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
Amanda, She/They . “It’s beautiful out today or maybe they just how I walk through this world. My authentic code comes from my childlike curiosity. I obsess over ans gravitate toward things that bring me joy and comfort. My curiosity makes me want to experience all of the things, travel, good food, warm waters, 360 views. Maybe it’s because I am searching for my passion, or maybe my passion is just doing all the things. I was scared, fearful a lot growing up. I build a coping strategy to optimize my life to get to that comfort zone. I prepare for everything, every second of every day. Turning 40 I’ve realized this comfort has taken me out of the moment. Maybe now I’m trying to be a little less prepared, a little less predictable. I live in Dayton with my wife, Kristin, and our teenager 50% of the time. Traveling, exploring, and experiences are important to us. Beyond family and work, my friend and co-founder are close to launching a marketplace connecting consumers to queer brand and services. We want to make it easier to find and buy from our queer family. It’s time to lift each other up.” . @ablake528 @pinkrobinshop pinkrobinshop.com
Trail Mixer with Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust 2023
Trail Mixer with Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust 2023
Trail Mixer with Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust 2023
Ainsley, She/Her . “I like to exist in the veils between reality. Magic and whimsy are core to my being. I find my queer joy in chosen family, poetry, community, storytelling, and art of all kinds. You can find me reading weird poetry at open mics or vibing at local queer haunts in Portland! Also, if you see a winged beast fly over the old port on a full moon, just give me a warm and friendly wave. It can get chilly up there at night. “ . @theportlandcryptid
Red Tide, He/They . “When I moved back to Maine about ten years ago there weren’t many queer spaces so some friends and I started a party called sub/merge. We wanted to make a politicized queer dance party that raised money for rad organizing. I basically started DJing in order to thrown that party, but in the process I fell in love with dance music, particularly club sounds from micro pockets of cultural resistance & resilience all over the world. I love playing unknown and unexpected sounds & pop favorites to singing along too. There are more queer spaces now than there used to be, which is a welcome way Portland is evolving. I’m still contributing in my small way by throwing & DJing parties. I have some events I’m really excited about coming up: Each first Friday between May & July @discodungeon and I will be bringing you JUICED: a queer party at @citrusportland For Pride on June 17 I’ll be throwing my semi regular QUEER AS IN… at @flasklounge. I’ve got a few more things in the works this summer, so follow me at @redtide207.” . @redtide207
Max, They/Them . “I identify strongly as neuroqueer: my existence as a queer individual is intrinsically tied to my neurodivergence. As an autistic, non-binary, pansexual, polyamorous person, I exist outside of every box that society has attempted to place me within and I delight in finding community in the malleable in-between spaces. As queer people, the space we take up challenges societal views of what is, what should be, and what can be. My favorite autistic scholar, Robin Roscigno, said so perfectly that Queering is ‘the act of purposeful engagement with the non-normative… it is a form of political disruption, an exercise in radical visibility, and a subversion of state control.’ Our existence in the visible sphere demands recognition that any identity can be an infinite one. We all bring such beauty, diversity, and love to this world!” . @mxmixmax
Tanner, He/Him . “I moved to Portland near a decade ago from my childhood home of Vermont. I spent my 20s in Portland and I’ve seen the city change so much, but the one constant for me was our Queer community. The LGBTQ+ community here is why I stayed; I owe my friendships, my careers, my successes, and my happiness to the Queer network that we have in Maine! In my free time I organize Portland’s “GQB” Guerrilla Queer Bar. GQB is Portlands largest LGBTQ+ event series. One Friday each month we gather at a local bar venue and “take it over” and make it into a Queer space for the evening. Providing a space for our community to gather and grow together is what I want to give back to the Portland Queer community; a community that has given me so much to me. Find our events at @gqb.portland.maine Hope to see you there!” . @tannerskilton @gqb.portland.maine
Tyler, He/Him . “I have lived in the North side of Bath practically all my life, and anytime I am overwhelmed I am thankful for my location. Just a 10 minute walk nearby are the woods. Ever since I was a child I found myself running through these woods, like it’s a magical land and I’m the first to explore it. Mushrooms were once the evidence of a fairies dance; now I can see them as a complex organism which composes a wide part of forests. As an adult I still explore and notice things that aren’t always there. This escapism directly influences my illustration work so anyone anywhere can create their own “woods”. I laugh from that last statement because most of my art is literally woods but I meant it metaphorically. My work is of a curious sort for the curious minds, for a big project of mine was a poster of 75 mushroom illustrations. Not just a pretty image but something people can learn from. It is important that where you live you are nurturing yourself and safe, like a plant! So creating rooms filled with art you like or even decorating your water bottle with stickers is always a healthy aspect of life. We should take care even if we can’t always visit the woods and I hope my art is something that can do that." . @ink.cp
Avery, She/Her . “At a Queer Maker's Market event in Portland, I fell in love with a print by a nearby artist (@coyotesnout) that reads ‘Queer teachers are living proof of queer futures’. It hangs in my office now in honor of all of the teachers who have shown me the possibilities of my own future: my high school English teacher in Louisiana, who never said a word but quietly passed along the books that are now being banned; the first person I came out to, and the first person who came out to me; the poets who take the jumble in my mind and make it make sense, and more than that, make it *beautiful*; the kids walking out of unsafe classrooms, demanding better for themselves and their peers; the first queer character I ever saw on TV, before I'd ever known an openly queer person in my own life; my brothers; the people in my home community who struggle to reconcile what they've been taught with the diversity of the world but who do the work of learning and unlearning; the people I've never met and don't know but who share their experiences and their wisdom online and offer windows into ways of living so different than my own; the partners I've had, the families I've loved, the friends who carry me and let me bear their weight—every day, everywhere, queerness exists, as it always has and always will. We are the proof." . @averysfriend
Kharma Amos (she/her) . "A newcomer to Maine, I serve as the Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick. So far, this is my favorite chapter in the as-yet-unwritten memoir of my life as a queer spiritual leader. When I first began serving as a minister in radically inclusive, queer-affirming spiritual communities (in MCC) twenty years ago, I had to spend a lot of time fighting for a place at the table. That was true as an LGBTQ+ person wanting to be included in ecumenical and interfaith groups not always inclusive of queer voices, and it was true as a spiritual person wanting to be included in queer spaces not always inclusive of religious voices. Gratefully, the world has shifted quite a lot since then, and so have I. These days, I'm really enjoying being in a theologically diverse community rooted in spiritual principles (like belief in the inherent worth and dignity of all people; justice, equity, and compassion in human relationships; and respect for the interdependent web of all life). I'm much more interested in talking about how your belief in love translates into your daily actions, for example, than I am about whether or not so-and-so is "sinning" because of whom/how they love or what personal pronouns they prefer. There is so much that is worthy of our attention, and the world needs us to bring the fullness of our queer and human gifts to that more important conversation about how we move ourselves and the world towards transformation. I'm so glad to be here in Maine to continue the revolution." . UUBrunswick.org
Dakota, He/Him . “When I was a teenager, I often cut and colored my hair as part of my journey in self creation. I found it to be a soothing but radical act, to change my hair to better reflect how I wanted to be perceived by others. Over the last 14 years since I started cutting hair, I’ve found a specific joy in helping others shape their hair to create the image of how they want to be seen in the world. It means the world to me to be trusted with that job and to give back to my community in such a personal, and intimate way. We all deserve to feel our best selves, and often, that starts with a good haircut.” . @shag.e.coyote
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).”
Ellis, He/They . “Trans joy is radical. I mean like wicked fucking awesome kind of radical. I wish more people could experience something like it. Maybe people need to look for their book nerd joy, their dog dad joy, their quilting, NASCAR, football joy. Maybe if more people found their joy they’d leave everyone else alone. Also, go adopt a pet. Then tag me in all the cute photos you post of them.” . @eli_analog
Em/Emmet, They/Them . “These past few years I have spent settling into my body and learning to feel good in it. Yoga and breathwork help, as does living with two cats and a very cuddly pitbull. I’m learning that asking for help is also a form of giving. Shameless plugs: My business is @loud.and.local and you can sometimes find me keeping shop @heritage.seaweed (come visit)! Hello to all friends who love Good-Bad Movies and plant medicine :)” . @e.c.plausible @loud.and.local
Gaby, She/Her . “I’m Gaby, and I’m a car girl.” . Though officially retired, Gaby is an experienced car mechanic in Lisbon Falls, ME. offering repairs to LGBTQ+ folks through her shop. Keeping car costs affordable for the community and mentoring LGBTQ+ folks looking to enter a historically cisgender heterosexual male dominated field, she hopes to create a space where LGBTQ+ can feel empowered in their craft, and welcome. . g-procustoms.com
Ross, He/Him . “After ten years of living in Portland (ME), I have found myself back in my home town of Brunswick. Being a queer person hasn’t always been the easiest or most comfortable thing while growing up in Brunswick, yet I find myself filled to the brim with queer joy on every corner now. Like many others I grew up with, I find my self driven and passionate about growing our small yet mighty community in Brunswick. Over the pandemic, I was able to shift gears and find work within my field of passion, which is the medical cannabis industry… in all honesty, I get to play in a lab and do fun things for work, it’s truly a blessing to my life. My true loves however, lie at home, with my husband, two cats, and dog….where we are happily buried in house projects, family get togethers, and a never ending stream of fetch and hikes in the woods. Given the whole mess the past few years have been, over all I find my self today, being thankful for those I have, thankful for the community I’m watching grow, and hopeful for each of our bright futures, not just in Brunswick, but everywhere and in each community in our lovely state we call home.” . @ross.rexx
Alphanso, He/Him - @foreveralphanso . “I was born and raised in Jamaica 🇯🇲. Growing up in a country where it wasn’t okay to be your authentic self was the hardest thing I’ve had to go through. I’m one of the fortunate few to now live in a country that I can be my authentic self. It might not always be easy here but compared to where I started it’s a lot better. I planted my roots in Maine after moving from Virginia 4 years ago. I have self-diagnosed OCD, I enjoy cleaning and organizing. When you have 2 cats and a dog you’re always cleaning. I WFH in the Finance field. I love to cook and try new recipes👨🏾🍳 I’m very much into fashion and dressing up I love to decorate, I’m always changing my space for good Feng Shui. As new homeowners my husband and I enjoy doing diy projects around the house. I’m a pop culture content creator on TikTok, I enjoy reviewing reality shows , tv shows and music. I dabble in everything since pop culture is such a broad topic.” . @foreveralphanso
River Nation (they/he) is a local artist who has operated their online store, @ThisIsRNation, since 2015, making clothes, accessories and art prints; as well as serving as a director of @QueerCraftMaine for the past year. Originally from Alabama, they graduated with a degree in biology in 2016 and found their new home in Portland, ME, in 2019. They have worked as a chemist for the past 2 years, while still participating in art events when time allowed. . @thisisrnation
Mae, She/Her.
Evan, She/They . “I'm truly fortunate for the community that's accepted me through all my evolutions, even when I couldn't. Six years ago I spent my free time at the bottom of a bottle. Sobriety found me moving to Maine where I found amazing, supportive friends along the way. It's in their glow that I find the best parts of myself and the fires we share are a daily gift. Back home my mom and dad are the kind of parents everyone deserves. What more can you say? My younger brother Scott embodies a compassion and positivity that I aspire towards every day while my older brother Andrew can and will save the world someday (so please keep an eye out for that). These are my heroes and they make it so much easier to be me ❤️ These days when I'm not restoring old buildings you can usually find me on my roller skates or rolling dice with my fellow indoor kids. Books, fitness, conversations about our feelings, and absolutely every pet I meet are keen interests of mine as well. Most importantly, you should meet my cat Donna. You'd love her! My life can feel chaotic, overwhelming, and occasionally scary but gosh, it's feel so good to finally be me. So much of my life is privileged and no small part of that is the love and support I've encountered since coming out. Thank you Maine; I'll strive to pay it forward!” . @_mostly_tired
Regan, She/They . “I came to accept that I am pansexual fairly late in life and in a heterosexual relationship. It was a rocky road at first grappling with what exactly it means for me to be "out" in a straight, monogamous partnership. Imposter syndrome galore. Straight privilege guilt galore. Thanks to a lot of therapy and a supportive partner, though, I feel like I finally understand and accept myself in my heart and not just in my head. It's an absolutely radical feeling that I wish upon every single human being on this earth. Please just love yourselves!” . @reganemilybell @mainephotoworks
Britt, She/Her . “Lately I have been thinking a lot about queer joy and how I cultivate queer joy within my own life, when it often feels like the world is on fire. I always return to community and connection. My queer joy stems from meaningful conversations and laughter with other members of our community, as well as thoughtfully curated queer events. Knowing that these spaces can be so magical and so unique makes me want to protect them fiercely, while still ensuring that they are inclusive and welcoming. The individuals behind Queely ME have cultivated such joyful and special spaces. I want to do everything I can to support and preserve the queer joy that these spaces bring.” . Britt @bee_rannosaurus is a member of Queerly ME’s board. We will be featuring the board of Queerly ME in in no particular order over time. We are thrilled to have Britt on our board!
