photos of other people.

All properties, events, and programs managed by BTLT are open to everyone. However, as part of BTLT’s mission to connect people to nature by providing recreational opportunities, BTLT acknowledges that the outdoors have historically not been a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community. In partnership with Queerly ME, this event series aims to provide intergenerational safe spaces for connection, community building, and outdoor exploration amongst the LGBTQIA+ community.

Trail Mixers are our most popular and most frequent program! Trail Mixers began in 2022 through an intentional collaboration between Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust's Lydia Coburn and Queerly ME's Kyle Warnock. Since then, hundreds of LGBTQIA+ community members have found connection with nature and one another on these seasonal walks at various Brunswick-Topsham area properties. We're delighted that the Trail Mixer model has now expanded to other partnerships and natural spaces across Maine.

This Spring, Queerly ME and Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust will host casual, outdoor meet-ups at 1:00pm once a month from March to May at Crystal Spring Farm (South) and Woodward Point. These walks will involve some light conversation starters and activities meant to get folks connecting with one another on the trail.

No guided tour and no cost. Just an open invitation for Queer/LGBTQIA+ folks (and allies) of all ages and backgrounds, to gather in a natural safe space, connect with one another, and spend time outside! (And then at Wild Oats afterwards)

Saturday March 14th - 1:00pm, Crystal Spring Farm (South). No registration required.

Saturday April 11th - 1:00pm, Woodward Point (Registration Required)

Sunday May 10th - 1:00pm, Woodward Point (Registration Required)

Some things to keep in mind:

• Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early! We will be leaving for our walk from the trailhead at 1:05pm to maximize our walk time.

• We highly encourage carpooling!

• Bringing a dog? Please make sure they are leashed at all times and that you clean up after them.

• Bringing some kiddos? Please make sure they (and you!) are dressed for the weather and terrain.

• Bringing a camera? Fantastic! Just make sure you have consent if taking photos of other people.

All properties, events, and programs managed by BTLT are open to everyone. However, as part of BTLT’s mission to connect people to nature by providing recreational opportunities, BTLT acknowledges that the outdoors have historically not been a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community. In partnership with Queerly ME, this event series aims to provide intergenerational safe spaces for connection, community building, and outdoor exploration amongst the LGBTQIA+ community.

Trail Mixers are our most popular and most frequent program! Trail Mixers began in 2022 through an intentional collaboration between Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust's Lydia Coburn and Queerly ME's Kyle Warnock. Since then, hundreds of LGBTQIA+ community members have found connection with nature and one another on these seasonal walks at various Brunswick-Topsham area properties. We're delighted that the Trail Mixer model has now expanded to other partnerships and natural spaces across Maine.

Spots are reserved through GiveLively on a sliding scale from $5.00 to $50.00 per person pending individual financial capacity. There are no-cost options available for those who are facing financial barriers that inhibit them from reserving higher cost tickets. Contact info@queerlyme.org for more information.

Your contribution directly supports Queerly ME’s mission to foster strong support networks and community belonging for LGBTQIA+ adults in all 16 counties of Maine. Queerly ME is uniquely positioned as the only LGBTQIA+ nonprofit in Maine offering in-person programs in every county on an annual basis, and this dedication allows us to directly partner with local organizations, businesses, and community members everywhere we go to identify existing resources and fulfill unmet community needs.

Join Queerly ME and Equality Maine for another intergenerational storytelling & speed-friending gathering! This time we will be meeting in Ellsworth to share and learn about matters of the heart. Stories will highlight romantic, platonic, or familial love.

Following our storytelling hour, we invite participants to engage in an intergenerational speed-friending activity during which we will pair up folks from different generations to hold mini-conversations with each other. Every 2 to 5 minutes, we will create new pairs and introduce a new conversation prompt to discuss.

Exact location and additional details will be shared with those who register. Please keep in mind that capacity is limited, and that if we reach capacity, we will not be able to allow drop-ins. Masks offered at the door—please stay home if you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms.

Curious about our Sliding Scale model for ticketing?

Spots are reserved through GiveLively on a sliding scale donation from $25.00 to $50.00 per person pending individual financial capacity. There are no-cost options available for those who are facing financial barriers that inhibit them from reserving higher cost tickets.

