Name Change Clinic | Black Rainbow Movement

Get ready to queer cheer! The Black Rainbow Movement has been awarded our July grant for a Name Change Clinic. Our $3,000 will support them as they walk alongside Black, queer individuals to create a more inclusive Chattanooga.

With this grant, they'll be able to expand the Name Change Clinic, helping even more transgender people live authentically and confidently. Dropping a dead name and owning your chosen name costs money, and our grant will fund those fees. It's not just a name-changer; it’s a game-changer!

Alongside their amazing partners, Homeserve USA, the Chattanooga Trans Liberation Collective, and Legal Aid of East Tennessee, they are working tirelessly to make this happen in Fall of 2024.

Together, we're building a brighter future for Black, queer people. Let's celebrate them and keep the momentum going!

Summer Art Camp | The Seed Theate

Surely you know about The Seed Theatre. Their mission is to support marginalized communities (particularly LGBTQ+, BIPOC and their families) by providing resources, education, support and community while celebrating differences through arts and culture.

Enter Summer Art Camp, led by the acclaimed art educator Brouquelle Long. Designed to spark creativity in Chattanooga’s youth, campers aged 6-18 explored painting, sculpture, and more through engaging workshops and collaborative projects, all within a supportive and inclusive environment.

The camp featured three dynamic 3-day sessions (yeah, 9 sessions total) tailored to different age groups: 6-10, 11-13, and 14-18. Each class was taught by Brouquelle, whose six years of experience and numerous awards make her a standout in the art education field.

Our $3,000 grant offered 24 scholarships to ensure that financially marginalized children can participate at no cost, with the remaining spots available to paying participants.

Shouldn’t everyone have access to art education? It offers them a chance to express themselves, boost their confidence, and develop vital skills—all while having fun. By making the arts accessible, future generations of artists and community leaders can spring to life.

Summer Programming | Soft Animal

Soft Animal is a new Chattanooga startup dedicated to centering marginalized people through events and learning opportunities — from drag shows to American Sign Language classes. If you attended Will This Float back in the Fall of 2021 you likely heard their pitch. They are up and running with programs galore. Enter our $3,000 grant for additional programming. So what’s coming down the pike as far as events? Queer Craft Night, Pride Skate with Moonlight Roller, LGBTQ movie night + bonfire, and “Get Outside for Pride!” paddle boarding at Greenway Farms with Outshine Adventures.

Youth Programming | Chattanooga Girls Rock

Chattanooga Girls Rock! exists to empower girls, trans and nonbinary youth in our community to build confidence and celebrate their individuality through collaborative music education, social justice and performance. Their summer camp is a huge success and highly coveted. They listen to their campers and their parents, turns out they want more programming throughout the year. Enter our $3,000 grant.

More classes, workshops and hugs. Partnering with The Chattery they are able to offer classes like The Birds and The Bees and Consent and Bodily Autonomy, amongst others taught by Kelly Quinn. And a three part poetry workshop with the wise and talented Erika Roberts. While music is the usual CGR medium, this additional programming aims to help provide our youth with the platform and tools they need to tell their own stories and be heard. Word.

Binders for Kids | B4CK

B4CK stands for Binders for Confident Kids. What is a binder? It is a chest compression garment designed to give the appearance of a flat chest. Binders help queer youth feel safe, focus on learning and stay alive. Really.

A national survey by GLSEN has found that 75% of transgender youth feel unsafe at school, and those who are able to persevere had significantly lower GPAs, were more likely to miss school out of concern for their safety, and were less likely to plan on continuing their education. More than half of transgender male teens who participated in the survey reported attempting suicide in their lifetime and many transgender young people experience family rejection, bullying and harassment, or feel unsafe for simply being who they are - all of which can be added risk factors for suicide.

So, how did we help? $515 went to purchase and distribute binders, based on need, for Chattanooga queer youth.

Sound, Safety and Support | Sanctuary Cafe and Performing Arts

June was Pride Month, so we just happened to fund a grassroots group dedicated to queer and trans Chattanoogans. But they do so much more. Sanctuary Cafe and Performing Arts was founded in 2020 amidst a tumultuous year due to the lack safe and transformative places for queer and trans people in Chattanooga. It is owned and operated by trans community members. The 4,600 square foot building is home to tons of programming including a flourishing performance group including a newly launched children’s theatre, a community closet, all age sober shows, community gardening, support groups for queer and trans people and a special support group for families and youth. Sanctuary’s mission is to lift marginalized voices and encourage community while integrating queer and trans culture into southern society in a safe and healthy way. Y’all means all after all.

So what did we fund, you ask? Well, we fixed a leaky roof (yes, they have a lease), purchased sound and lighting for the theatre, and added 7 Ring cameras to every room in the space including outside. Sanctuary has already benefited over 400 people and is growing fast. We hope our June grant gave them more momentum to do more good in our great city.