Higher Grounds @highergroundsme, Mark. . "It's no secret that the cannabis industry is dominated by cis white male culture, a lot of it pretty toxic. Coming into the Higher Grounds of Maine project six years ago as a queer- and woman-owned effort I had two options: play by the rules of the industry (a path I've tread too often), or build something authentic to who I was and hope that in Portland our community would find us and resonate with it. I wanted to fight for space and provide jobs for queer and trans people who would otherwise face a lot of obstacles entering it as well. I knew it would be tough...cannabis is also a hyper-political industry and frankly to succeed one needs to be in front of politicians. That's also a very conservative and straight male space. I certainly have my own share of privilege and that helped me opt for kicking the door down, growing my hair out long and unabashedly queer, and putting together a completely different kind of cannabis concept, nothing like I've ever seen and have yet to discover anywhere else in the industry. It's been a huge help connecting with other queer business owners, LQBTQIA+ workers and customers here in Portland and sharing that struggle. It's a work in progress. But being true to this project has helped me be true to myself and own the queerness that I put away to fit in at a young age. I feel like I've grown immensely as a queer person over the last six years and a lot of that's due to this community, for which I am truly grateful." . @highergroundsme
The Lucky Fox Bookshop is a safe place for everyone—the voracious readers and the casual browsers, the canonical literature lovers and the high-fantasy dragon slayers, those with their heads in the clouds and those with their feet planted firmly on the ground. No matter who you are, you’ll find much more than just your next read at The Lucky Fox. You’ll find community, education, and inspiration. And if you look closely between stacks and sentences, you just might find yourself. . “I started this pop-up and online bookshop in 2021 with the firm belief that books are connective tools that nurture empathy, imagination, and curiosity. Starting this shop was also a declaration to myself that walking the paths your passions lay for you is always worth it. When I’m not popping up around Maine, I’m working as an editor, roller skating around town, rock climbing, or hanging out with family: my wonderful wife, our energetic pup Roland the Gunslinger, and our grumpy cat (and Lucky Fox mascot) Captain Fantastic.” . @theluckyfoxbookshop
Queers On Quads, @queersonquadsme . “I began Queers on Quads because I knew I wasn’t the only one who loves park roller skating and celebrating my queerness, and I wanted more of those things! We started getting together in June 2022, and we have been carving out space for ourselves at the skate parks and on the streets, looking cute, and happily blasting music the whole way. Come skate with us!” - Coco . @queersonquadsme @w1tchqueen @bridgetfquinn
Declan, He/Him . “Growth is hard. It forces you to face everything you’ve been running from and truly see yourself for who you are. I recently heard a podcast interview where the woman being interviewed jokingly described emotional growth and dealing with your feelings as “gross and inconvenient”. I love that so much. As someone with a dark sense of humor who has been experiencing a prolonged season of growth I can relate heavily to feeling disgusted and bothered by this entire process. I am having to deconstruct and rebuild everything I have spent a lifetime building walls around. It’s hard, painstakingly slow work and is literally the worst. But it’s also led me to levels of mindfulness, enlightenment, and radical self acceptance I didn’t even know existed. It is allowing me to free myself from old habits, beliefs and past experiences in order to make room for new chapters, new beginnings and new relationships. I still have a long way to go on my path to spiritual abundance but I’m so proud of the person I am becoming and the foundation I am setting for my future. Besides, I’d rather be gross and inconvenienced than trapped between a bunch of dusty old walls.” . @tranosaurus_deks
Daniel, He/Him . “Family has always meant a lot to me. I was born at Maine Medical Center and adopted at 3 weeks old. My parents moved to New Jersey where I grew up. Growing up in the 80s, in a small town in New Jersey wasn't easy for a queer kid. I was bullied from the age of 12 until the day I graduated high school. Once I reached college it would take me 2 more years to find the courage to come out and finally start living as my authentic self. After college I moved to Brooklyn and started to build and find my queer family. A family of love, support, shared experiences, and life long friendships. I lived there for 21 years and those were the most impactful years of my life. And now I am back. Back to where my journey started. My husband works at Maine Medical Center, I have a huge biological family all around, and have started to find a new queer family of friends here in Maine. Recently, I started a monthly Queer Family gathering with some old and new friends and am hoping to have it be a regular thing that allows for any and all queer Mainers to have a place to be supported and celebrated. Because no matter how a family is created, everyone deserves to be a part of a family of love.” . @dbgreener
Devyn, She/Her . “Fuck you, SCOTUS. We’re paying attention and we’re not going away.” . @devynshaughnessy
Zoe, She/Her . “My passions are my identity. From being a violinist to artist to writer to filmmaker to teacher and now a sailor, I’ve always known my life path was going to be something unconventional. When I finished undergrad in 2020, I followed one of my childhood dreams of working as a deckhand on tall ships (aka traditionally rigged sailing vessels). It was an industry I had very little prior experience in, but I had the enthusiasm and courage to make up for that. Two years later and I’ve sailed down the entire East Coast of North America and through much of Casco Bay. It has been transformative. I’ve made deep and beautiful friendships and sang all the sea shanties you could think of below deck with my crew. Beyond leading a romantic life, I found space to examine the deeper nuances of my gender expression through sailing. I’ve learned about healing from trauma and finding community with many people seeking the same. Since tall ships is such a small world, what I do, and my love for it, has either been inspiring or intimidating. Sexism from the outside world was something I bore the brunt of. For every thoughtful comment and question, there were the opposite: I’ve been called many things from “scary” “the tough one” to “too pretty to be doing this job.” I’ve continued to not become more palpable by asking any version of “what do you mean?” in response. It’s a way to stand up for myself in a strong but quiet way. In turn I find crews I know I will be held and seen by. This is where the heart of the experience come from; the joy of sailing, finding adventure, and found family outweighs anything the outside world can say. You protect each other, and you always find a way to laugh together.” . @zapthena
LGBTQ+ Centered Bird Watching with Samaa is this upcoming Monday, October 10th 8am at Fore River Sanctuary in Portland! Meeting at the trailhead at end of Rowe Street. Free to register with suggested donation of $10.00 to support Queerly ME’s development as a non-profit. Join us for a casual walk across the Marsh in the morning, with binoculars provided to share. Warm drinks and warm clothes are encouraged! Let’s go and spot some birds! . Registration is on our website under “events” or linked directly through our profile in our “announcements”highlight. Samaa Abdurraqib has spent 9 years as an amateur birder. The bulk of her birding experience has taken place in the northeast (Maine and New Hampshire), but she's also participated in birding excursions in Texas, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Mauritania. She loves getting others amped up about standing or sitting around and staring at birds.
Raven & Crow Co LLC, Brunswick ME . Raven & Crow Co LLC is a Queer owned and operated metaphysical shop and espresso bar in Brunswick, ME. Raven & Crow Co. was founded on the principle of providing a space where members of pagan religious groups, magickal practitioners, and creatives could gather and be surrounded by likeminded, welcoming individuals. Founded by an LGBT team, Raven & Crow Co. is more than a metaphysical shop: it's a place where new and old alike can come to learn, grow, and bring new life to the Southern Maine magical community. . @ravenandcrowco
Dylan, He/Him . “I can’t believe how many new and gorgeous feathers I’ve grown. How I’ve been tentatively kicking ass, queer fierce joy overflowing my heart to my hands as I roll up my sleeves and plant seeds of courage and love, caring for the kaleidoscope of my people. My former lives have all helped me grow into my present, as I rise in a burst of ocean waves to fly, to sing, to dance. To keep fighting.” . @theadirondackcat
Shannon, She/Her Little Fish Doula . “I came out in 1993 on Christmas morning; 0/10 do not recommend. The early 90s were a great time to be a queer kid. We still had gay bars, drag culture was thriving, and because our elders fought and fought and fought, we were starting to see a societal shift around queer inclusion and equality. I began working in an abortion clinic in 1997, in Bangor, Maine. The director of the center was a force of nature and she saw something in me, something that she felt was worth her time and effort. That changed my life. I'll never forget the elders who mentored me, believed in me, and cheered me on. Because of them I've been able to be a mentor, a friend, a champion, and a force of nature. Working in abortion care is the best. A lot of patients would say, "How can you do this job every day? Isn't it so sad?" The answer is no. It's not sad to me to provide someone with bodily autonomy, it's joyful. Of course, there were patients whose stories were heartbreaking or terrible...but that's not because of abortion. People suffer because of misogyny, white supremacy and racism, poverty, and Queer-phobia. They don't suffer because they were given the highest quality health care they will ever receive. Abortion is liberation and I will always, always, always do what it takes to support folks who need it. I see my doula and birth work as an extension of my abortion work. Supporting folks on the spectrum of pregnancy is my calling. I heard someone in a birthing space say, "There's no trophy for an unmedicated birth." I disagree. The trophy is autonomy. The blue ribbon, the first-prize trophy is being able to make decisions based on evidence-based information. The fall of Roe isn't just about abortion. It's about who gets to make choices for us. It's about autonomy and without it, people who can get pregnant are less than full citizens in this country. That is unacceptable to me. Keep fighting. Keep loving. Keep being a force of nature.” . @sugar.to.you
Maddy, They/Them . “Hi! I am Maddy (they/them) and I live in Bath! Inspired by Andrea Gibson, here is my list of things that don’t suck (and that keep me grounded amidst the stressors of the world): • Drinking coffee on my recliner in the morning with my princess puppy nestled beside me. • 6:15am yoga. • Saturday morning bike ride to the farmers market. • Reading at the beach on Sunday morning… really just reading anywhere. • Playing games with my friends – my recent faves are “What Do You Meme?” “Organ Attack!” and “The Oregon Trail Card Game.” • Collecting flowers and veggies from my garden. • Making Sunday night dinner for my family. • Watching a whole movie series on the coach with my lover – last year we watched all the Aliens movies, then the Predator movies, then the Alien vs Predator movies (it was so epic!). This summer we started watching all the Jurassic Park movies – rawr! • A plug in vibrator next to my bed for predictable pleasure that will never run out of batteries. • Facetiming with my besties. • Little kisses and hugs with my lover throughout the day. • Hobby time (quilting and baking). • Watching videos my sister posts of my little niblings – they are adorable! Thank you Kyle for lifting up the beautiful faces of our Maine queer community 💛” . @maddy.magnuson
Kevin, He/Him . “Live, Laugh, and Love, but most of all, be proud of who you are.”
Caspian, They/Them . “There is much to be simultaneously enraged and disheartened by in this world. From global issues like systemic racism, atrocities of war, continued harm to marginalized groups, to violence in schools. And that’s just a short list. Then there are personal issues such as ruptured connections, physical and mental health, the various losses, and financial struggles that comprise our daily lives. It can all be so overwhelming. What I’ve found that’s helped me push through is appreciating those small lights in my life. A beautiful sunrise, a star filled sky, a genuine soul connection- regardless of how fleeting, the ability to share your true self with those around you and feeling both seen and embraced, while offering the same in exchange. We’re on this giant rock hurtling though space together. As a communal species we can and should rely on one another, even though we’re conditioned to think we need to carry everything alone. Keep your heart open. Speak your truth, gently. And love. Especially when it seems like it’s easier to do the opposite.” . Caspian @caspianofdelphi is the Treasurer of Queerly ME’s board. We will be featuring the board of Queerly ME in the next few weeks in no particular order. We are elated to have Caspian on our board!
Queer Camping Baxter State Park 2022
Kathryn, She/They . “As a transracial adoptee who grew up in New York City, I discovered the powers of being in wilderness gradually. It’s amazing when the noise around me is drowned out by the loudness of my thoughts, and I begin to realize that I am comforted by my own presence rather than avoiding bits and pieces of my identity. I learn new skills, become more confident in my decision making, realize I am resilient and strong, and all I want to do is share that feeling with others because everyone deserves to be empowered by who they are. It’s contagious. I feel so grateful to live in a place like Portland where nature is accessible. I am excited to support Queerly ME in building community and offering equitable opportunities for queers to explore through connection and play!” . Kathryn @bklynkaus is a member of Queerly ME’s board. We will be featuring the board of Queerly ME in the next few weeks in no particular order. We are thrilled to have Kathryn on our board!
Alex, He/Him . “The fact that i will always be trans is something that i can be proud of, and once i figured that out, i absolutely was and still am. at this point, personally, i have accepted that my experiences have shaped me to the point that i will never not be queer. i love the word queer because it is a perfect in-between word. everything you don’t know how to say is in that word. there aren’t words for seeing someone in public, dressed exactly how you never knew you wanted to dress. a confidence you never knew you wanted to have. there’s a magic in that and i want to be that. my love for words overlaps with my passion for art— i make designs with words i believe in, aimed to empower members of my community to be themselves and embrace their experiences and unique forms of queerness. the trans experience is not just special because it is magic; there is something innately human about accepting and embracing change within yourself to grow into your best self, over and over again.” . @cursedluver
Queer Camping Cathedral Pines 2022
Kathy, She/Her . “Yes, Big Bad Butch is who I am….but secret is I am a sap inside!!! I always say I came out at birth and That is true. Life is so much better when you get to be who you are from day one.” .