Connection driven spaces have been in rapid decline as far back as the 1950s. National trends for social connection show loneliness is increasing and social engagement is decreasing. Our mental health, physical health, and society are directly and significantly impacted. Learn about the decline of community spaces, the public health epidemic of loneliness and isolation, and how we can collectively revitalize opportunities for affirming, inclusive social connection to improve societal well-being. Due to the scope of Queerly ME's work, this training will in part focus on the LGBTQIA+ community and outdoor equity. Afterwards, we will screen a mini-documentary and open up the space for more social time.

The documentary we will be screening is Womontown. From Kansas City PBS and Director Sandy Woodson comes Womontown, a short documentary about a group of women in 1980s Kansas City who banded together to defy gender norms, transforming 14 city blocks in the Longfellow neighborhood into a revolutionary community by and for queer women. 26m, closed captions available.

Please stay home if you are feeling sick or exhibiting flu symptoms so that we can keep our community healthy! Masks will be offered at the door.

Accessibility Info:

Wheelchair users have accessed this space before, but it is not ADA compliant. Here is what we know:

• There are some tight spots between bookshelves where a wheelchair might have trouble squeezing into.

• The bathroom doesn’t have a handle for support, but is large and open enough for wheelchair maneuvering.

• There are parking spots directly in front of the location, but there is a curb to maneuver around outside of the parking spot.

• There are no stairs to navigate in or outside of the location.

Join Queerly ME for a trail mixer in Bath, ME. January 31st from 12:00PM to 1:15PM! Our Trail Mixers are always no cost.

Trail Mixers are casual, connection centered trail walks, and one of our most popular programs! Periodically during our walk, we will propose conversation prompts to participants and encourage participants to “mix it up” and find a new person to talk to each time a conversation prompt is introduced to encourage new connections!

This is an open invitation for Queer/LGBTQIA+ folks and allies of all ages and backgrounds, to gather in a natural safe space, connect with one another, and spend time outside!

Some things to keep in mind:

• Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early! We will be leaving for our walk from the trailhead at 12:05pm to maximize our walk time.

• We highly encourage carpooling!

• Bringing a dog? Please make sure they are leashed at all times and that you clean up after them.

• Bringing some kiddos? Please make sure they (and you!) are dressed for the weather and terrain.

• Bringing a camera? Fantastic! Just make sure you have consent if taking photos of other people.

Parking is limited, so help us out by RSVPing so we can direct traffic accordingly! We will send an email out to those who RSVP with additional parking details a week before our gathering.

Trail Mixers are our most popular and most frequent program! Trail Mixers began in 2022 through an intentional collaboration between Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust's Lydia Coburn and Queerly ME's Kyle Warnock. Since then, hundreds of LGBTQIA+ community members have found connection with nature and one another on these seasonal walks at various Brunswick-Topsham area properties. We're delighted that the Trail Mixer model has now expanded to other partnerships and natural spaces across Maine.

Campfire Club is a members-only program that holds quarterly gatherings. By joining Campfire Club at just $15.00 per month, you sustain and ignite our growth as we continue to build a robust statewide community network that supports LGBTQIA+ people through visibility, resource accessibility, and community building outdoors in all 16 counties of Maine.

You will need to be a Campfire Club member to access this event.

We will engage in burning written notes containing what we wish to let go of from 2025 and what we wish to manifest into 2026. Writing materials and s’mores will be provided. The exact location will be shared with Campfire Club members only.

At this campfire club, we welcome Donna Capodelupo for a writing activity to led into our paper burning. Donna is a retired journalist who began her career in the early 1980s as a feature writer for a small weekly newspaper covering the city of Haverhill, Mass. She worked as a news reporter for several weekly and daily newspapers, covering diverse beats including local government, education, and presidential primary politics, finally finding her niche as an editor and writing coach, the role she filled for most of her 35+-year journalism career. She shares a Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Coverage (2003) with a team of colleagues from The Eagle-Tribune newspaper in Massachusetts for coverage of the tragic drowning of four children in the Merrimack River in Lawrence, Mass. In her post-journalism career, Donna wrote and edited for numerous clients. The most rewarding to date? Editing the book, "How to Be Gay and Happy," published in the UK.

Spots are reserved through GiveLively on a sliding scale donation from $25.00 to $50.00 per person pending individual financial capacity. There are no-cost options available for those who are facing financial barriers that inhibit them from reserving higher cost tickets.

