Week of May 18 - 24
In this issue: Trans sanctuary city resolution, Linda Shear in concert, Pride events + more.
🎨 Art Is for Everybody: Support Youth Art with RCA
We’re shining a spotlight on Resilient Community Arts (RCA) and their summer campaign to fund creative access for young people across our region. Through joyful events and community generosity, RCA aims to raise $3,000 for the Art is For Everybody Fund—a scholarship program that ensures youth and teens can attend affirming, welcoming art programs regardless of financial barriers.
Here’s how you can show up:
🖼️ Youth + Teen Art Showcase
May 19, 5:30–7:30 PM | RCA Studio, Easthampton
Celebrate the work of young artists in RCA’s school-year programs. Art, community, and a sundae bar (thanks to Mount Tom’s Ice Cream). Free and open to all.
🌀 Doodle-a-thon Fundraiser
May 31, 11 AM– 2 PM | High Five Books, Florence
30 feet of doodling space. Mini workshops with local artists. DIY crafts, raffles, and good vibes. All in support of youth access to the arts.
More info + tickets: ResilientCommunityArts.org/DoodleAThon
✨ “We Are” Block Printing Party (ArtWalk Event)
June 7, 4:30–7:00 PM | RCA Studio, Easthampton
Learn how to print a block print poster for a summer display at Eastworks. Music, popsicles, and creativity for a cause. Suggested donation: $5 | NOTAFLOF
💖 Make it Monthly
RCA is inviting folks to become monthly donors during Pride season. Donate any amount and receive an Art Saves Lives tote. $30/month sponsors a child’s summer of creative exploration.
Give here: ResilientCommunityArts.org/donations
Let’s make sure local youth have the chance to grow, express, and be celebrated. Because art is for everybody.
🏳️⚧️ Trans Sanctuary City Resolution Proposed
Easthampton, MA
Please join us to support the trans sanctuary resolution that has been written by members of the Easthampton community and our sponsoring city councilors. The resolution is being put to a vote on Wednesday, June 4. The greatest need for support is during public speak, which is close to the start of the meeting, so please arrive by 6 PM if you wish to make a public comment.
Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Time: 6:00 pm - ?? (varies)
Address: in person at the Easthampton Municipal Building, 50 Payson Avenue, 2nd Floor (this is a large meeting room), with a remote option via Google Meet (link not yet available).
Have questions? Email kcaroncoaches@gmail.com.
You are Invited: Linda Shear in Concert
Northampton, MA
Straw Dog Writers Guild invites you to a benefit concert with singer-songwriter Linda Shear on Saturday, May 31st at 4 PM at the Northampton Center for the Arts (33 Hawley Street, Northampton, MA).
Music is at the center of Linda’s heart and life. in the early 70s, she performed in chicago at the first out-lesbian concert in the u.s. Linda toured with her band, Family of Woman, and played solo in bars, clubs, coffee houses, and festivals, including on the main stage at the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival.
Linda’s songs come from deep in her heart, and she invites you into that heart when she performs in celebration of love, social justice, and the power of authenticity. She and her wife, windflower, are deeply grateful to return home to western Massachusetts after 31 years in Northern California.
Get concert tickets here (seating is limited). Venue has ramp and elevator access; all-gender restrooms; onsite parking.
Join the Sloths!
Adult Soccer League
A new recreational soccer league is starting up on Saturdays in June. Open to queer and trans folks and allies. All levels are welcome! For more details or to get on the roster, email britt_mcgrath@mhmfitwell.com.
Call for Story Submissions Now Open
Queer Story Slam
It’s time to submit your stories for the next Queer Story Slam — happening in September. This Fall, we’re asking the question, how do you Prepare for the Good? In these unsettling and scary times, the future can feel uncertain and tenuous. However, queer community has always existed and will continue to exist far into the future.
We want to know…
What are you stockpiling right now?
What’s in your bunker to sustain you in the future?
What does resistance mean to you?