Queer Camping Megunticook 2022
Hannah, She/Her. Abortion care worker and doula and writer. Her book YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE is forthcoming from Atria/Simon & Schuster in 2023 and more information about her work can be found on her website, hannahmatthews.me . “Abortion care is inherently queer. Community care, intentionality, consent, imagining and creating your own future and family and body and world, autonomy, sex for joy and pleasure and connection instead of for procreation (but sometimes for procreation, if and when you want!) Every day I help someone create and protect their own experience of their body moving through the world, and every day I fall more and more deeply in love with that queer work and the constellation of humans who are doing it.” . @hannahsaysyes
Trevor, He/Him . “I feel like this year alone has been very personally a rollercoaster of good and chaotic. And part of me feels a little guilty for that, guilt that during a literal pandemic I can feel myself still grow, thrive, and prosper into someone different. In the last ten months alone I’ve met so many wonderful people, and grown closer with those whom before I only thought of in passing. Which is crazy! Coming from someone who before covid was a very successful homebody. I think it’s safe to say many had that same epiphany I did, that during this ‘panorama’ being an introvert isn't the big ole flex you think it is, especially while the metaphorical doomsday clock is ever ticking on, (like the ocean was on FIRE! Remember that!) And without delving into our current reality of murder hornets and monkeypox, I’m thankful. So very thankful for the milestones and memories that have been scattered along my path. Even now I wonder who I would’ve been if I had chosen to stay the same but am so grateful I didn’t. With that being said I relish in these bursts of happy chaos, from dinner with friends, to picnics at sunset, to watching strangers become lovers and then strangers again. It is because of this I can be less afraid and more curious or even eager for what could possibly happen next.” . @funsize.trev
Queer Camping Rangeley 2022
tk, She/They . “I’m writing on the day that Roe v. Wade was overturned. I’m supposed to introduce myself as a board member of Queerly Maine on Instagram. That doesn’t feel right when we so desperately need to taking collective action for our survival. I deleted social media from my phone as soon as the news broke, went home, and took an epsom salt bath. I could feel the news in my body and needed to release tension. I fell asleep for a long nap immediately after: I collapsed in the way your body only can after engaging a fight or flight response. I went and wandered in the woods these photos were taken for almost two hours after my nap. I listened to “A Long Way To A Small, Angry Planet” on audiobook. I needed my head to be in the stars and my eyes in nature. The initial anger of the news would never carry me long enough to work on building a better society. Yesterday, I was debating internally if I should change my first name to Envy and had my top top surgery consultation. Today, I’m afraid for every cis women and trans person I know. I keep coming back to the same Mariame Kaba quote: “Let this radicalize you rather than lead you to despair”. I think it’s vital we each find what “the work and radicalization” means for us and keep moving forward. It’s not taboo to have hope: There are many more people that don’t realize they hold power and could help than there are people terrorizing others. We can’t see everything that everyone does, but when I get overwhelmed, I try to see the people that are trying to help. Find your community, finding your group, being a helper in a role bigger than yourself? That’s how we build an irresistible alternative to this hodgepodge harm of our society.” . tk is a member of Queerly ME’s board. We will be featuring the board of Queerly ME in the next few weeks in no particular order. We are so excited to have tk on our board! @comradekalahar
Camille, They/Them . “I'm lucky to have amazing friends in Portland who love me for exactly who I am. For the first year or so after coming out, I really struggled with isolation and had to work through a lot of growing pains. It's been really incredible to see that as I've learned more about myself, and leaned more into my authenticity, my life has become so full of friendship, connection, and love. The energy from my queer community has helped me achieve some goals that have felt incredible, like making zines and learning how to play guitar! I feel really lucky that I get to be myself and I wish that for everybody, especially my trans and gender nonconforming homies (trans flag trans flag). And yeah, if there are any queers in Portland who watch One Piece hit me up!” . @howcamille
Sosanya Pok, She/Her, is the Secretary for Queerly ME’s newly formed board of directors. We will be featuring the board of Queerly ME in the next few weeks in no particular order. We are so excited to have Sosanya on our board! . Sosanya is a Cambodian-American queer woman who has lived in southern Maine ever since she immigrated to the US as an infant from the refugee camps in Thailand with her family. She is currently working full-time for the MaineHealth Hospital Billing Dept and also volunteers as the secretary and a board member of the Khmer Maine Association. In her free time she enjoys drawing, crafting, nature walks, browsing the internet for funny and wholesome memes, trying new foods, and playing video games. Sosanya looks forward to helping build a more cohesive and stronger community with and for her fellow queer people. Being queer is crucial in a world that needs more individuals who have an overall different and unique perspective in life, which can help pave the way into a society where quality of life can be much better than it is today. She hopes to see a Maine with a future of more compassion and understanding for the queer community so there is truly more diversity, inclusion and equity within this state, which hopefully can spread into the rest of the country and the into the rest of the world.
Hedda Campbell, She/Her, will be leading our flower crown making workshop this Saturday June 11th at @brunswicktopsham land trust! The event is fully booked, but reach out to be added to the waitlist. We can’t wait to see all those who have registered there! . Hedda is the person behind Primal Blossoms landcrafting & plantcare based in Southern Maine. In her work she strives to take an integrative approach to blend the needs of local flora and fauna with site specific preferences, giving outdoor spaces freedom to thrive long term.
Kaycee, She/Her . “Much Madness is divinest Sense —To a discerning Eye” - Emily Dickinson I’ve always been passionate about exploring diversity and representation in the media. I grew up in Southern Maine, then made my way to Boston and eventually Los Angeles to work in TV production. After 6 years of working on various projects, including Netflix’s Grace & Frankie, I felt like it was time to go back to my roots. I’ve been back in Maine for about a year now and although it was hard at first, there is no other place I’d currently rather be. I love the Portland area and am hoping to continue to seek out community and carve out a place for me in this world. I love music, books, and playing tennis! (If anyone wants to play sometime hit me up!) Working on moving into the digital marketing/social media work sphere and love learning about the amazing Maine Queer community through this page.” . @hendrika1991_
Annie, She/Her & Rachel, She/Her . “After working in public health and advocacy for years, I (Rachel) stumbled into wedding photography and fell in love with how transformative an affirming photo experience can be. Several years later, I get to live the dream and spend my time celebrating and documenting queer love, connection, and community. And best of all I get to do it with my partner (Annie) filming next to me.” . @annie.the.baker @rachelepperlyfilmandphoto
Maddie, they/them/she/her “Pink velvet. Pleated denim. Sleeveless cable knits. Ankle-deep cowboy kicks. Canvas coveralls. Bird-print button-ups. Bowling silks. Mock Birkenstocks. Gym shorts, tube socks, and Docs. High-tops. Thrifted band tees and Lettermans. Discounted Bean boots. Duct-taped running shoes. Bowties, and nearly every shade of blue. Suffice it to say, I come out of the closet every day. It is where the conversation between my body and my queerness began, and where it continues. For me, style and queerness feel intrinsically linked. How else to explain the metaphorical thrill of pairing vintage plaid sweater vests with compression shorts, the past and the present – wool and spandex! – threading together against convention? And is it not flowers on a grave to keep the clothes of those we’ve lost and wear them out into the sunlight again, into life again? To question the design, to grieve and to heal – it’s all sewn into my history and wardrobe as a non-binary queer person. I try to wear my gay heart on my sleeves, socks, and hat brims, to dangle it from my right earlobe, to knot it at my collar, and loop it around my waist. That way, I might more readily reach it and offer it to you if ever we're to cross paths – or runways.” . @the_kearnol
AP, She/They . “I’m AP (she/they) and I work as a multi-dimensional artist native to Arizona and now in Maine. I love supporting other artists and am reaching to build a brand that strives for empathy and reminds us what it means to be a real human. You only have one life and I’m seeking to break the traditions and societal expectations that aren’t serving our best interests. I hope when people look at the work I do they ask themselves and others “what can I do to be more empathetic?” And “what in my life isn’t serving my deepest, truest desires?” I believe people will find that they have more in common with people of opposing views to them than they previously realized. Art can do many things and there are many ways to make art. Hopefully we all find what we really want in our lives, despite pushback, and let nothing stop us in achieving it.” . @apnurir
Lindz, They/Them . “I’m a queer and trans non-binary multi-hyphenate creator who mostly makes queer and trans media for kids and families. I write books and tv, I perform and act, and I run my own small online business. I grew up in New York but for some reason always dreamed of living in Maine. That was just a pipe dream for a long time, something I didn’t think would happen until retirement (what does that mean anyways?). My wife got an opportunity to move here summer of 2019 and after some initial hesitation we drove everything we had up north. We fell in love with life here. My work can be really hard, especially considering the current political climate where trans kids and queer education are under attack. But my mental health has improved so much because I’m able to shut off the hustle and bustle of my busy and sometimes fraught work days by driving my dog ten minutes to the beach for a picture perfect walk along the water complete with majestic light houses.” . @lindzamer
Debbie, She/Her . “Hello, I’m a 58 yo transgender woman. I started HRT in March 2020 about a week before the country shut down for Covid. There was so little going on for our community for the last two years…I felt so alone for that first year…but I made some connections. I feel like my transition has hit high gear this year…It’s been a year of firsts for me. I got my ears pierced. I decided to try purple hair. I have started to learn to dance. I went to my first art museum. I even went to a Goth dance party. But most rewarding of all, I feel I’ve found my tribe, my crowd, my people..Thank you all for accepting me into this wonderful community. Love to All , Deb.” . @debbiemac763
CJ, They/He . “I started lifting weights at the beginning of my medical transition in 2017 to feel safer and more at home in my body. I suffer from severe depression and anxiety and I soon found that lifting helped my mood and helped to regulate my nervous system. This is the main reason why I’ve stuck with it and have a passion for sharing it with others! I wanted to start the Authentic Strength Project with the purpose of uplifting those who have never felt comfortable, safe, or accepted in gym spaces and allow them the opportunity to explore their bodies through strength training. Free from the unwanted messages of toxic fitness culture and diet culture. I want to make fitness more supportive of diverse bodies and to see the immense beauty they provide. My wish is for those diverse bodies to experience joyful movement, embodiment, and the satisfaction of strength. You are the expert on You; your body, experiences, and feelings. I want to hold a shame free space which encourages that intuition and is focused on honesty and on honoring where we are in each specific moment. Where people can find fulfillment in their movement journey and not exercise out of fear, guilt, or compensation. I’ve been working for some time to become a Certified Strength Coach and recently received my certification. I am in the beginning stages of exploring how I can put this to use in our community! If strength or resistance training is something you’ve wanted to explore and didn’t know where to start, or just if any of my message resonates with you feel free to reach out 🙂” . @notyourcisfriend
René, She/Her . “I am a queer, black, indigenous, South African, activist who has been living on stolen Wabanki Land for 31 years. I serve as Founder and Lead consultant of Embodied Equity, a small local LLC and Healing Arts Center, founded in 2018. As well as Lead Designer for The Ensemble of Color, a local nonprofit theater and performance collective, found it in 2015. I have always been a standard in this community. Very ecstaticly in my Black Femme Queerness. I am a walking demonstration of self love, of joy, of freedom. I am changing the world every day by changing myself.” . @renegoddessonstolenland
Topher, He/Him . “I'm out here chasing bliss, wondering all the while if here is where I’m meant to be. Sure, people have greeted me with open arms, a seat at the table and communities have become family, but what can I offer beyond what I consume and produce? Is the care I offer to this new land, to the people who were here before me enough? Am I giving to the culture here or only a gluttonous consumer and gentrifier? Many Mainers are all too familiar with the practice of discouraging outsiders from calling this place home: from the Irish, to the French Canadian, to the most recent Somali communities. Despite holding identities outside these communities, I still find myself inhabiting a body that does not look like your "typical Mainer". I grew up in LA (Los Angeles not Lewiston-Auburn) and moved here to get an education only to fall in love with the land. I felt claustrophobic at first, constantly bombarded with whiteness, but I like to think I've found the confidence to show up fully and make space for those on the fringes. It's a lot better than thinking I've just grown numb to it all. Bliss is what I find when I get on those 8 wheels. Wind billowing through my hair and earrings jangling along to the mellifluous melodies merrily playing through my phone. Childlike discoveries are made with every spin, fall, and jump. And, I find that this is exactly where I'm meant to be.” . @gnasteb0i
Jo, They/Them. queer, non-binary/trans. Former restaurant worker turned welder. . “I spent the majority of my industrial welding career as a boilermaker. There I found all the excitement, travel, adrenaline, accolades and money I had ever wanted. However, in the Spring of 2020 a veil was lifted, and I had to remove myself from the toxic environment I had so deeply embraced and adapted to. The racism, sexism and homophobia was rampant, and I suddenly realized how complacent I had become. I had taken on a mask of toxic masculinity as a survival mechanism, and not only that but I had subconsciously become a raging capitalist. When I left, I took time to heal. I began working on identifying how I had allowed myself to fall so deeply into this harmful culture. As I began studying my own racist and sexist tendencies, I was suddenly awakened to the fact that I had been able to blend in so easily because I myself identified as one of the boys, one of the straight white males who coasted through life with all the privilege in the world. And this was in fact how I discovered my transness. Eventually I came to the realization that the only way to make the trades a safe place would be to dilute the current demographic. People's Inclusive Welding was established with the hope of creating a new wave of tradespeople, one that does not participate in the gatekeeping and toxic behavior of the current skilled trades industry. I am so lucky to have found an amazing team to support me and my dream of creating an inclusive welding school in which ALL demographics of folks can feel safe. PIW is the program I wish I had had as a queer person. It's my reparation for the complacency I adopted, and it's my version of mutual aid to folks who want a leg up into a new career. It's a dream come true to see it come to fruition, and I can't wait to see where we go from here.” . @peoples_inclusive_welding @joey_hussey42069
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
Thomas Smallwood, He/They. . “I have lived in Portland for almost 20 years and am blessed to be part of such a big beautiful community. My time here in Portland has gifted my the opportunity to wear many hats: nanny, bartender, performer, restaurant manager and drag queen. I’d say it’s the hat of friendship that’s the biggest blessing!” . @tjerome77