Connection driven spaces have been in rapid decline as far back as the 1950s. National trends for social connection show loneliness is increasing and social engagement is decreasing. Our mental health, physical health, and society are directly and significantly impacted. Learn about the decline of community spaces, the public health epidemic of loneliness and isolation, and how we can collectively revitalize opportunities for affirming, inclusive social connection to improve societal well-being. Due to the scope of Queerly ME's work, this training will in part focus on the LGBTQIA+ community and outdoor equity. Afterwards, we will screen a mini-documentary and open up the space for more social time.

Please stay home if you are feeling sick or exhibiting flu symptoms so that we can keep our community healthy! Masks will be offered at the door.

Accessibility In Place:

• Masks will be provided at the door for those in need of them.

• The width of the main doorway is 31 inches. There is a ramp built to ADA standards into the building. On the main level, there is an accessible bathroom for wheelchair users and those who use adaptive tools. There are nearby parking spots in a private lot adjacent to the building.

Need other accessibility info.? Reach out to info@queerlyme.org for more information.

Join Queerly ME for a trail mixer in Houlton, ME. December 27th from 12:00PM to 1:00PM. Exact gathering location and additional details will be shared with those who complete registration.

Trail Mixers are casual, connection centered trail walks, and one of our most popular programs! Periodically during our walk, we will propose conversation prompts to participants and encourage participants to “mix it up” and find a new person to talk to each time a conversation prompt is introduced to encourage new connections!

This is an open invitation for Queer/LGBTQIA+ folks and allies of all ages and backgrounds, to gather in a natural safe space, connect with one another, and spend time outside!

Some things to keep in mind:

• Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early! We will be leaving for our walk from the trailhead at 12:05pm to maximize our walk time.

• We highly encourage carpooling!

• Bringing a dog? Please make sure they are leashed at all times and that you clean up after them.

• Bringing some kiddos? Please make sure they (and you!) are dressed for the weather and terrain.

• Bringing a camera? Fantastic! Just make sure you have consent if taking photos of other people.

Join Queerly ME for a trail mixer on the Prescott Field Accessible Trail in Farmington, ME. December 21st from 12:00PM to 1:00PM. Following our Trail Mixer gathering, we will gather for a social at Root Down Market in New Sharon, 54 Farmington Falls Road.

Trail Mixers are casual, connection centered trail walks, and one of our most popular programs! Periodically during our walk, we will propose conversation prompts to participants and encourage participants to “mix it up” and find a new person to talk to each time a conversation prompt is introduced to encourage new connections!

This is an open invitation for Queer/LGBTQIA+ folks and allies of all ages and backgrounds, to gather in a natural safe space, connect with one another, and spend time outside!

Some things to keep in mind:

• Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early! We will be leaving for our walk from the trailhead at 12:05pm to maximize our walk time.

• We highly encourage carpooling!

• Bringing a dog? Please make sure they are leashed at all times and that you clean up after them.

• Bringing some kiddos? Please make sure they (and you!) are dressed for the weather and terrain.

• Bringing a camera? Fantastic! Just make sure you have consent if taking photos of other people.

Exact gathering location and additional details will be shared with those who register.

Join Queerly ME and George's River Land Trust for a found family holiday gathering at Gibson Preserve in Searsmont, ME. The holidays can be difficult to navigate, especially for LGBTQIA+ folks who have had to find affirmation and belonging outside of traditional family systems. Come be in community with us as we navigate the holiday season together!

We will provide a community meal, a guided nature walk centering connection as well as arts and crafts all day. If there is snow on the ground, we will hold a snow sculpture making competition! We will also be collecting food to donate to local shelters and food pantries; please bring any canned or preserved goods you would like to donate.

Schedule:

All activities are optional! Feel free to plug into whatever activities speak to you, or simply be in the presence of affirming community.

• 12:15PM-1:00PM Our guided nature walk will take the form of a Trail Mixer. Trail Mixers are casual, connection centered trail walks, and one of our most popular programs! Periodically during our walk, we will propose conversation prompts to participants and encourage participants to “mix it up” and find a new person to talk to each time a conversation prompt is introduced to encourage new connections! 

• 1:15PM-2:30PM Wreath Making Demos & Guidance by Cardinal Gardener

• 1:30PM-2:30PM Community Meal

• 2:30PM-3:30PM Snow Sculpture Competition (pending snow). We welcome any sculpture, snow people included. Pair up, work in teams, or go solo! There will be prizes!

