2021 Featured Non-Profits
Every year we pick some charities and non-profits to support through con sales and donations. We wanted to introduce our 2021 feature organizations. We’d love for you to support them or donate to them, and if you do, tell us in the chat, so we can keep a tally of how much is getting to them!
This year, we chose Canadian, UK, and American organizations. This was so you could think about helping someone in your own backyard, without currency conversions. We were looking for organizations that help authors, specifically queer authors.
Trans Media Watch (UK):
A British charity founded to improve media coverage of transgender and intersex issues
http://transmediawatch.org/contact-us/
Shade Literary Arts:
An American organization that focuses on the empowerment and expansion of literature by queer writers of color
https://www.shadeliteraryarts.org/support
Glad Day Lit (CAN):
A Canadian organization that supports LGBTQ writers and artists, working closely with Glad Day Bookshop.
https://www.gladdaylit.ca/donate
Lambda Literary:
An American organization that advocates for queer authors and also produces the Lammys (Lambda Literary Awards). This year’s finalists are going to be announced soon.
https://www.lambdaliterary.org/donate/
BLF Press:
An independent, black feminist press, dedicated to amplifying the work of black women and women of color. This feature organization was chosen by our keynote speaker.
http://blfpress.com/
Donations can be Paypaled to [email protected] – mention Rainbow Space Magic in the comments
More Details:
Want to know more? Here’s an in-depth dive into our 2021 non-profit beneficiaries:
TRANS MEDIA WATCH
Who are they? Trans Media Watch
What do they do? They are a charity dedicated to improving media coverage of trans and intersex issues. They help people in the media understand issues facing trans and intersex people. They also help trans and intersex people interact with the media in safe, comfortable ways, so that their voices can be heard.
Where are they? Based in Britain
Why does RSM love them? We at RSM are dedicated to amplifying trans and intersex voices. With the work of TMW, people of all identities will get a better sense of what trans and intersex people are like, and how to portray them while honoring their journey.
How do I help? Learn more about TWM on their web page: https://transmediawatch.org
You can volunteer or become a member of their organization. There is a PayPal donate button on their home page, so you can contribute to their work.
SHADE LITERARY ARTS
Who are they? Shade Literary Arts
What do they do? The are dedicated to the empowerment and expansion of literature by queer writers of color. They publish the Shade Journal, an online poetry journal featuring queer writiers of color. They also accept visual arts submissions for their journal. They also track and recommend poetry books and other full-length books coming out by QPOC.
Where are they based? They are US-based
Why does RSM love them? We at RSM are dedicated to amplifying queer voices. We want QPOC writers to know there is a place for their voices to be heard, and we want all readers to know where they can find these under-represented voices.
How do I help? You can learn more about Shade on their web page: https://www.shadeliteraryarts.org
Read their journal, follow them and their authors, and contribute so that they can continue producing their work. There is a PayPal donate button on their support page: https://www.shadeliteraryarts.org/support
GLAD DAY LIT
Who are they? Glad Day Lit
What do they do? They support LGBTQ writers by paying them to appear in panels, readings, workshops, and special events, helping to amplify their voices. They work closely with Glad Day Bookshop, helping maintain a physical meeting space to facilitate community building.
Where are they? Based in Toronto
Why does RSM love them? We at RSM are dedicated to amplifying queer voices. We want people to know there is a physical bookshop they can run to where they can find community and have their voices heard. We are also excited to see LGBTQ+ writers take a place on the stage and build their platforms.
How do I help? Learn more about Glad Day Lit’s events (real and virtual) on their website: https://www.gladdaylit.ca/
You can sign up for their newsletter, volunteer at events, or donate directly to their work. There’s a donate button on their home page.
LAMBDA LITERARY
Who are they? Lambda Literary
What do they do? They champion LGBTQ books and authors, serving both readers and writers. They find and promote stories that affirm the lives and culture of LGBTQ people. They have a number of programs, including a writer’s retreat and programs that sends writers to schools to talk to young readers. They also create the Lambda Literary Awards (Lammys) to celebrate the best new queer fiction of the year!
Where are they? Based in New York
Why does RSM love them? Most of us at RSM are secretly hoping to win a Lammy. We are thrilled by the existence of an award designed to celebrate new works from queer voices. Their recognition of excellent literature and dedication to getting the word out is essential to bringing queer culture closer to mainstream.
How do I help? You can find more about the Lambda Literary programs on their website: https://www.lambdaliterary.org/programs/
There is a donate button right on their home pages.
BLF PRESS
Who are they? BLF Press
What do they do? They are an independent, black feminist press, dedicated to amplifying the work of black women and women of color. They take submissions from BIPOC authors, with specific interest in main characters who are queer women.
Where are they? Based in Indiana
Why does RSM love them? This organization was recommended to us by our keynote speaker, Jewelle Gomez. We at RSM are excited about their work in seeking out and promoting queer voices and storylines. We are excited to see BIPOC authors lifted up, and black, feminist storylines take their place in the world.
How do I help? Buy books from their catalog. You can check out their bookstore on their web page: https://www.blfpress.com/bookstore
You can also show your support by attending their events (many are virtual) and by supporting their authors.