Kasey, He/Him . “I discovered longsword fencing because I wanted to fight with swords, but I fell in love with it and Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) for the community and friendships I made. My first instructors and club embraced that I was gay, which was welcome to me in a world where other sports had for many years seemed foreign and out of reach. It's a huge honor to start and run a HEMA club here in Maine. When I'm fighting or sparring-- I feel so full, alive, and honestly... I just have a lot of fun doing it. I want Moose Historical Fencing to be a space where everyone can have that, and where anyone can train safely and grow as fighters and as people. ⚔️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️⚔️” . @moosehistoricalfencing @kaseyivanphoto
Em, She/They . “My magical practice is rooted in the alchemy of queerness, the ability to shape shift on a whim and thrive in a world that is often hostile to many aspects of my identity. I feel like "outing" myself as a witch has been similar to coming out as a queer femme, it's always been a core part of my soul, but I felt afraid to embrace it because of the violence and misogyny associated with witchcraft. I prioritize authenticity above all, and use my learned and intrinsic power as a healer to help clients reclaim themselves as sovereign beings. I use esoteric tools like tarot and energy work to gain clarity on what would serve their needs best. I believe that healing magic should be accessible to all, and would love to help support folks on their journeys! Feel free to reach out if my work resonates." . @west_end_witch
Jules, She/Her . “Recently I’ve been doing passion trades with friends where we each share something that we love to do that the other one wants to learn. So far I’ve done plant care for bread baking, sound design for film photography, and weight lifting for fiddle bowing tricks. One friend even did an in depth birth chart reading for me! It’s been a super lovely way of spending time one on one with people I love and sharing a little bit of our sparks. If anyone wants to trade a passion let me know ☺️” . @jayy_gee_bee
Connor, He/Him . “Home grown Portlander and Hair stylist at the Raven salon. Hair is my art and I love making people feel beautiful, and confident. I enjoy helping people express their individuality with unique styles.” . @connorboulaystylist
Otis, He/Him . “Portland is home, but Pandemic Portland has made me feel like an outsider. And yet, disruptions like the ones we’ve collectively endured these past two years beckon regrowth, reinvention, reinforcement, revolution, RESURGAM! I discovered my love for sewing and textiles during this time and I’m eager to share with my budding community. Find my work at @0tisito_designs or (hopefully) at your local craft market.” . @0tisito @0tisito_designs
Marpheen, He/Him . “I spent a lot of my 20s being an overachiever, trying to make a difference, being the first in my family to graduate college and go to law school and grad school, running for office, writing a book. Now that I’ve turned 30, I’m realizing that I can take a moment, pause, and breathe. I feel now that I know I can do it and I’ve got what it takes to succeed in my professional life, I’ve realized I put a lot of my personal life on hold. Time with family, going on dates, time to deepen friendships. Of course COVID had taught me that as well. So I’m entering a whole new decade of my life with personal goals.” . @marpheenchann
Will, He/Him . “So happy to be where I am in life after staying closeted most of it. I am proud to be a part of the senior community. Yes, seen a few summers, so let’s just say 60 something and leave it at that. Love being eclectic, so the term Queer fits me perfectly. I avoid negatively in life as much as I possibly can but it still happens. I gravitate toward the type of people that are positive, kind, fun and creative, they are my safety zone. The meaning of life to me in a plain nutshell is learning, especially from other people. A child at heart, simple things will always amuse me. Give me a holiday and I am there to celebrate it. I embrace who I am, proud of it, wouldn’t change a thing. I live everyday by - “Lucky To Be Different”. . dneastme@roadrunner.com
James, They/Them . “Give me a sunset. Not a bouquet of roses. Tell me a story, not how much you love me. See me for who I am, not who you want me to be.” . @the_third_and_only
Emily, She/Her . Over the span of three years, Emily has made friends with her herd of friendly goats, caring for them in rotation with a group of invested friends while producing milks and cheeses, rearing cycles of goat kids, and simply enjoying the kind and understanding company that goats can so amply provide. . @lambtrainonthetracks @send_nubez
Brigid Sinclair, They/She/He . “The biggest thing I have learned over the past few years is the importance of spreading whimsy. I’m a mermaid, circus performer, fairy, and five million other things because there will always be someone who can use a smile or who could have their mood change by being temporarily transported to a more joyous moment. I have the power to help create the whimsical world I want to exist.” . Brigid is Miss Mermaid Maine, Merfolk Maine, an international Autism advocate, and educator. @brigidsinclair
Brigid Sinclair, They/She/He . “The biggest thing I have learned over the past few years is the importance of spreading whimsy. I’m a mermaid, circus performer, fairy, and five million other things because there will always be someone who can use a smile or who could have their mood change by being temporarily transported to a more joyous moment. I have the power to help create the whimsical world I want to exist.” . Brigid is Miss Mermaid Maine, Merfolk Maine, an international Autism advocate, and educator. @brigidsinclair
Murray, They/Them . “I find it so hard to talk about myself as an artist. I could never have imagined calling myself that when I was younger. I grew up with some significant motor skills issues and so art classes caused a lot of frustration for me in school. I was creative but not "artistic". Finding this medium has been so freeing for me. I am the only one I know who does it, so there's no way to compare myself to others. I can simply create and appreciate my work for what it is.Plus, there's the bonus vindication that comes with finally putting all the shiny junk I find on the ground to good use instead of just putting it in a box and moving to like 5 different apartments without ever unpacking it.” . You can see more of Murray's work at @house_of_bedazzled_golems
El, They/Them . “Gender identity and gender expression aren't the same and understanding that helped me realize that enjoying stereotypically feminine things doesn't necessarily mean i'm a girl." . @ellojohnson
Bryan Hansen, metalsmith and jeweler (He/They) . “It has been 27 years of sifting through, learning, and relearning the world around me and I’m still finding these crucial pieces of myself that had been buried by my own or another’s “good intentions.” It’s truly never too late to go searching. It can take a long time but you are worth every bit of that effort. 👄💄💋” . @bhansenmetals
Hannah, She/Her . “My passion as a Full Spectrum doula is to support clients through pregnancy termination and abortion. I am on the forefront of seeing how families and babies are being failed in our country, so of course I understand why abortion should always be an option to pregnant people. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 59% of people who get an abortion are already parents doing the best they can to raise their children. Even though a lot of my clients are extremely thankful for their abortion, over the years their feelings around the experience can ebb and flow. Healing truly is not linear in abortion care so I often have clients who come to me for support years after their experience. For me abortion care doesn’t always look like supporting someone through an abortion they are currently going through but some time after the procedure. I hold space for my birth and postpartum clients who may have emotions around their past abortion that resurface as they transition into parenthood. When we doulas block out abortion to only focus on birth and newborn babies we are doing a disservice to our clients. By not honoring abortion as a reproductive experience we are not providing client centered care around their emotional well-being and the full spectrum of their experiences. Clients deserve better than just care centered around babies. If someone you love is going through an abortion, the best thing you can do is just follow their lead in what they need in that moment. I often hear clients say the people in their life invalidated their very real, valid emotions or even made them feel guilty for the feelings that came up for them. I find that it’s less about what you say to try to make them feel better and more about listening and creating space for them to feel comfortable sharing their story.” . @peonydoulaco
Yūki, She/Her . “Coming out during a pandemic isn’t easy. But there comes a point when the world seems like such a dark and scary place that you realize is so much more painful to lie to yourself and others than to just be who you are and let things fall were they may. I’m proud of the family that has come out to support me and I hope when COVID is over to find a community in Maine I can be a part of.” . @ladylondonberry
Krista, She/Her . “For almost two decades I have had the honor of serving not only our local queer community, but also humans from all over the world through consciousness and relationship design. We all experience barriers to our pleasure and energetic flow and when queerness is a part of our identity and evolution it takes courageous action to embody our wholeness. As a sexologist, I invite clients to intuitively transmute those barriers into power and bliss. I’m so grateful to serve every day by guiding humans to their highest consciousness for passionate, pleasure-led lives and loves. Living and breathing this path in my daily life informs my every connection and creation. May we all find our peace through openhearted pleasure.” . @krista.writes
Nina, She/They . “To me being a Queer African is to reconnect to my roots. I laugh every now and then when I repeat this mantra: ‘’How amazing that the universe knew people of kinds would be here now’’. There’s a joy in knowing that I am who I am and that is a part of my identity as a person. No one is ever just one thing, let’s rejoice in the multitude of all that we are!” . @nina_afrika
Vin, He/They . “You might know him as Vin Mercury, or Vince Reid, or Vincent Grant. You might know them as your local grocery store worker, singer-songwriter, yoga educator, queer community organizer or Law School-bound college student. After fleeing their hometown of Hollis, ME, Vince landed in Portland, and has called this place home for over three years. He intends to stay here for the rest of his life in order to help protect queer youth while also pursuing his own ambitions as an activist, artist and future public servant. He is proudly demisexual and polyamorous, and the father of two reptillian children: Thortoise the Tortoise and Loki the Lizard. In regards to gender identity, Vin describes themself as a non-binary trans man who enjoys keeping their gender expression playful. He hopes to see the day where all queer folk get to be their true authentic selves everyday, without fear, and with great love for themselves and the collective.” . @vinvinboi
Rene, She/Her . “Literally a week before the world shut down I signed a job contract that said I would move here in 3 months for at least 5 years. Moving to a new place where you don't know anyone (in the middle of a pandemic nonetheless) has been a trying experience - especially since I am very much an extrovert! In the last year and a half I've fallen in love with Maine - the woods, the water, the nature in any season, really. And knowing that's how I feel being here before even truly discovering a queer community only makes me that much more excited for the future.” . @thebakingbiologist @vivienne.obsidian
Kyle, He/Him . "Coming to Maine was the best thing that could have happened to me. It was first place that I was always queer; that no one had known me as closeted. So for the first time I got to be my authentic self from day one. I carry that with me everywhere. As a leader, I am loudly queer so that everyone can see the spaces I create are safe for all. As an artist, my identity helps me tell my stories authentically. My hope is that my work paves the way so that the next generation of artists and leaders have the framework to support everyone and build up from there." . @kyle.aarons
Yusur, They/Them . “Exploring my gender identity and self in general has been a terrifying but a beautiful journey. I've struggled a lot with finding a label for myself. On one of the days that I've been having a crisis about who I am, a dear friend told md something that I will carry with me forever. She told me "Yusur is whoever you want them to be." It was a simple statement but I think about it everyday. I think about my whole life and how I lived only to satisfy a version of someone else's imagined Yusur. But I'm learning to be myself. I'm learning that I can be trans and queer and present in whatever way I want and I'll still be me.” . @yellow.overalls
Roux, He/Him . “My philosophy on business is to be serious about what you do but have fun doing it. Let it live in the part of you that you love, that you look forward to seeing every day. That’s where you will find creativity, inspiration, and motivation to keep doing what you do best.” . @thepinkwaffleme @_r0ux_
Emma, She/Her & Justin, He/Him . Emma, Artist and director of Queer Craft ME: “I’m an artist because I want to see change in the world. I want to create spaces that welcome neurodivergence, racial diversity, disability, and queerness. The fact that I can do something that makes people feel included and valued by putting some colors and shapes out into the world, it’s my own kind of magic.” . Justin, Freelance marketer and publicist for artists, and media coordinator for Queer Craft ME: “When people ask me why it's do important to see positive and accurate depictions of LGBTQ+ characters in all kinds of stories, (books, comics, TV, movies, etc.) I tell people that not everyone has the opportunity to interact with that community or every segment of that community themselves. That means the only impression of the community comes from the media they consume. Media shapes so much of who we are. If all queer characters are unlikable characters, it contributes to negative stereotypes. If they are sometimes likeable and sometimes unlikable, this reflects the real word and people won't assume anything about queer people. As you experience stories, it's a good idea to keep in mind how different groups are portrayed.” . Emma: Emmahindall.com @emmahindall + @scrambledeggshop @justa420 . Queer Craft: Queercraftme.com @queercraftmaine ~Come to our Winter Art Market: December 18th, 12pm-6pm~
Kyah, She/They . “I’m a lifelong Mainer who can't fathom why anyone wouldn't want to live in the woods, minutes from lakes and the ocean. Find me in my natural habitats; doing theatre in Portland, swimming in Sebago, or picking up dead stuff on Higgins Beach. My husband and my three cats (Saffron, @Marquis_Xavier_Bonpurr, and Raichu) and my hamster, Apricot, are my entire heart.” . @kyah_papayah
Jen/Benny, She/Her . Jen describes herself as a “47 yo fierce queer femme. Grief cartographer. Suitor of joy. Aspiring beam of light. Lover of books and poetry and music and art. Practitioner of stitchcraft. Nature devotee. Dilettante chef. Amateur wordsmith. Collector of oddities. Maker. Roller skater. Aficionado of confetti, bubbles, and glow sticks. And hater of small talk. 'Everything but "I LOVE YOU" is small talk.'-Andrea Gibson.” . @cherry350
Jess, They/Them & Courtney, They/Them. . “We became best friends while living at the teen shelter 6 years ago, and now we’re organizers with Maine People’s Housing Coalition. MPHC’s mission is to decriminalize, destigmatize, and ultimately end homelessness through political action and mutual aid.” . Jess and Courtney were both active organizers of the Encampment outside of Portland City Hall in 2020, and continue to tirelessly work toward @phc_me’s mission to this day. . @phc_me @comrade_jess_falero Donate to Maine People’s Housing Coalition here: https://rolls.bublup.com/phcme/biolink
Rylan Hynes (they/them/their) is a writer, visual artist, and communications manager living in central Maine. . “My writing often explores identity, isolation, queerness, and is always inspired and informed by living in Maine. Right now I am working on revising a work of fiction that delves into queer inheritance and what we pass on to the next generation of our community. I think for many LGBTQ folks, one’s family tree isn’t necessarily a linear concept. We cultivate our own circles of support and the heirs to what we leave behind could be anyone we share an identity with — and I think that’s pretty magical. Part of what I love about my job at The Telling Room in Portland is that I have the opportunity to support and celebrate queer youth who are writing in our state. I’m inspired by their work every day, and I hope that by amplifying and lifting up their voices we can create a richer literary landscape that’s inclusive of LGBTQ experiences in every genre. It’s never too early to take someone’s writing seriously and to support them as they grow as an author.” . @rylanhynes
Kari, She/Her . “My name is Kari (she/her) I am a person in recovery and a harm reduction advocate. I am the Executive Director of The Church of Safe Injection and a peer support specialist at Spurwink on the Opioid Home Health team. I enjoy fall in Maine and just living in the moment. I always enjoy a good protest for a good cause or encampments at city hall.” . @msgratefulforrecovery