• All Day: Arts & Crafts will be available all day as well as warm drinks and the opportunity to contribute to our food drive.

All ages are welcome; minors must be accompanied by a guardian and within a guardian's sightline at all times. Both LGBTQIA+ folks and their allies are welcome to attend!

Dana (she/her) is the owner of Cardinal Gardener, LLC, where she works as a garden designer and coach specializing in organic, ecological, and permaculture-informed land care. Her work centers on helping folks build deep and enjoyable relationships with the land-- whether through designing resilient native gardens or guiding others on their own growing journeys. In addition to her design and coaching practice, Dana is a folk herbalist and craftsperson who teaches nature-based crafts and product making rooted in reciprocity, cultivating creativity and community connection. Her focus is on inspiring others to use nature's abundant gifts to create unique handmade objects and healing products while imagining and practicing alternatives to consumerism. For this Found Family Workshop, Dana brings her love for plants and crafts to help participants joyfully weave together foraged seasonal materials and collective gratitude for Maine's magical winters.

Accessibility & Location Info:

• The trailhead and parking lot are located at 621 Woodsman Mill Rd in Searsmont. There is a 0.2-mile gravel trail from the lot to the cabin. We will have yellow arrow signs guiding folks to the cabin. The trail is a loop and both sides are equidistant, with one side providing views of the river. The trail is 5 feet wide with a maximum grade of 5% and an average grade of 2-3%. There are multiple benches along the river side of the loop with about 425 feet between benches / rest stops. 

• For folks who are looking for closer access to the cabin, there is a driveway which leads to the cabin located at 529 Woodsman Mill Rd. 

• There are three steps leading up the cabin doorway, with the tallest step being 9 inches from the ground. The porch door and door to the main cabin are each 35 inches wide. The bathroom door is 30 inches wide. 

• The entire cabin is heated. The parking lot and driveway will be plowed in the event of snow.

This Fall, Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust and Queerly ME will host casual, outdoor meet-ups at 1:00pm once a month from October to December at Crystal Spring Farm (South). These walks will involve some light conversation starters and activities meant to get folks connecting with one another on the trail.

No guided tour, no cost, no registration required. Just an open invitation for Queer/LGBTQIA+ folks (and allies) of all ages and backgrounds, to gather in a natural safe space, connect with one another, and spend time outside! (And then at Wild Oats afterwards)

Sunday October 5th - 1:00pm

Sunday November 2nd - 1:00pm

Saturday December 6th - 1:00pm

Some things to keep in mind:

• Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early! We will be leaving for our walk from the trailhead at 1:05pm to maximize our walk time.

• We highly encourage carpooling!

• There is no registration, you can just show up.

• Bringing a dog? Please make sure they are leashed at all times and that you clean up after them.

• Bringing some kiddos? Please make sure they (and you!) are dressed for the weather and terrain.

• Bringing a camera? Fantastic! Just make sure you have consent if taking photos of other people.

All properties, events, and programs managed by BTLT are open to everyone. However, as part of BTLT’s mission to connect people to nature by providing recreational opportunities, BTLT acknowledges that the outdoors have historically not been a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community. In partnership with Queerly ME, this event series aims to provide intergenerational safe spaces for connection, community building, and outdoor exploration amongst the LGBTQIA+ community.

Trail Mixers are our most popular and most frequent program! Trail Mixers began in 2022 through an intentional collaboration between Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust's Lydia Coburn and Queerly ME's Kyle Warnock. Since then, hundreds of LGBTQIA+ community members have found connection with nature and one another on these seasonal walks at various Brunswick-Topsham area properties. We're delighted that the Trail Mixer model has now expanded to other partnerships and natural spaces across Maine.

Queerly ME and Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens welcome back community members for another LGBTQIA+ centered Gardens Aglow gathering!

During our gathering, we will offer a LGBTQIA+ centered trail mixer and the opportunity to mingle in an intentional community space between 5:00pm to 7:30pm. This event takes place during public hours, but there will be a dedicated space for community members to gather in at the Education Center.

Trail Mixer 5:30PM-6:30PM: Trail Mixers are casual, connection centered trail walks, and one of our most popular programs! Periodically during our walk, we will propose conversation prompts to participants and encourage participants to “mix it up” and find a new person to talk to each time a conversation prompt is introduced to encourage new connections!

