AS WE CELEBRATE LGBTQIA + Pride in the Berkshires , a handful of leaders of the largest and most active LGBTQIA + organizations are bringing attention to some of the social , political , economic , and demographic challenges the queer community is facing , as well as some very hopeful signs of new kinds of collaboration , leadership , and innovation in the community . Many of these leaders believe 2024 will be a watershed year for the local LGBTQIA + community as it organizes to face some of its biggest hurdles ever . So far they are seeing an incredible willingness in the community to come together to turn lemons into lemonade .
Lemons to Lemonade
AS WE CELEBRATE LGBTQIA + Pride in the Berkshires , a handful of leaders of the largest and most active LGBTQIA + organizations are bringing attention to some of the social , political , economic , and demographic challenges the queer community is facing , as well as some very hopeful signs of new kinds of collaboration , leadership , and innovation in the community . Many of these leaders believe 2024 will be a watershed year for the local LGBTQIA + community as it organizes to face some of its biggest hurdles ever . So far they are seeing an incredible willingness in the community to come together to turn lemons into lemonade .
Lemons :
THE LGBTQIA + COMMUNITY IS MEETING CHALLENGES WITH POSITIVE CHANGE
RISE IN ISOLATION : The addicting algorithms of social media and living in a rural area with few LGBTQIA + gathering spaces are leaving more and more LGTBQ + people , particularly seniors and young people , more isolated , depressed , and lonely than ever before , according to a review of studies done by the American Heart Association . The
B y B a r t C h u r c h
U . S . Surgeon General has warned that this epidemic of loneliness is having huge effects on our health .
Lemonade :
BUILDING COMMUNITY : All of the queer leaders interviewed report an upsurge in local LGBTQIA + people showing up for in-person activities and rolling up their sleeves to create new
JESUS CHRIST LIVES !! REPENT !!!
Some of the leaders of Berkshire LGBTQ + organizations who are helping organize the community ' s response to various challenges and helping to turn lemons into lemonade : from left , Carla Stephens , Bard Queer Leadership Project Director ; Bart Church , Q-MoB ( Queer Men of the Berkshires ) Interim Executive Director ; John Weinstein , Bard College at Simon ' s Rock Provost and founder of the Bard Queer Leadership Project ; Jay Miller , Berkshire Community College ( BCC ) Digital & Video Assets Manager and Advisor to the BCC Queer Student Association ; and Andrew Fitch , North Adams City Council Member and one of the organizers of North Adams Pride . ways to be together . Berkshire Pride , Sheffield Pride , North Adams Pride , Bennington Pride , and a brand-new Troy Pride are all seeing an unprecedented number of pride activities being organized all over the Berkshires in 2024 , including a new 6 / 1 Youth Pride in Pittsfield .
As interim director of Q-MoB ( Queer Men of the Berkshires ), I have seen the organization grow from 30 subscribers a year ago to more than 700 in 2024 , and from six activities per month to more than 30 , which are now regularly happening in the five counties in four states that make up the greater Berkshire region . Q-MoB has worked with major Berkshire cultural institutions to provide Queer-Eye Tours of the Clark Art Institute , Bennington Museum , Berkshire Museum , Jacob ’ s Pillow , MASS MoCA , Williams College Museum of Art , The Mount , Chesterwood , Naumkeag , and Berkshire Botanical Garden , all of which owe part of their existence and flare to queer folks .
As COVID fears have lessened and frustration with online apps and social media has grown among queer folk , we have seen the interest in our in-person social , recreation / wellness , and arts / culture activities skyrocket . Andrew Fitch , a leader of North Adams Pride , says there was an enormous upwelling of support from the LGBTQIA + community and our allies for the sold-out 3 / 10 Northern Lights Ball , which featured an inspiring mix of ages , races , gender expressions , and orientations , all having so much fun dancing and celebrating together .
Railroad Street Youth Project , in collaboration with Bard Queer Leadership Project has pioneered a new nine- to 12-month Queer Group Mentoring Project that pairs 13- to 18-year-old queer mentees with adult queer mentors to work collaboratively twice a month to help youth pursue their gifts and visions with the help of an intergenerational group that has a wide variety of experiences , skills , and styles .
Beau Barela , owner of Heart Space Teahouse , has seen huge support for his new Queer Connections gatherings and Q-MoB ’ s monthly Queer Men ’ s Coffee / Tea Klatch and Queer Artists Coffee / Tea Klatch at the teahouse . “ Despite the uncertainties present in today ' s political landscape , there is a strong belief that we are living in a time where people are deeply motivated to unite for the greater good . This shared desire for unity and collaboration is evident in the exchanges we have with members of our community , as we witness a collective yearning for connection , understanding , and positive change . Through our dedication to promoting positive exchanges and meaningful connections , we hope those experiences will be carried and shared by individuals within our community and beyond , fostering a ripple effect of inclusivity , under-
58 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE Holiday May / June 2023 2024