Mat, He/Him . “I’ve always been a very curious person, motivated by the feeling of awe. Not just thrill seeking but rather the connection between myself and the world around me, a connection that intensifies every time I lose myself in wonder. So, I suppose that’s how I like to live my life, in search of wonder and awe – whether that be in people, places, experiences or more often than not, the natural world. Someone recently described me as an experience collector, and that resonated with me greatly. Since a young age I’ve recognized the danger in sacrificing experiences and what our soul needs now, by banking on the idea we could get to it later. It seldom seemed to work out for anyone, as the future is wildly unpredictable. I understood who I wanted to be and how I wanted to live by observing so many adults I never wanted to become. I hope that doesn’t sound cold but it’s true. As a people we’ve become horribly disconnected from the natural world and forced into a system often designed to dim our light – and I’ve never wanted anything to do with that. So I try my best to live intentionally, kindly and with passion. I have travelled the world, embarked on unbelievable adventures, and met the most beautiful people along the way. It’s not been easy and at times its been incredibly messy, but I’m happy. Not that I want to leave this world tomorrow – but if I did, I am content. Seriously. Everything past this moment just seems like a bonus round. And who knows, perhaps when it’s my turn to be an old man, a young queer kid will look at me and say – hell, that’s someone I’d like to be someday. . Proudly helping queers buy/sell homes Mat@sellingmainehomes.com *Your local Queerestate Agent*” . Adventures, travels & other shenanigans: IG: Viva.la.aventura TikTok: MadeinMaine
Bridget, They/She . “I moved to Maine during the pandemic. It was a bit hard to build community but I’m getting there. But it’s also taught me to be okay on my own and to do more on my own than I ever thought I could.” Thank you so much for doing this it was great to see you last week. Let’s catch up again soon!” . @bridgetfquinn
Patrick, He/Him . “Quarantine finally made me take a second to see the person staring back at me in the mirror was a broken one. I was taught at a young age to keep a happy face on but having nothing but time makes a person reflect and see what can truly be changed if one wants to. Once I did that I realized that doors could be open and my dreams could be obtained. I’m now finally getting to live out the dreams 10 year old Patrick wanted for himself. I wanted to be a teacher, a chef, and an actor. I get to teach high school age kids about culinary and am a drag Queen under the name Ophelia Johnson. I have a loving husband and tons of cats, and with all these joys self doubt can still sneak in. It’s an everyday battle but I’m here for the fight.” . @ophelia_drag
Hallie, They/Them & Eva, They/Them . “We’re new to Portland excited about meeting all the queers and all the mountains in Maine—especially the queers who want to (slowly and joyfully) climb the mountains.” . @halliferz @furyeveryday
Nicole, She/Her . "It's taken me a long time to learn how to be comfortable in both my own skin and with my sexuality. Not every day is easy, but I'm figuring out how to celebrate the person that I am and who I've yet to become. When I moved back home to Maine pre-pandemic, everything was different. It solidified just how constant change can be, and that it's okay. This year I picked up a camera and took my love of photography as something worth sharing with people. I'm enjoying every minute of it. Being behind the lens, I want to give others the chance to feel good, too. Hopefully I can get to know some of you on my journey. ❤️" . 📸 @foggphotoanddesign
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
Liam, He/They . "Liam, you can put on literally any outfit and be confident. you're a queer icon." --recent five-star yelp review -- “Liam (he/they) is a 35-year-old poet, musician, and visual artist. he is queer, trans/genderqueer, and demisexual. he is polyamorous and has two lovely longterm partners. he will always be one of the best listeners you know. liam's art, and his gentle boldness, challenges the status quo. liam's work explores gender and queerness, classism, mental health, the sacred and the profane, the painful sweetness of love, the dimensions of desire, and the tempting shadow sides of religion and human nature. liam has a tendency to be mischievous; his loved ones have a term, "Liam'ing," for when he is trying to convince them that there are 15 types of metal that legally must be used in building treeforts. liam's debut poetry chapbook, EVERY DAY A DIFFERENT DAREDEVIL, is available through @LUPERCALIApress (2021).” . @broverwhelming
Lindsey, She/Her is a burlesque performer and performance artist. She moved to Maine in 2016 after traveling around Asia, Europe & living in New Orleans. . “I finally feel at home in Portland. After years of struggling with my identity. I feel that I’m finally surrounded by a loving supporting community who give me the strength and courage to be myself & explore who I am.” . @mystiqueburlesque
Jaime, He/Him . "I've been thinking a lot lately about what it means to be happy and connected. I keep struggling with certain ideas, like the feeling that I need to be constantly productive, or that I have to meet a certain aesthetic or professional standard to have value. I've worked hard over the years to unlearn those ideas, and I take extra care not to believe those things about others... but it's especially hard to unlearn those things in reference to myself. I'm gonna continue working on accepting my 'flaws', probably for the rest of my life, but I am finding that work a lot more tolerable when I move through it with community. As long as you have compassion, lead authentically with love and are doing your best, you're flawless. ✨ I think, anyway." . @wingedprints @jaimewing
Queerly Camping Trip - Mount Blue
Tadin, He/Him . “It took me a long time to understand and feel confident expressing my queer identify. As a cis man who presents fairly masc, I often felt uncomfortable with what being a man was supposed to look like a according to society. Eventually I realized I could express my feminine side and could wear clothing that reflected that, and that wouldn't make me less of a man. I feel very grateful for the community around me that's supported me throughout my life. I still have a long way to go but getting better every day." . @bigbrowngoat
Lauren, They/Them & Shaun, She/Her . Shaun: “‘We are powerful because we have survived, and that is what it is all about- survival and growth.’ ― Audre Lorde There have been times in my life I haven’t had a voice. Powerlessness at the hands of others. I have had my own journey reclaiming my voice, my autonomy, my agency, and my power. I am a survivor! I get to choose today - One of the choices I make each day, is to work for a social justice agency that holds space for survivors of gender based violence. Empowering others to find their voices and their power. I am a proud queer from Maine!” . Lauren: “~I didn't choose the priest life, the priest life chose me~ There's a saying the we should be the people we never had as a kid. That's one part of why I live visibly as a Queer, Transgender non-binary faith leader. I live visibly for those who can't, for those who are finding their way, for those who need to see someone like me in a position like this to help them believe they are valid, worthy, and loved. God loves you! And so do I. And if you aren't into God, that's cool, we still love you. Let's grab coffee and talk about all the things. Especially if you're into justice and making the world a better place for all that finds home in this world we live in!” . @nothingisamistake @rovingrev
Ryn, She/They . “When things feel imbalanced, I go to the ocean. I watch the trees. My therapist says I should take myself out on dates, so I’ve been driving along the coast, stopping anywhere with a scenic view, and drinking bubbly water infused with hemp or CBD. I’m not sure if it calms me or if it’s placebo, but does it really matter? I just moved to Portland a month ago and I’m feeling grounded. … I’m also learning how to skateboard so queer skaters wya 👀” . @ryncurnan
Michael Donovan, He/Him . “I’ve lived in South Portland for the last 20 years and I have been fortunate enough to be a part of an amazing theater community, with theaters within a few streets of each other. South Portland is home to two venerable community theaters, Lyric Music Theater and The Portland Players. Community theater has given me many opportunities and I am thankful. But like all theaters, and the arts in general, the pandemic has hit hard. With my home theater, The Portland Players, it has been sixteen plus months of no income. But hopefully, all local arts organizations will be able to keep going and continue to bring art, theater, music and dance to our wonderful city. Please, donate to your favorite local creative groups and keep the community rich with the arts!!” . @michaeldonovan1973
Queerly Camping Trip - Baxter State Park
Kai, They/Them . “I moved to Millinocket in early 2018 after my little one was born and had to hide my queerness for survival. I moved back the end of 2018/early 2019 and have had to navigate finding my space in the local queer community altogether again. It’s harder now that I’m a parent, I don’t have the same opportunities for outings and events. The pandemic definitely put a hold on a lot too. I officially came out as non-binary during the pandemic (and have been out as pan sexual for years) and it’s been a an interesting journey navigating that especially when I couldn’t see friends or talk to anyone. It would be nice to have more kid friendly queer friends in my circle. The biggest thing I’ve learned though regardless of everything is that I don’t owe anyone an explanation of my queerness to still be queer, I don’t need to hide who I am to still want respect, and I don’t owe anyone androgyny. Everything else is just about my happiness and keeping my little one happy and healthy.” . @mamakai__
Sam, She/They & Airynn, She/Her . “‘We are two hearts but with one beat. Two brains but with one thought. Two souls but with one… shoe.’ - Alfalfa” . @samibtattoos @tattoosbyairynn
Mack, They/Them . “Work hard, be kind.” . @findthetools
Sam, He/Him . “Quarantine was difficult - lonely, divisive, and exhausting. But, during COVID I learned to love a little differently. I think COVID brought humanity to the front. I learned to love deeply and radically. I was reminded of personhood, I got to meet and love my neighbors in a whole new way. I was reminded that everyone is deserving of love. Everyone. No exceptions. Hard stop. Support your unhoused neighbors. Show compassion and love recklessly.” . @sammywol
Jess, She/Her . “I’ve been doing a lot of learning and unlearning about myself and who I want to be in the world. In the last year or so, I’ve gotten myself quite comfy with the fact that I am queer, polyamorous, and definitely still a work in progress.. which is totally okay, because I get to make my own timeline in life. I have an adorable polycule and I feel immensely lucky to surround myself with so many lovely people. I took time during quarantine to get certified as a realtor, and I’m excited to be in a “professional” career where I can still have purple hair and swear a lot in front of clients (hit me up on @jessgrayrealtor if you need a sassy queer pro who will work exceptionally hard for you). I’m just trying every day to be authentic and loving, to others AND to myself. And I’m also doing things like baking all the time, questing for tiny Miller High Life bottles, and trying to force my dog to snuggle with me. TL;DR Life is a lot but it can be pretty lovely sometimes.” . @uhhhhhhokaybye @jessgrayrealtor
Queerly Camping Trip - Swan Island
Nick, He/Him . “I have been trying to queer up any space I'm in lately, especially while at work. I think it's important to represent the community but also represent and make space for myself.” . @npierce88
Mel, They/Them & Pete, He/They . Mel: “Hello, I’m new here. During the pandemic, a lot of priorities shifted for me. I left my toxic, full time job. I prioritized my health. I left NYC and moved here. And, of course, pursued making art & freelancing full time. Portland, Maine is the first place that has ever felt like home for me. I’m looking forward to planting my roots here & making new friends!” . Pete: “I feel truly blessed to live in such a welcoming community, surrounded by beautiful nature. I’m gonna be friends with everyone here.” . @mel.andrel @peat.earth
Chris, He/Him . “Life happens fast. It’s ok to slow down. Take naps.” . @mr.jonesing
Lydia, She/Her . “I moved to Maine almost 4 years ago and have spent much of the last few years creating a positive self-love and acceptance with my identity as a bisexual woman. Though I’ve developed lovely relationships with coworkers, friends, and partners, I’d really like to find more of a home in the Maine queer community. I enjoy kickboxing, rock climbing, nature walking, coffee and cocktail drinking, Mexican food eating, and petting other people’s dogs. If any of these things sound like fun to you, I’d love to hear from ya!” . @susiecrabcake
Chelsea, She/Her & Laura, She/Her . Chelsea: “I believe in taking risks, and that you can reinvent the path of your life- even though it’s scary to do it. My wife and I fell in love over 10 years ago- which made us change the paths we were on to create our new happy life! This spring I overcame my fears and created a plus size consignment boutique. I launched @artemisplussize, a resale shop/co-op where you can sell and buy affordable plus size thrift. The shop is going strong with diverse styles and celebrates all plus sized bodies! I’m really excited to grow on this new creative path!” Laura: “There is no discovery without risk and what you risk reveals what you value” - Jeanette Winterson . @artemisplussize. @chixxie
Whitney, She/Her . “Making jelly is my newest passion. I’ve started foraging over the past year, inspired by @blackforager. Foraging has pulled me out of the apartment during depressive episodes, taught me how to mark the changing of seasons, and how to live in balance with my surroundings. I’ve made lots of treats this year - crabapple jelly and crabapple cider vinegar (I even have a vinegar mother now!), autumn olive jam, apple butter/sauce and apple cider, pear jam, dandelion jelly, rose hip tea, pine tip syrup. Food is my love language, so foraging has also given me a way to bestow my friends and family with little reminders of my affection while we’ve been separated.” . @whitneyastanley
Owen, They/Them . “I strongly believe that most, if not all, of life’s most important lessons are eloquently conveyed through the shenanigans of Calvin and Hobbes.” . @thesunneversetsonabadass
Tori, She/They & Brian, He/Him . “Ryleigh is our big baby. She’s four but acts like a big puppy. We have so much fun together with her. Me and Bri were friends in high school but reconnected about two years ago and we adopted Ryleigh about four months ago. Ry Ry previously belonged to my dad & his partner Melissa. Melissa passed away in 2020 so I’m really thankful to have Ry-Ry with me. Something else I want to say is harm reduction saves lives. I am a naloxone distributor w Maine Access Points (MAP) and I hope when ever someone walks by and sees me smoking weed on the front steps and baby yodi holding narcan on the mailbox they will feel free to ask me about naloxone for themselves or their loved ones. Thank God for community , mutual aid and dogs.” . @tori_tori_stories
Dax, He/Him . “I’m a social worker, I’m in recovery, I’m biracial, I’m gay, I make techno music, I’m a Pisces and my saving grace is Leo moon. I moved to Portland from boston about five years ago, to start over. My life was out of control, and I was finally ready to try something new. I’m very grateful for all of the wonderful people I’ve met here who’ve helped me along my way. Cancel culture is something that I have come to understand as poisonous. Having difficult, awkward, messy, in other words “honest” conversations is the only way out. When we can sit with one another and not leave till the conclusion. If love is not the conclusion, the work is not done.” . @discodungeon
Ollie, He/Him . “Loves to take any opportunity he can to adventure! Ollie is always searching for new places to explore and to enjoy others company. Creating is a very spiritual passion for him, whether it is photography, design, painting or fabric dying. He is always looking for ways to incorporate a message into his work. Activism and Social Justice are very important to him! Ollie is always ready to rally and have conversations about the ways we can all pitch in and be better allies to our communities. #BLM #TransLivesMatter #housingisahumanright #NarcanSavesLives Currently Ollie has a Pride Pop-up of Pride Tye-Dye T-Shirts and Lighters featured on his art Instagram @ollie_mcgowan_art Please check it out!!!” . @ollie_mcgowan
Beka, She/Her . “I’m a quintessential Libra sun, lover of all things pink, devoted Swiftie, interior designer who’s bored by your white kitchen, cat mom, aspiring roller-skater, and lifetime Acadia hiker. I’ve been many different versions of myself. It took me 24 years, a decision to finally live for me, and the most wonderful friends I’ve ever known to find this version: the one I love the most, the one that feels the truest. I’m immensely proud to finally know that I’m a lesbian, and to be a part of this gorgeous LGBTQ+ community! To anyone still figuring themselves out: take your time exploring the identity and/or sexuality that feels like “home” to you. And don’t forget that there’s a whole bunch of us waiting for you on the other end with open arms, whenever you’re ready 🌈” . @bekabarski
Beth (She/Her) and Tania Sturtevant (She/Her) with their daughter Sophia (She/They). . “We have been together for 31 years now! It hardly seems possible, time passes so quickly. We became parents more than 20 years ago to our daughter Sophia; best decision ever.” . Be sure to see Sophia’s photography @bysophiasturt and Tania’s art @threeheartstudio.