We will be meeting at the Great Lawn, right outside the Cafe.

Mingle / Gather / Connect 6:30PM-7:30PM: A designated gathering space will be available for participants at the Education Center to continue to mingle and connect after the trail mixer.

Accessibility: The central garden areas are designed to be ADA-compliant, offering accessible pathways for all. Electric scooters and wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis to help ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience, free of charge.

Need financial assistance to access this event? Contact info@queerlyme.org to inquire into the availability of free tickets.

Join Queerly ME and Mahoosuc Land Trust for an afternoon of connection centering the outdoors, food, comfy crafts, and games!

Our Trail Mixer will begin at 11am in Bethel; the exact address will be shared with those who complete registration. Trail Mixers are casual, connection-centered trail walks, and one of our most popular programs! Periodically during our walk, we will propose conversation prompts to participants and encourage participants to “mix it up” and find a new person to talk to each time a conversation prompt is introduced to encourage new connections!

Our community meal will begin at 12pm in Bethel; the exact address and details will be shared with those who complete registration. There is no financial barrier in place to access the community meal, but spots are limited due to the capacity of the space. We will also provide tabletop games and crafts for those who wish to spend more time in community during and after the community meal is served.

Bringing your kids? Great! Participants who are minors are welcome as long as a guardian is present and within sight line at all times during our program.

Accessibility Info:

Trail Mixer: The trail we will be exploring is made up of gravel with a typical width of 5 ft (minimum 3 ft). The trail contains a typical slope of 0-2% with a maximum of 15%, and a typical cross slope of 0% (maximum 4%). 

Community Meal: The first floor of the gathering space is accessible via a front door (with a 8" step) and a sliding glass side door (with a 5 ft wide ramp at a moderate, ADA-accessible slope). There is a 1.5" threshold on the sliding glass side door. Once in the building, doorways are 3 ft wide. There is a handicap-accessible bathroom located on the first floor.

If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know one week prior to our community meal so that we can plan accommodations.

This Fall, Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust and Queerly ME will host casual, outdoor meet-ups at 1:00pm once a month from October to December at Crystal Spring Farm (South). These walks will involve some light conversation starters and activities meant to get folks connecting with one another on the trail.

No guided tour, no cost, no registration required. Just an open invitation for Queer/LGBTQIA+ folks (and allies) of all ages and backgrounds, to gather in a natural safe space, connect with one another, and spend time outside! (And then at Wild Oats afterwards)

Sunday October 5th - 1:00pm

Sunday November 2nd - 1:00pm

Saturday December 6th - 1:00pm

Some things to keep in mind:

• Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early! We will be leaving for our walk from the trailhead at 1:05pm to maximize our walk time.

• We highly encourage carpooling!

• There is no registration, you can just show up.

• Bringing a dog? Please make sure they are leashed at all times and that you clean up after them.

• Bringing some kiddos? Please make sure they (and you!) are dressed for the weather and terrain.

• Bringing a camera? Fantastic! Just make sure you have consent if taking photos of other people.

All properties, events, and programs managed by BTLT are open to everyone. However, as part of BTLT’s mission to connect people to nature by providing recreational opportunities, BTLT acknowledges that the outdoors have historically not been a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community. In partnership with Queerly ME, this event series aims to provide intergenerational safe spaces for connection, community building, and outdoor exploration amongst the LGBTQIA+ community.

Trail Mixers are our most popular and most frequent program! Trail Mixers began in 2022 through an intentional collaboration between Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust's Lydia Coburn and Queerly ME's Kyle Warnock. Since then, hundreds of LGBTQIA+ community members have found connection with nature and one another on these seasonal walks at various Brunswick-Topsham area properties. We're delighted that the Trail Mixer model has now expanded to other partnerships and natural spaces across Maine.

Why is it so hard to build community? It’s not you. Connection driven spaces have been in rapid decline as far back as the 50s. National trends for social connection show loneliness is increasing and social engagement is decreasing. Our mental health, physical health, and society are directly and significantly impacted.

Join Queerly ME at Coffee By Design for a community training on the decline of community spaces, the public health crisis of loneliness & isolation, and how we can collectively revitalize opportunities for affirming, inclusive social connection to improve societal well-being.

