QueerlyME and the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are hosting a gathering at the Gardens! Celebrate community and connection with this event designed for the queer community to come together and enjoy the magic of the winter season. Please note that this event is a designed affinity space for LGBTQIA+ community members across Maine.
Wander the lit paths surrounded by nature, join a guided tour, or gather in the Café for hot cocoa (on us!) and mingling. Other drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. Our 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.
Schedule
Winter Wetlands Tour @ 2:15 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
Let's Talk Biodiversity Tour @ 2:15 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
Trail Mixer @ 4:30 p.m: Join us for 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 at various Brunswick-Topsham area properties.
Please note: tours are drop-in and first-come, first-served. The Trail Mixer is a drop-in gathering.
Admission is offered on a sliding scale, with half of the proceeds supporting QueerlyME’s mission of creating and increasing LGBTQIA+ visibility, resource accessibility, and Queer centered outdoor programming in Maine. This is a chance to meet new friends, explore the Gardens’ winter beauty, and share a warm, welcoming space. Don’t miss this cozy opportunity to connect and celebrate with QueerlyME and Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens!
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is a nonprofit botanical garden with the mission to inspire meaningful connections between people and nature and promote plant conservation through horticulture, education, and plant science.