James, They/Them . “When Kyle Warnock agreed to be involved in my upcoming photo series and asked me to be involved with his in return, I was thrilled. As two very different photographers both primarily photographing queer subjects in very different ways, our meeting in real life had been quite overdue. However, I was NOT prepared for this photoshoot. I had misunderstood the plans we made and thought that ~I~ would be shooting ~him~ on this day. Not the other way around. I'm happy that's what happened though, because I think not having put myself in the headspace of "I'm being photographed today" until moments beforehand added an extra layer of vulnerability to shoot that might not have been there otherwise. For me, so much of the portraiture I do is about finding beauty, power, and authenticity in those moments of vulnerability. I'm delighted with the sides of me Kyle witnessed: someone who is often a little bit flustered, typically a little bit self conscious, and usually a lot bit goofy.” . @the_third_and_only
Devan, He/Him. . “Life is quite simply a journey of self discovery. As a young gay man who has spent most of his life in small-town Maine it took me a while to truly find “me.” To have your family and friends accept you for who you are is one thing, but to accept yourself is another. For some it can take a lifetime. I did not come dancing out of the closet. It was gradual and quite hard. I slowly peeled back the layers of repression that had built up during childhood. The more people I told the more I became comfortable. Regardless how much of a struggle it was, it was ever so worth it. This past year at home has allowed many of us to reevaluate ourselves. At this point in my life I can say that I have truly reached a point of self acceptance and love. It’s a great feeling...one that I think everyone deserves. It only took me 18 years.” . @devannewell
Ian, They/Them . “Queer is the best word to describe me, there are other more specific terms, of course, but queer encapsulates my heart more than anything else I've encountered." . @dekalldarkestarr
Eddie, He/Him. . “My parents served in the military and so, growing up, I was able to see a lot of the world. We moved a lot, and sometimes this took us overseas to other countries. People would often ask me if it was hard moving all the time. When you’re that young and moving frequently, it just becomes normal. It IS sometimes hard to leave a place or friends behind, but i think the one thing that always carried me forward was the thought that “If I didnt move, I wouldn’t have met the people that are in my life” .I wouldn’t have seen or experienced the different languages, and cultures that are out there. You take little pieces of those places and people with you. I think traveling is incredibly important because it dispels a lot of the illusions and fears we may have of each other. Traveling shapes you, and the connections we make sometimes flesh out the details of our character. When getting to know me, you’re getting to know the echoes of friends and loved ones that I met along the way, that are very dear to my heart. I love art, I love to create and give my imagination an outlet to tell a story. I’m a huge advocate for fitness in the context of bettering ones mental health. Exercise gives my mind and body the movement and clarity it needs to stay grounded and positive. I love horror and comedy. I dabble in Astrology and love all things occult. Traveling is important to me, in case that wasn’t apparent. I love my friends and family, including the queer ones I’ve made here in Portland. I love the Queer community of Portland and seeing them being represented through this page! Most of all, I love my raccoon husband of 10 years @grex5000 , you might have the others fooled, but i know a raccoon when i see one!” . @dimitried
Dylan, He/Him. . “I first moved to Maine in October of 2012, shortly after a break up. My best friend from college came with me and we temporarily hunkered down in my parent's beach house. This would turn out to be one of the first times I learned that relocating physically doesn't really solve your problems -- and maybe I wasn't ready to admit things weren't going so well within me. I only lasted here for six months. Four years and a lifetime later, I moved back to Maine circumstantially after a death in my immediate family. It's been a long journey, but I'm happy to report that things have never been better. And even though I'm not much of an "ocean person", I recognize how important it is that so much of me is water. I'm finally just thankful to be alive.” . @dna___89
Nicole, She/Her . "I'm a queer femme printmaker (@radicalemprints / radicalemprints.com) & freelance graphic designer. Pisces sun/Taurus moon/Leo rising. Typography nerd. Probably too earnest but what's a Pisces to do when the world is always on fire? Deeply grateful to be a part of the community of beautiful & badass printmakers at @pickwickindependentpress. Also: hang in there, friends. Queers know that our connections to each other are strong enough to get us through many storms." . @radicalemprints
Rebecca, They/Them . “COVID winter was rough. Around mid-January, I couldn’t stop crying. Friends and coworkers were starting to notice. I finally worked up the energy to make a doctor’s appointment, sobbing the whole time. She started me on a new medication, saying, “We weren’t meant to be in fight or flight for this long.” Recently, I saddled up my roommate’s dog for a walk at Pleasant Hill Preserve. The air was thick and fresh. Mud pulled at our feet. We watched the birds gossip and fly below fast-moving clouds. For the first time in a while, I thought, “I’m glad I’m still here.”” . @starrrrrrrrgh
Demetri, He/Him . “In quarantine I needed community more than ever. I always knew about this vibrant intersection of queer folk and extreme music. I missed going to shows and connecting with this community so badly that I decided to start the podcast to reach out and say "You're not alone, Punk!" The response has been so affirming from my queer family! And SURPRISE, the gays are very good at getting though tough times!" . @gayformetal
Maya, Ey/They/She . “I'm a writer and actor based in Portland, and I am the Sexual Assault Program Coordinator for MaineTransNet. It's always nice to know that although the queer community in Maine is small, it's not as small as we think it is. Look at all the beautiful people Kyle has photographed! I have lived here since 2017 and it feels like home because of the Black people, the queer and trans people, and QTBIPOC I have the honor and privilege to be in community with. Be sure to check out @mainetransnet trans specific resources. If you'd like, you can also check out @dyinglaughing_column where my video/podcast series with my best friend @poetinthehat (they/them; based in Atlanta, GA) where we take turns talking about the representation of suicide and mental health in entertainment." . @emmdubb16
Nat, She/Her . “I’m Nat. She/Her pronouns. We just moved to Portland in the fall & are looking to make some friends! I’m a photographer. I love working with people. I specialize in boudoir, portraits, engagement shoots, nudes and fine art photography. My Instagram is @natkeltonphoto. My partner Joey (He/Him), deals in antiques & collectibles. He specializes in ephemera from the turn of the century. His Instagram is @n_j_antiques. We’d love some friends to go thrifting with or try out new coffee shops!” . @natkeltonphoto @n_j_antiques
Laura, She/Her. . “Rediscovering, relearning, and healing myself and as a queer, polyamorous woman has been like coming up for air, my lungs burn and I’m a bit scared, but for the first time in a long time I feel totally in awe of the person I’ve become. My younger self would have never believed any of this were possible.” . @trashmum
Gabrielle (She/They) . “I’m leaving Greater Portland again at the end of the summer to manifest my caretaker dreams at Yale University. In a few years I’ll finally be a midwife & nurse practitioner. I spent about 10 years to make this happen, and what I have learned along the way is that the best way to take care of others is taking care of yourself first. . Greater Portland is forever one of my homes though. It’s not ever goodbye, it’s see ya later 🌱” . @unruly_awuor
MINX, They/Them . “Always inspired by Queen B. Making Portland feel like home as a biracial, gender fluid queer person has been a challenge. But every day I wake up and live my fantasy and you can’t tell me anything about it.” . @minx_coat
Hayli, She/Her & Ophelia, She/Her . “Since moving to rural Scarborough in 2019, we’ve missed the queerness and vibrancy of Portland. But staying at home through the pandemic has helped us make the most of this place we call home. We painted our house purple. We fly our Pride and Black Lives Matter flags along with the original Maine flag. We strive to be good landlords for the lovely people that have lived in our second unit. We build new trails in our woods to share with neighbors. When we hear folks say that they want to keep their towns the way they are, that they don't want their perfect slice of Maine to change, that comes through our filters of being visibly queer people or being a person of color too frequently told to "go back to her country." No place is stagnant. And shouldn't we hope that places change for the better because we dared to exist there? Scarborough is changing. Queer people have come before us. Queer people are still here. And we hope we’re queering the community to help others feel safer and bolder.” . @opxihk
Kit Costas Reyes McCann, They/Them . “Non-binary/agender Therapist for transgender and queer youth Appalachian Trail ‘13 thru-hiker Nerd alumnus of the Maine School of Science and Math Bicoastal coast guard kid Greek roots without any culinary skills Polyamorous houseplant person Laughter enthusiast A young person once told me I was probably made out of rainbows, and I’m pretty sure I’ve spent the entirety of my life trying to live up to that.” . @trailkit
Aly, She/Her . “When I first identified as bisexual in middle school, classmates thought I was saying it because I was an attention hog. I come to you today proudly saying; both realities are true. For those, like me, who continually struggle with imposter syndrome because you don't "fit" into the LGBTQ+ box you resonate with, you are always evolving and there can be more than one "genuine" you. Like Oscar Wilde said, ‘Be yourself, everyone else is taken.’” . @ayoungpilgrim
Alexis, She/Her . “Finding a community and expressing myself has been one of the most liberating experiences in my adult life. Joining this project out together by @truthspeaks207 has been one of the most rewarding things I've done since moving to Portland. Being true to myself while celebrating other community members and listening to their stories has been inspiring. Dance Activism has allowed me to find a path to healing and reconciliation with apart of me I've long neglected. I'm excited for my "rebirth" and to dance my way into my actualized self.” . @alexisstrain
Marina, She/Her. . “I moved back to Maine to be near family. For nearly a decade, I spent more time on busses trying to get to my family than actually with them. With covid, I live within 15 minutes of so many of the people I love, and I can’t see them. When I feel isolated I take to the woods. It’s my solace from missing them.” . @boatyahd
Audrey (she/they) and Mea (they/them) . “We’ve spent so much time in the last year together, just the two of us, between quarantines, shelter-in-place and working from home, that we’ve basically developed a secret language. And sometimes we worry that we’ll never be able to integrate back into society. We make make each other laugh everyday, we planted a bunch of garlic, and our parakeets have learned how to imitate the sounds of the oven.” . @audrexe @meastarry
Emery, Them/They . “Mainer born and raised. Loud, queer, and definitely weird. 🤘🏼 I am currently a nursing student and work full time at a psych hospital in the adolescent unit. I absolutely love working with these teens and hope to eventually open a foster home to provide a safe queer space for teens that may have never experienced that. In my free time, I love exploring the woods with my pup Hobbes and also training martial arts. My gender identify has been a long exploration and I am finally beginning to feel comfortable in my own body. It’s been amazing to see so many like minded people through this project! Keep being you, fighting all the bullshit stigmas, and let your queerness thrive!! 🖤🖤” . @gauthier_em
Oronde, He/Him & Catherine, She/Her. . "This photo feels incomplete with just two of us representing Speak About It. We wish we could cram all 10 of our staff, every educator from the past ten years, and literally every human who has helped us in ways big and small into this photo. Our hearts long to see that photo: a gorgeous rainbow of folks from Portland and beyond who have shown up for this little non-profit. There are countless people who have helped build this organization and who want to build a future where inclusive, affirmative, consent and sex education is accessible to everyone, and where honest conversations about boundaries and desires are the norm. If we did put everyone who has loved on SAI in one photo, a huge part of that photo would be Portland's queer community. We would not be here--literally the two of us would not be here in this goofy photo and Speak About It would not be here--if it weren't for the love and support that the queer community has so consistently and generously shared." . @wespeakaboutit @orcrug @grandpabuxton
G, She/They. . “I’m still pretty introverted and camera-shy, but not as bad as before I was out. I actually smile for pictures sometimes now, which is a nice start. I think being my authentic self is really helping me come out of my shell.” . @laoshigee
Meg, They/Them. . “I want to remind folks that you can explore your gender identity and/or expression at any time in your life. For me, being a woman fit for a long time. Then, in college, womanhood felt like an itchy sweater that I couldn’t take off. Luckily, I had a good friend talk with me about gender identity over breakfast one day. I expressed how I felt about my gender, and they offered to refer to me with they/them pronouns. It felt like they were giving me the gift of a new sweater, one that I could try on just around them to see if it felt cozy. It felt perfect. So, despite what the world might be telling you, you DESERVE to take the space to explore your gender identity. You deserve to find a sweater that fits.” . @meglynch108
Samaa, She/Her. . “One of the whitest things about the late 1980s was Nestle's ad campaign designed to convince us that their white chocolate bars (Alpine White bars) were actual chocolate rather than the sweet wax we all knew them to be.” . @rahmah500