Suggested donation for this training is $35.00 to $50.00. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Your donation goes to support Queerly ME's mission to foster strong support networks and community belonging for LGBTQIA+ adults in all 16 counties of Maine. We are grateful for your support!

Can’t make this one? Check out our training at Electric Cottage Collective October 7th or at Stone Broke Bread & Books October 17th.

This space is QTBIPOC only.

Join us for a community gathering centering food and storytelling surrounded by nature in Bowdoinham! Our featured storytellers include Maya Williams, xochi quetzali cartland, and Phill Joseph; participants are welcome to share their own stories during the open mic portion of our event.

Exact location will only be shared with those who email info@queerlyme.org.

Why is it so hard to build community? It’s not you. Connection driven spaces have been in rapid decline as far back as the 50s. National trends for social connection show loneliness is increasing and social engagement is decreasing. Our mental health, physical health, and society are directly and significantly impacted.

Join Queerly ME and Stone Broke Bread & Books for a community training on the decline of community spaces, the public health crisis of loneliness & isolation, and how we can collectively revitalize opportunities for affirming, inclusive social connection to improve societal well-being.

Suggested donation for this training is $35.00 to $50.00. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Your donation goes to support Queerly ME's mission to foster strong support networks and community belonging for LGBTQIA+ adults in all 16 counties of Maine. We are grateful for your support!

Can’t make this one? Check out our training at Electric Cottage Collective October 7th or at Coffee By Design on October 22nd!

Queerly ME is thrilled to be selected as one of the nonprofits Portland Greendrinks is fundraising for in 2025! Come join us Tuesday October 14th from 5:30pm to 8:00pm at Maine Studio Works in Portland for a connection centered fundraiser featuring an exhibit of the photo-documentary, a mini raffle, and cozy conversation stations.

Beverage Partners:

• Lucky Pigeon Brewing Co.

• Sacred Profane Brewing

• Masons Brewing

• Island Park Brewing

• Cellar Door Winery

• Angoor Wine Bar

• Milk Bottle

Food Partners:

• Hungry Gains

Other things to know (or remember) about Portland Greendrinks’ fundraisers:

• 21+ Event (babies are welcome as long as they remain worn via carrier).

• Bring your ID.

• Please bring your own cup, vessel, drinking apparatus (Forget your cup? Compostable cups are available for $5 at the door). We encourage the use of fun and unique drinking vessels.

• Please leave your pups at home unless they are trained service animals.

• Be kind, respectful, and make sure to say hi to someone you may not know!

• Refunds available until the day of the event.

Accessibility:

• Doorways are wide and there is a ramp to the main entrance. However, the ramp to the main entrance is fairly steep and may not be suitable for certain wheelchairs. There is an alternative entrance volunteers can guide you towards if the front entrance is not accessible to you.

• The fundraising venue is on flat cement flooring and the space itself is a large, open area. There is a narrow grassy patio through the inside of the venue.

• There will be music playing through speakers at the venue. We advise bringing earplugs if you are sensitive to sound.

• Food provided will accommodate a variety of food restrictions and allergies. Reach out to see if your food restrictions can be accommodated.

Why is it so hard to build community? It’s not you. Connection driven spaces have been in rapid decline as far back as the 50s. National trends for social connection show loneliness is increasing and social engagement is decreasing. Our mental health, physical health, and society are directly and significantly impacted.

Join Queerly ME and Electric Cottage Collective for a community training on the decline of community spaces, the public health crisis of loneliness & isolation, and how we can collectively revitalize opportunities for affirming, inclusive social connection to improve societal well-being.

Suggested donation for this training is $35.00 to $50.00. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Your donation goes to support Queerly ME's mission to foster strong support networks and community belonging for LGBTQIA+ adults in all 16 counties of Maine. We are grateful for your support!

Can’t make this one? Check out our training at Stone Broke Bread & Books October 17th or at Coffee By Design on October 22nd!

Accessibility Info:

The space itself is only accessible via a steep staircase. Unfortunately, this does pose a barrier for those with limited mobility. If you are unable to access this space, know that our workshop held at Coffee By Design is wheelchair accessible. Please reach out for more info. on accessibility accomodations!

This Fall, Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust and Queerly ME will host casual, outdoor meet-ups at 1:00pm once a month from October to December at Crystal Spring Farm (South). These walks will involve some light conversation starters and activities meant to get folks connecting with one another on the trail.

