For year number three, Green Mountain Crossroads of Brattleboro, Vermont, is hosting its annual Out in the Open Summit October 27–29, where upwards of 75 LGBTQ people living in small towns and rural communities from all over the Northeast meet up to socialize and network.
The mission of Green Mountain Crossroads is to connect rural LGBTQ people to build community, visibility, knowledge, and power—and that they do with this annual event. For a full Out in the Open Summit schedule, including details and registration (required) info, check out the event website (greenmountaincrossroads.org/out-in-the-open-2017).
“GMC is thrilled to build on the success of last year’s event, in collaboration with our planning committee, on a two-day Summit this year” said HB Lozito, Executive Director of GMC. “All too often, LGBTQ spaces have a focus on urban communities. Likewise, during rural gatherings LGBTQ topics are usually noticeably absent. It is a rare and powerful opportunity to gather with this many rural & small town LGBTQ people who can nod in that knowing way when someone talks about their experience of being queer in the country.”
“This is a participatory day with no presenters or ‘experts’, rather we convene this gathering with the understanding that our daily experiences living, working, and organizing as rural and small town LGBTQ people make each of us an expert. This year the whole Summit will explore three themes through different discussion-based and hands-on sessions at the same time: Living on the Land, Art & Expression, and Organizing for Justice. These sessions will be facilitated but it’s up to the participants in those rooms to discuss and strategize about how each issue comes up in their lives and intersects with their LGBTQ identities.”
This year’s Summit is made possible, in part, with support from the Samara Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation, Borealis Philanthropy’s Fund for Trans Generations, Funding Queerly, and many individuals who support our work with their time and dollars throughout the year.