Amanda, She/Her. . "Before the pandemic, I had just been getting into burlesque and stand up. I really miss the feeling of being on stage, of getting to hear people laugh and cheer and know that I made someone's night better. I find being creative, writing material or coming up with numbers, helps me process the difficult events in my life as well as helps me push through the present. Right now, it's been a real uphill struggle though I live alone so at times the past nine months have been very challenging. And I'm still trying to do the things I love, even if it looks a bit different than I was expecting it or sometimes it takes me longer because everything tires me out faster than usual. I've been writing a lot more and hope to get a few projects off the ground next year. I want anyone struggling right now to know, especially my fellow queers with mental illness: You aren't alone. I can't promise things will get better any time soon, but I can promise you a lot of people are glad you're still here and care about you. And its ok that you need to rest more than you were before or aren't writing the next, great American novel. Take care of yourselves as best you can." . You can keep track of what Amanda is up to on Mainelymandy.com or on Instagram @mainelymandy
Hedda, She/Her. . "I'm an out of work, roller derby athlete who is staying busy with side gigs while finding creative ways to keep fit and finding joy in the mundane. Current mantra: 'Be Strong, Eat Food, Be Kind, Make Fire'.” . @heddaflame
Nathan D. MacDonald, He/Him. . “My dream: I drive home with my husky on a rainy spring day after running to a bakery/café for brunch items (Gay, I know 😛). I open the door of my home and the husky runs in to greet my partner, I follow shortly behind to ensure they have enough time to say hello to the pup before I arrive so he can give me a non-dog distracted welcome home. We enter the house rummage through our haul of pastries and caffeine and pair them with the substantive food my husband has cooked. We sit down at the kitchen island and profess how much we missed each other during the 20 minutes we spent apart. After eating we each putter around the home and do some work for our various jobs. He makes calls and answers emails booking new clients, while I check in with my campaign team and policy board to ensure my renewable energy bill has the votes to pass and I am set for re-election, running unopposed. Later, we retire to the fireplace in our living room (my partner is always cold and the romance of a fire place?👌🏼). We watch Planet Earth while my Maine Coon cat lies on my lap. The world is still turbulent, but we’re at least fighting the good fight, and enjoying the time we get to spend with one another, taking nothing for granted. Disclaimer: the role of my partner in this dream has already been filled by the lovely photographer who took these photos.” . @innateadventure
Rexy, Any Pronoun. . “Being queer has always been part of my identity, whether or not I was fully aware of it. Growing up, I absolutely didn’t feel like one of the girls, but was never truly one of the boys- it’s a tough and confusing place to be in, especially when you dont have the vocabulary to express it, or role models to help you navigate it. My hope is always to reach young people that might be questioning how they fit in- if they hear my music or see me and think, “oh! I don’t have to be type A, or type B, I can be like that person!” then hopefully I’ve effected them in some positive way. Dress how you want, be yourself, life is short." . @rexydinosaur
Noah Krell (he/him), Dani Fazio (she/her), and Jacob Krueger (he/him) are three of the four queer-identifying providers, who along with two other allied therapists offer LGBTQIA+ affirming mental health, recovery, and spiritual care at Therapy For The People. “We opened our doors at 57 Exchange Street in Portland/occupied Wabanaki Confederacy territory just five weeks before the pandemic forced us to close them to in-person sessions. It felt devastating at first, but also created the space for us to be resourceful, flexible, and adaptive. We’ve been using telehealth exclusively since March, and are constantly in awe at the resilience shown by the folx we work with, as we all navigate these new realities. Our primary goal for creating Therapy For The People, was to center our work within the queer community and provide support to folx in their personal experiences of healing and self-understanding. In addition to being a place for clients, Therapy For The People is also a vibrant co-working space for therapists who want to work in private practice and have the experience of community, peer relationships, and business support. We’re hopeful that as we grow, more therapists and healers will come and join us.” . @therapyforthepeople_ TherapyForThePeople.org
Jocelyn, She/They . “An Aries with a Capricorn moon, an artist, and queer. My main areas of focus right now are transgressing heteronormative spaces, in and outside of myself, to queer white supremist delusion, heteronormative conditioning, time, and space, as well as sexuality and gender. I am in graduate school and moving into writing and performing a thesis that intersects academia and art. I am also running for City Council in South Portland! My platform is focused on dismantling whiteness within myself, first and foremost, and at the public service and local government level. I will work to do that regardless of whether I get elected or not because now is the time. Black Lives Matter, Black Trans Lives Matter, and the work is not over, it will never be for white people. We need to continue to show up and do real work.” . @jocelyn_eleanor
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
Celeste, She/Her • “No amount of applause or attention is going to make you feel the validation you’re seeking from within yourself.” • @celsty
Flo (she/her) is a dentist at Great Falls in Auburn and Donna (she/her) is a librarian-turned-housewife. They live in the Rosemont neighborhood of Portland with their two labs, Maybellene and Montgomery. Flo: "Building and being part of my communities is important to me. I'm on the board of EqualityMaine to support my queer community. And for my people of color community, I started a monthly networking happy hour, Fourth Fridays (@fourthfridayme). When covid put a pause on that, I began a weekly podcast/talk show on WMPG, In the Pocket (@in_the_pocket_wmpg). It features artists and activists sharing their narrative on art, culture, activism, and living as people of color in Maine." Donna: "Sometimes it is hard for me to just straight up call myself a housewife. The connotations haven't always been great. But in the context of a queer relationship, we have already freed ourselves from some of the burdens of the patriarchy. Why not this one? My greatest loves include cooking, gardening, baking, dedicated volunteer work, and caring for my wife and our sweet dogs. If we can arrange our lives to make this my job, why not do it? It takes some trust and some sacrifice on both our parts, but in the end we both have a better life for it." . @the.flo.edwards, @maybelleneinmaine
Lana, She/Her. . Drummer in @caveboymusic Graphics/posters @heyposterlady Co-being to Django @misterbabyboi_xoxo Born and raised in Montreal, Canada. Can be seen wearing backwards hats, drinking coffee/eating ice cream on stoops, rollerblading, building IKEA furniture, and delivering (your) groceries. New(ish) in town and only just beginning to discover the vibrant queer community here in Portland. Thanks for welcoming me with open arms!” . @lanadelcoonster
Britt, She/Her. . “I’m a lawyer by day. My work focuses on power-based personal violence and discrimination, so it can be really heavy. I needed something tactile to help reduce my anxiety. I started making aromatherapy relaxation dough. I recently began sharing the dough with others through my company Birch & Grey Co. Initally I felt really vulnerable about stepping so far outside of my comfort zone, but I have fallen in love with the process of making and sharing something that brings people simple joy.” . You can find Birch & Grey Co. here @birchandgreyco
Dani Graham, She/Her. Electrical designer/Artist/Illustrator. @artofdanigraham “Just another fruit loop in a world of Cheerios.”
Kyle, He/Him. . “Live your life as you had imagined.” . @beamazing0123
VIVA she/her . “All I know for certain is that I have this moment, however long it lasts, and I have my values. After that, the rest comes naturally.” . @seevivasing
Mars, They/Them & Gabe, They/They. . “We identify as platonic life partners! Different displays of love, healthy commitment, and chosen families are love languages of our generation that we really embrace. Becoming roommates at the beginning of quarantine really solidified the importance of creating intentional spaces for processing and healing. We’re so grateful to have our home, animals, each other and our extended queer bubble.“ . @oatmilkmaiden_
Sosanya, She/Her. . “"Hi! So I took a wicked long time to think of something to write about myself….self. self. Self! That's it! Talk about the self! Specifically, the journey to self love. To anyone reading this, I understand how absolutely downright challenging it is to deeply love yourself. You are not alone! And to those who have reached that steady and long-term point where you have loved yourself, I super admire you. Kudos to you! That mental and emotional work must have been chock full of so very many ups and downs and intense internal battles. And so, no matter where you are in your personal self-love journey, I hope you not only get there as painlessly as possible and live as authentically as possible, but also more importantly, I hope you enjoy that adventure that is your own beautiful life. Good luck in your journey to love yourself!" . @sosanyap @biagarafalls @animetedya
Brooke, She/Her. . “Hi! I’m Brooke, a bisexual, black local artist and the creator of BuffCat. I make paintings, digital art and comics here in Portland. I teamed up with my friend Melanie to make BuffCat my official brand in January of this year. Inspired by my cat, the mission of BuffCat is to portray bodies, people and queer identities that aren’t commonly seen in art. BuffCat represents soft masculinity, embracing who you are and being unapologetically yourself. I hope that everyone who views my art feels seen. Queer, black voices deserve to be heard and I hope I convey that through my work. You can find my art on Instagram and Facebook: Instagram: Artbybuffcat BuffCatforever Facebook: Art By BuffCat I can be found on Blackownedmaine as Art By Buff Cat. For commissions/and project requests please email me at: Artbybuffcat@gmail.com.” . @artbybuffcat
Jay, They/Them. . “I constantly feel that I am challenging preconceptions. Whether that's by being a bisexual nonbinary person, or by performing drag, or even by reconciling with my ex after a pretty nasty breakup. I feel a lot of my life requires navigating uncharted territory or going against what society says I should do and I take pride in that. If I am blazing a trail, then let it be so others can follow in my wake.” . @wildjaybird
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
Halen, She/Her & Molly, She/Her Moly: “You may forget but Let me tell you this: someone in some future time will think of us” Sappho Halen: “Life, as they say, has its ups and downs. At times, the waves will taunt you, tossing you in their swells. But take heart. It’s hard to stick with it and make it your own. But even a couple of losers can survive most things if they’re together.” -My Neighbors the Yamadas . @tharatking @shizukuamasawa
Julien, They/She. . “During quarantine, my creative focus has been all over the place. I’m always a bit of a dabbler, but this time has turned me into an absolute mega dabbler. From week to week and month to month I’ve become obsessed with rug-making, painting, starting a newsletter, Polaroid photography, portrait photography, figure drawing from photos, ceramics... sometimes I wish I would just buckle down and focus on something to become really good at it, but that just doesn’t feel possible right now. The time to myself has also given me space to get back in touch with my queer identity, which has felt dormant and hidden for a while. I would love to meet more of the amazing people on this page and get to know the queer community around Portland better! If anyone reading this wants to collaborate on a creative project or photoshoot, I would love to work together!” . @ejuliencoyne for art/@ejulienphotography for photos
Finn, They/Them. . “I moved to Portland for grad school. I'm working towards becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner with the goal of providing queer-affirming primary care and educating other health professionals. One of my dreams for the queer community is getting to a point where we all support and lift each other up and learn from each other. There is a lot of divisiveness and judgment and racism and classism and ableism in the queer community and I hope that more people start putting in the work to move past that. I'm a nonbinary, trans, poly, kinky, queer boi and I'm proud of every part of my identity. Part of my work fighting for the queer community is taking up space, letting my queerness, my work, and my queer body be visible, and showing others that it's ok to do so when society tries to shame our existence and push us into the shadows.” . @finngq
Abe, She/Her. . “I’ve been coping with the pandemic by leaning into creative play in my work and life - I survived the first month of lockdown by drawing 400+ possums. I’m surviving the sixth month by teaching myself how to longboard and rewatching Avatar: The Last Airbender. Basically I’m gifting myself the childhood I always wanted, but in my adult years.” . @abetensiaillustration
Chris (Him/He) & Kylie (She/Her) . Tina: “The Queer community in Portland has given me so much to be thankful for in the last handful of years. I’m not sure what version of myself I would be had I not landed here. Portland and it’s queer inhabitants have only encouraged the best parts of me and the authentic parts of me to grow. I’ve met some of the absolute best people & i’m lucky to call them my friends. I get to take these memories with me everywhere and i’m really really excited about that. Also- my girlfriend is a babe.” Kylie: “Portland has been a pivotal time place and time in my life. I’m now moving away after three years. I’ve met the most incredible people during my time here. People who’s friendship I’ll be able to take with me for the rest of my life. Many of these friends have already moved away from Portland themselves. For so many people Portland is just a stop in life, in between two phases, and maybe even a space between two lives. Portland will mark a great divide between two phases in my own life, and im so excited for what’s next as well as grateful for who I’m walking in to it with.” . @mortaidala @abowlofcerealfordinner
Katie, She/Her. . “This pandemic has been really hard on my (and many others) mental health. I started painting to try and have a creative outlet. I’m not very good, but I have a good time. I hope you are all able to find some good moments during this time. And remember, Black Lives Matter and wear a mask!”