No guided tour, no cost, no registration required. Just an open invitation for Queer/LGBTQIA+ folks (and allies) of all ages and backgrounds, to gather in a natural safe space, connect with one another, and spend time outside! (And then at Wild Oats afterwards)

Sunday October 5th - 1:00pm

Sunday November 2nd - 1:00pm

Saturday December 6th - 1:00pm

Some things to keep in mind:

• Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early! We will be leaving for our walk from the trailhead at 1:05pm to maximize our walk time.

• We highly encourage carpooling!

• There is no registration, you can just show up.

• Bringing a dog? Please make sure they are leashed at all times and that you clean up after them.

• Bringing some kiddos? Please make sure they (and you!) are dressed for the weather and terrain.

• Bringing a camera? Fantastic! Just make sure you have consent if taking photos of other people.

All properties, events, and programs managed by BTLT are open to everyone. However, as part of BTLT’s mission to connect people to nature by providing recreational opportunities, BTLT acknowledges that the outdoors have historically not been a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community. In partnership with Queerly ME, this event series aims to provide intergenerational safe spaces for connection, community building, and outdoor exploration amongst the LGBTQIA+ community.

Trail Mixers are our most popular and most frequent program! Trail Mixers began in 2022 through an intentional collaboration between Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust's Lydia Coburn and Queerly ME's Kyle Warnock. Since then, hundreds of LGBTQIA+ community members have found connection with nature and one another on these seasonal walks at various Brunswick-Topsham area properties. We're delighted that the Trail Mixer model has now expanded to other partnerships and natural spaces across Maine.

Join Queerly ME and BRIDGE Maine for a day of discussions and activities centering LGBTQIA+ people with disabilities in Maine.

The event will include the following:

• 12PM-1PM: A panel discussion made up of 5 panelists who are LGBTQIA+ with a disability to discuss their experience with accessibility in outdoor spaces and LGBTQIA+ spaces. The format of this panel will be question and answer.

• 2PM-3PM: A community forum made up of small breakout groups (roughly 4-5 people per group). Facilitators will provide discussion prompts related to the lived experience of LGBTQIA+ people with disabilities. We will note suggestions / feedback on how to improve community space, and broadcast calls to action via social media after the program ends. There will be a notetaker in place for each group.

All Day (10am-4pm), we will have:

• A small resource table area in the parking lot of the venue. We plan to partner with organizations that serve those with disabilities and organizations that provide accessible programs for LGBTQIA+ people with disabilities.

• A low sensory room made up of quiet activities, fidget toys and crafts, low light / tent and cushion areas. This will be located indoors near the main entrance.

• Outdoor equipment demo stations: we will have a few organizations demoing adaptive outdoor equipment for those with limited mobility who want to access outdoor recreation. This will occur at the front of the building.

• Socializing / Networking outdoors between participants, facilitators, panelists, etc. throughout the day.

About Our Program Partners:

BRIDGE Maine is a disabled and queer peer-to-peer support group that aims to build and maintain relationships by and for multi-marginalized disabled people that protect and prioritize the community’s collective well-being.

Campus Accessibility:

Adaptive Outdoor Education Center is an accessible indoor and outdoor campus. All indoor entrances are wide and there are ramps throughout the building, buttons that open doors, and wheelchair accessible bathrooms. The main outdoor paths are gravel and flat, but there is a steep incline going down to the forest paths. An alternative path is located near the parking lot. We have found that some entrances to the building and trails are difficult to access if in a power wheelchair; in this case, there are alternative entrances and pathways we can direct to. At the event, these paths will be clearly marked with signs that have a power chair symbol with a slash through it, and say INACCESSIBLE. Volunteers will be available to help point you to where you’re going, and help you find the best path to take.

There will be a Deaf / Hearing ASL interpreting team present for the duration of the panel and community forum. If you are attending via Zoom, there will be an OWL that is focused on the panel, and a separate camera pointed on the interpreting team, which will be highlighted in the call. The event will also be live captioned, which will be displayed on screen, and a transcript can be provided upon request. Image descriptions will be provided when applicable, and visual descriptions of the panelists will be given. As courtesy to both the audience and interpreters, panelists will also say their name before they begin speaking. We encourage the breakout groups to do the same.

