Shay (He/Him) and Emily (She/Her). . “We’re here, we’re queer, and we’re going to keep fighting until people realize Black Trans Lives Matter. Thank you Portland for continuing to fight! 🤟🏻🤟🏼🤟🏽🤟🏾🤟🏿” . Donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/community-fund-for-blm-portland . @shay_wil @ebaranello
Kira, She/Her. . Kira is a teacher, my DnD partner in crime, and one of the kindest souls I’ve been lucky enough to meet. . @htiafarik
Noelle, She/Her. . “I teach at a highschool, and it's a stressful year to be an educator. Going back into the school building during a pandemic is unnerving, but I do miss my job and the kids. Teaching is an integral piece of who I am, so it's been difficult to have that absence in my life. Lately, I've been trying to focus my energy on redesigning my curriculum to be more culturally responsive and inclusive. My goal is to center a lot of my lessons around antiracism work while including more literature from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ folks. I'm ready to start having meaningful, real-world conversations with my students again, even if it means doing so on an online platform. I need it. They need it. We all do.” . @naugerr
Landon, He/Him. . “I read 73 books during quarantine, I’m at 109 so far this year. I still don’t feel like I’m reading enough. There are so many books out there sometimes I get stressed about how I’ll never get to them all. I’m an English teacher too, so I live and breathe books. Being queer, transgender, and a teacher has been an odd experience but thankfully one filled with love and support from my students. This year has been ultra stressful for everyone. As an introvert I’ve loved spending so much time alone with my dog Wiggles but I’m glad to see students again. Even when I’m stressed about everything at least I can say I’ve read over 100 books this year, right?” . @landokrando
Knate, He/They . “I’ve been a lot of things in my short lifetime. Drag, Magick, Art, Teaching, Love; they’re all an act of temperance. Great things happen in that weird liminal space, between one place and the next.” . Knate is leading QGP & @brunswicktopsham’s foraging event this weekend, which was booked in a matter of hours. Contact QGP to be added to the waitlist in case there are drops. We can’t wait to see you there! . @knatebunny
Joey, He/Him . “I was born and raised in southern Maine and spent a lot of time trying to convince myself that I’m something that I’m not. Over the last three years I have discovered a lot about who I am and who I want to be, and have never been happier. No one should ever be ashamed of who they are, and know that the people around them will love and support them no matter what. I’m currently the most “me” I’ve ever been and I don’t plan on looking back.” . @hendrijo93
Wendy, She/They . “As I approach 70, after more than a half-century of feminist, anti-racist, ecological, anti-capitalist, queer and gender radical activism, I’ve learned that my survival depends on celebrating each victory - no matter how small - honoring each moment of kindness and laughing whenever the opportunity arises. ‘Be joyful though you have considered all the facts’ (Wendell Berry).”
Ari, She/Her . “My name is Ari Leach and I am a second generation registered Maine Guide. I grew up on the coast of Maine in Blue Hill and attended Unity College for both my undergrad and graduate degrees. I hold a BS in Wildlife Biology with a minor in Botany, and an MPS in Sustainable Natural Resource Management, completing my thesis on the softshell clam and marine bait worm conflict dynamic here in Maine. I have been deeply connected to the outdoors and nature since childhood and have continued to seek out ways to engage with my surroundings and share my passions with others. When I'm not working as a marine biologist for the state of Maine or wearing my Maine Guide hat, you can find me with my eyes glued to the skies in search of birds, on my mountain bike trying out new trails, or on the water wetting a line in hopes of a wild fish fight. I love any activity that gets me outside and closer to nature. I am also passionate about wilderness survival and ancestral skills, maintaining a wilderness first responder certification for over a decade. My hope is that I can impart a bit of knowledge, curiosity, and sense of adventure to those who join me in the wild, creating space to explore and ask questions in a safe and encouraging setting. Nature is for all, and we are all of nature.” . Ari will be leading our Owl Prowl this June, which sold out within hours of our announcement yesterday, with a quickly growing waitlist. We can’t wait to learn about and hopefully spot some owls! . @themaineari @blackbirdguideservices