Tara, She/Her. . Tara works in healthcare technology and is a student at the Royal School of Needlework. “The world is broken, but we are here to heal it; so says the Jewish concept of tukkun olam. This includes self healing, which through introspection and courage, help us to be open with who we are, even as that changes throughout our lives. Whoever you are, being your true self helps to repair the entire world." . @taralafre
Augusto, He/Him. . “I never knew what it was to feel comfortable in my own brown skin until I moved here. Maine has gifted me a wonderful queer family. I found a place to call home where I can be myself, to be queer and feel loved. Bogotá and my family made who I am and Portland allowed me to discover that person.” . @augustoenero
Willow Pree, They/She/He. . “I'm a solitary queer house witch and spiritual seeker. Cleaning is my favorite form of magic, because it yields such tangible results both physically, emotionally, and mentally. Cultivating peace is my life's work. If I have one hope it's to help others return to themselves, and find strength in the beauty and richness of their own soul's journey. The world needs our truth and we need each other's love and care to come back to it.” . @willowpreeee
Hope of Little Chair Printing, She/Her. . Little Chair Printing is a Queer owned and operated screen printing shop based in Portland, screenprinting for the people with a strong focus on social justice! “Helping the community and trying to change the world one T-shirt at a time.” . @littlechairprinting
John of Plant Office, He/Him. . “It's strange to be running a business when you're not sure capitalism is a great idea. So in order to stomach the whole thing I try to use my visibility as a business-owner and artist to promote social justice issues. Helping create a safer space for all sorts of people is a major goal for Plant Office. It brings me so much joy to share this special place with everyone." . @plant.office
Parker, He/Him. “29. East end based, transguy, polyam, budtender, tattoo collector, cannabis enthusiast, feminist, festie, fungi, water sign. The themes of taboo that parallel cannabis and trans culture are all fear based. Fear is an illusion. Wether it’s a question about THC, CBD or HRT, I believe that the overwhelming position of ignorance stems from a lack of knowledge. We can’t expect what we don’t inspect. Don’t hate, educate. If we get lost in the sauce of anger.. don’t we all walk away with a bad taste in our mouth? As a trans Portland resident and MMMP, I have found nothing but love and the most proper product at @fireonforestreet Highly recommend for your medication needs in a safe, rad space. Elevate & “Embrace The Random” - https://www.bonfire.com/asa-york/“ . @parkeraverybryant_
Kitty (She/Her) & Tristen (He/Him) . “Tristen and I grew up together in a very rural, conservative and homogenous northern Maine town. As queer folx, it was hard, if not impossible for some, to come out. I reflect on my high school experience and how much loneliness came from lack of exposure to queerness. Tristen and I, along with other now-out classmates, have reconnected. It has been healing and brought so much peace to that lonely high school self, knowing that my queer community was around me the entire time, we just weren’t ready to meet these absolutely perfect parts of ourselves yet. But now we are, and the bond beautiful. “ . @stitchesnthyme @tristenbeckett
May, She/Her. . “COVID has given me a lot of room to explore different parts of myself and develop my artistic expression. I hope others are doing the same! When COVID is over, maybe we can gather like a community again and share what we've been doing through this hard time! :)” . @elsaisgay
Nathan, Any Pronoun. . “I’m frustrated and tired very often. I’m also very lucky and so, so grateful. I try to keep gratitude and acceptance at the forefront of everything I do. The systems we have in place clearly benefit a small percentage of people while a majority of others are constantly suffering. These systems are not broken - they’re working exactly as they were intended to work. They need to change. It feels wrong not to advocate for change so that everyone has a fair chance to live a peaceful, beautiful life. I want to make sure I’m consistently showing up for myself, so I can show up for others, especially those I hold close to me in my life, and keep fighting. It all starts with you.” . @therealnategabel
Megan, They/Them. . “I miss working. Weird, right? But when you work in theatre sometimes you take for granted how amazing your job is. So...I just have to adapt! Adaptation. Just another thing you get accustomed to in this weird, weird time.” . @mtripz9
Blackstones. . From left to right— Jeff Kramer (he/him). Nick Steele (he/him). Chelsea Discatio (she/her). Keith Bennett (he/him). Nick Marketta (he/him). Kevin Norsworthy (he/they). Danielle Dior (she/her). Gigi Gabor (Gordon Renell) (“feminine and masculine pronouns interchangeably”). . “Without its patrons, Blackstones is nothing but four walls and a sketchy bathroom. It’s our vibrant community that makes it the lively, familial watering hole that it is. We’ve all made due with phones, social media, and small gatherings for the past 4+ months. But at a time we need our chosen families most, our staff, performers, and patrons are longing for that true togetherness once again. Hang in there, Queer Portland! We love you!” . @blackstones207
Heather Rose (she/her) and Camden (he/him unless he decides otherwise💗) . Heather is a Queer momma and small business owner in Portland. She launched Local Babe Food in May as an inclusive opportunity to provide the community with healthy local farm grown food in reusable packaging. . “Local Babe Food is for babes of all ages! We are here to connect folks with healthy, organic, creative takes on some traditional favorites to start sparking conversation, connection and a sense of community around food, farmers and chosen families. What better way to do that than over breakfast? Our products are versatile so that everyone can enjoy - purées are great for babe’s first bites or added into a morning smoothie to get you through your day! Baked beach rose glazed donuts, mashed potato flatbreads even herbal simple syrups packed with local flavor. Handmade reusable packaging, eco-friendly initiatives, lots of love for our Maine farm growth - we are Local Babe Food.” . To find Heather’s products, you can order online for Curbside/Delivery through Fork Food Lab at https://fork-food-lab.square.site/ 72 Parris St. Portland, Gorham Farmers Market Saturdays 8:30 am-12:30 pm, Scarborough Farmers Market Sundays 9:00 am-1:00 pm, and Yarmouth Farmers Market Thursdays 3:00-6:00 pm . “Check out @localbabefood to place an order and support queer local small business 💚”
Priscilla, She/Her. . “A few things. I am a proud pansexual, a 1st generation Cuban-American, a fat woman, and a small business owner. I have anxiety, depression, PCOS, HS, hypothyroidism, and Hashimotos. I take pride in putting myself out there in the hope that someone will feel seen. My ultimate goal is to help folks understand others' experiences and different point of views, in turn, making it a better world for all of us! I also want to take this chance to let folks know that I co-own a marketing and business consulting company, EID Visions (@eidvisions_), with my partner, Orlando. It doesn’t matter whether you are a small business, a budding entrepreneur, working on your startup, or anything in between; at EID Visions, we will put in the work as if you were the largest company in the world. At EID Visions, we don’t just have clients, we have family! Whether you want to talk life or business, I would love to have a conversation with you. Message me @pudgyalpaca” . @pudgyalpaca @eidvisions_
Isaac, He/They. . “I’ve been out of the closet for about 25 years and lived in many different communities. None have been nearly as cohesive and diverse as the queer community here. I am joyful and grateful everyday for that. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my life it is the importance of showing up and Portland Queers certainly show up.” . @cocktail_mary
Andrew, He/Him. . Andrew Zarro (he/him) owns Little Woodfords, a coffee shop recently relocated from Woodfords Corner to Downtown Portland. As a small business owner, he believes queer spaces matter in all facets of our community, public and private. Andrew is running for City Council District 4 in hopes to bring LGBT+ voices to the table in our local government. We have not had an openly Queer person elected to the Portland City Council in over a decade, and we are past due for adequate representation. As a Millennial, he believes it is time to demand a generational transition of power and responsibility to govern as we forge a path towards a kinder, more diverse and inclusive tomorrow. . @andrewzarro @littlewoodfords
Rachel (She/Her) & Mel (She/They) from Pageboy Studios. . “Pageboy is a queer owned and operated space. Inclusion, community, and individuality are at the top of Rachel and Mel's goals for the studio. No one fits a perfect mold, your hair should help represent your vision of who you are and it is up to the stylist to help you articulate that goal. In an industry that is woefully outdated, we know it is our responsibility to educate ourselves and be active listeners for our community and our clients. By offering gender-free haircut choices, creating a community funded, sliding scale payment option (details coming soon!) and actively expanding our knowledge of all hair types/textures, we aim to be in tune with our clients needs, as well as the needs of the greater community. We stand in support of Black lives, survivors, and queer and trans community.” . @pageboystudio @haircuts.for.humans
Rachel (She/Her) & Mel (She/They) from Pageboy Studios. . “Pageboy is a queer owned and operated space. Inclusion, community, and individuality are at the top of Rachel and Mel's goals for the studio. No one fits a perfect mold, your hair should help represent your vision of who you are and it is up to the stylist to help you articulate that goal. In an industry that is woefully outdated, we know it is our responsibility to educate ourselves and be active listeners for our community and our clients. By offering gender-free haircut choices, creating a community funded, sliding scale payment option (details coming soon!) and actively expanding our knowledge of all hair types/textures, we aim to be in tune with our clients needs, as well as the needs of the greater community. We stand in support of Black lives, survivors, and queer and trans community.” . @pageboystudio @haircuts.for.humansRachel (She/Her) & Mel (She/They) from Pageboy Studios. . “Pageboy is a queer owned and operated space. Inclusion, community, and individuality are at the top of Rachel and Mel's goals for the studio. No one fits a perfect mold, your hair should help represent your vision of who you are and it is up to the stylist to help you articulate that goal. In an industry that is woefully outdated, we know it is our responsibility to educate ourselves and be active listeners for our community and our clients. By offering gender-free haircut choices, creating a community funded, sliding scale payment option (details coming soon!) and actively expanding our knowledge of all hair types/textures, we aim to be in tune with our clients needs, as well as the needs of the greater community. We stand in support of Black lives, survivors, and queer and trans community.” . @pageboystudio @haircuts.for.humans
Allison (She/Her) & Matthew (He/Him) Of Quill Books & Beverage. . “We so dearly miss gathering together with our community in safety and caring. Though we are distant that community will hold together. We can't wait to welcome everyone back to Quill as soon as we may safely do so. Be safe and take care. We love and miss you all!" . @quillbooksandbeverage is doing subscription boxes filled with books, beverages, and treats. Check out their IG for more info!
Lucy, She/Her. . Lucy is an artist based in Portland. Check out more of her work @littleshovel !
Nyssa (She/Her) & Raine (They/Them) . "I’d cut my soul into a million different pieces just to form a constellation to light your way home. I’d write love poems to the parts of yourself you can’t stand. I’d stand in the shadows of your heart and tell you I’m not afraid of your dark." - Andrea Gibson Raine and Nyssa have been celebrating love together for the past five years and many more to come ❤️ Nyssa is a queer hairstylist in South Portland and welcomes all queer people to come and explore expressive and gender affirming hairstyles. Check her work out at @nysstique
Alex, He/They. . “Donate to The Sylvia Rivera Law Project. This nonprofit provides legal services specifically to low-income people and people of color who are transgender, intersex, or gender non-conforming.”
Sierra (She/Her) and Ash (She/Her). . Ash is an editor who volunteers with prison writing programs and Sierra is a student midwife and full-spectrum doula serving oppressed communities. “Black birthing people die in birth at 3-6x that of their white counterparts and more than half of queer people who visit doctors report facing discrimination due to their sexuality. 1 in 100 American adults is behind bars, many without access to writing and educational materials even though books reduce recidivism rates. Here are some places you can go to learn, donate, or advocate: @penamerica @prisonbirthproject @sistersong_woc @blackmidwivesalliance @blackmamasmatter @queerdoulas @mainetransnet .” . @allbodiesbirth
Travis, He/Him. . Travis is developing a Queer business owned directory @queerownedmaine and wishes to expand on this project in the future. . @theynen
JC, They/Them. . "Just because you need to ask for help doesn't mean you're weak. You are strong for being brave enough to accept help. To fail is to learn and to learn is to get stronger. Never stop learning.” . JC wants to bring awareness to the Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.” Learn more @trevorproject . . @jc_started_therapy.pals
Dax, They/Them. . Dax wants to spread awareness about The Okra Project, a collective that seeks to address the global crisis faced by Black Trans people by bringing home cooked, healthy, and culturally specific meals and resources to Black Trans People wherever the organization can reach them. Learn more @theokraproject . @themthemerson
Matthew, He/Him. . “‘Dreams don’t die, so keep an eye on your dream’...ok, so I couldn’t have picked a cheesier Sondheim lyric to quote. But hear me out - a lot of today leaves much to be desired. I’ve tried to have a positive outlook through all of this, and passing that on to my private students and music performing colleagues. Recently, this has proved to be difficult with a job in the performing arts industry. However, I keep reminding myself of these words, and remember that even though the music has died for a bit, it will bounce back twice as strong. Looking forward to opportunity in 2021 🎉” . Matthew teaches private piano and voice lessons. To learn more / contact him, check out matthewscalaofficial.com !
Siana, She/Her. . “The events of 2020 and the state of our nation are exhausting, but they can also be invigorating. We are living through an incredibly significant point in history. It is vital to try to tap into that and work to be on the right side of history.” . @siaeme12
Joan, She/They. . “Radically love yourself. Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare”. - Audre Lorde. . “Also, vote please.”
Charles, He/Him. . "I came out as queer later in life - first to myself, which was the most important part. But it wasn't until after my dad died that I let myself date another man. Life is too short to live just half of who you are." .@charlesforportland rents an apartment in downtown Portland and was elected in 2022 as State Representative in House District 119.
Logan (He/Him) & Josh (He/Him). . “June 2020 felt like the most impactful pride month of my life as I watched so many members of the Queer community standing in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and similar racial justice movements. Let’s not allow the end of pride month to be the end of our refreshed commitment to justice for all. This cannot be a passive commitment, and this work will not exclude our own problematic histories, but it is vital to do it anyway.” . @logan43000 @luca_joshlangtry