For the panel which occurs inside, masks will be required in the room unless an individual’s disability or language needs conflict with the use of a mask. The community forum will allow for break out groups indoors and outdoors. There is room inside to spread seating out, and the panelists will be sitting 6 feet apart and at least 6 feet away from the audience.

There will be food available at the event. There will be wraps provided by Wild Oats (vegan and GF options available), a vegan soup, and snacks.

Join Queerly ME for our Campfire Club Launch Party at Brunswick Wellness Collective September 26th from 4pm to 7:30pm! Expect s'mores, fire, friends, and plenty of activities to engage with. LGBTQIA+ & Allies Welcome!

During our Campfire Club Launch Party, Brunswick Wellness Collective is offering a $40 Day Pass to experience the sauna, steam room, red light, compression & more! A special link will be sent to those who register a week out from our gathering. 

What is Campfire Club?

Campfire Club is our new monthly donorship program! Each monthly contribution is kindling to our fire. By joining Campfire Club at just $15.00 per month, you sustain and ignite our growth as we continue to build a robust statewide community network that supports LGBTQIA+ people through visibility, resource accessibility, and community building outdoors in all 16 counties of Maine.

• Access to quarterly members-only campfire socials in regions all across Maine. Campfire socials will offer a variety of activities, s’mores and ample firewood, and consistent time and opportunity for connection between participants.

• 10-15% off on merch such as t-shirts, hats, totes, and coffee mugs and access to exclusive campfire club merch.

• Welcome goodies after the first 30 days of membership.

• Invite a +1 to campfire socials for just $5.00 at any gathering location.

For more information and to sign up as a Campfire Club member, please visit queerlyme.org/campfire-club.

Queerly ME and Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens welcome back community members for another LGBTQIA+–centered gathering at the Gardens! Join us for a welcoming afternoon with opportunities for folks to meet new friends and learn about how queerness intersects with the natural world.

We will host a trail mixer, where folks are encouraged to make new connections on a group walk through the Gardens. In addition, we will offer some learning opportunities about queerness in nature and the Gardens' Horticulture Therapy Program.

This event takes place during public hours, but a reserved gathering space will be available exclusively for event participants near the Cafe.

Schedule

Trail Mixer | 2 p.m.

A Trail Mixer is a casual, outdoor gathering guided by light conversation starters meant to facilitate meaningful and new community connections! Periodically, a new conversation starter will be proposed, and attendees will be encouraged to "mix it up" and find a new person to chat with. The first Trail Mixers began in 2022 through an intentional collaboration between Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust's Lydia Coburn and Queerly ME's Kyle Warnock. Since then, hundreds of LGBTQIA+ community members have found connection with nature and one another on these seasonal walks across the state.

Mingling time | 3 p.m.

Join us on the Cafe terrace, right next to our Cafe and Kitchen Garden to mingle with new and old friends a like! The Cafe will be serving grab and go food and drinks with an assortment of alcoholic beverages as well. The outdoor Cafe terrace is reserved for QueerlyME folks from 2-5 p.m.

Explore Your Roots | 4 p.m.

We will have pop up programming teaching folks about Horticulture Therapy as well as Queerness in Nature. These are intended to be short pop in programming, so everyone has a chance to hear from both educators.

Learn about Horticulture Therapy and how we put it into action at the Gardens from our staff Horticultural Therapist, Garron Dorr.

Learn about how plants exist outside of binary systems of categorization. Explore how queerness intersects with the natural world using plants found at the Gardens. This station will be led by soon-to-be Master Naturalist Laura Brown.

More on Laura Brown: Laura Brown holds a master’s degree in molecular biotechnology and a bachelor’s degree in biology. She grew up in Maine, where she could often be found exploring vernal pools, wandering forest trails, and examining the intricate structures of ferns and wildflowers. Her lifelong interest in the natural world has led to her current training as a Maine Master Naturalist, a program dedicated to preparing volunteers who enrich nature education across the state. Through this training, Laura is deepening her skills in ecology and environmental education while also supporting the program’s mission to make Maine’s natural spaces inclusive, accessible, and safe for all. Drawing on her scientific background, she is especially interested in the ways queerness manifests in nature, highlighting biological diversity that challenges conventional human ideas of gender and reproduction. In this talk, Laura invites participants to learn how plants exist outside binary systems of categorization and to explore how queerness intersects with the natural world through the plants found at the Botanical Gardens.