How will you prepare not just to survive, but to love, create and live fully?
Submissions are due Sunday, August 10 at midnight. Submit your story.
Pick of the Patch
[ Quick Links ]
🏳️🌈 Explore new additions to our Community Guide and keep supporting LGBTQ+-owned businesses and orgs.
🎧 Listen to the latest episode of the Rooted Resilience podcast—now available wherever you tune in! 🌀 PLUS: Join the hosts of the podcast for the next Community Dialogue Circle on May 22 *a virtual gathering* — to explore identity and resilience with community.
[ Weekly Poll ]
🏖️ 😎 the weekly poll is taking a vacation. See you next week!
Curious about the results of last week’s poll?
+ River Valley Radical Futures +
On view thru May 25 | A.P.E. Gallery, 126 Main St, Northampton, MA
Sharing visions of the future, co-created by members of 14+ local groups who enact alternative ways of being in the valley today.
+ Rooted Resilience Community Dialogue Circle +
Thurs, May 22, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Virtual Event
An invitation to explore resilience and identity with community. As a small group, we will engage with themes stemming from a recent episode of the Rooted Resilience podcast.
+ Queer & Trans Art Group +
Wed, May 28, 7 PM - 8:30 PM | RCA Studio, Suite #238, Eastworks 116 Pleasant Street Easthampton, MA
Open to anyone who identifies as queer, trans, or gender-expansive, come hang out, make art in community, or just connect with other queer and trans folks in a safer space!
+ Linda Shear in Concert: a benefit for Straw Dog Writers Guild +
Sat, May 31, 4 PM - 6 PM | Northampton Center for the Arts, 33 Hawley St, Northampton, MA
Straw Dog Writers Guild invites you to this benefit concert by singer-songwriter Linda Shear. Tickets now on sale!
+ Queer and Trans Yoga +
Thursdays, May 22 - June 5, 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM | Sanctuary, Level 3, Thornes Marketplace 150 Main St, Northampton, MA
This series is designed especially for members of the LGBTQIA+ community who are looking to connect with their bodies and their breath in a supportive, community-oriented environment.
+ Smelly Bus Party with Colleen Venable! +
Fri, June 6, 4 PM - 6 PM | High Five Books, 141 N Main St, Florence, MA
Everyone's favorite kindergartener, Junie B. Jones, is BACK in a new graphic novel series! Celebrate its release with illustrator, Colleen Venable (of Katie the Catsitter, Kitten Ninja, and Time Buddies fame)!
+ song share sessions for nonbinary, trans and women singer songwriters +
2nd Thurs of the month, 7 PM - 9 PM. Next session on June 12 | Drawing Board Brewing, 36 Main St, Florence, MA
Calling all nonbinary, trans, and women singer-songwriters! Want to refine your performance? Get feedback on a new song? Connect with fellow artists? This space is for YOU.
Western MA
🏳️🌈 Springfield Pride — Saturday, June 7
🏳️🌈 Franklin County Pride — Saturday, June 7
🏳️🌈 Berkshire Pride Parade & Festival — Saturday, June 7
🏳️🌈 Holyoke Pride — Saturday, June 21
🏳️🌈 Queer Artisan Market in North Amherst — Saturday, June 21
🏳️🌈 1st Annual Amherst Pride — Sunday, June 22
Trans Relocation Support (TRS) Western MA
TRS is committed to helping people move to Western Mass from states with anti-trans legislation. They aim to connect people with networks of mutual aid, resources, and community in this area. The process is a temporary support bridge that facilitates long-term local int(ter)dependence. TRS seeks to grow community care, mutual aid, and alternative systems of care for gender diverse people.
Connect with TRS: Learn & Volunteer | Give Support | Get Support
Access FREE Notary Services
Forbes Library (Northampton): (413) 587-1011
Easthampton Public Library: (413) 527-1031
Chicopee Public Library: (413) 594-1800
You can also try (fees may apply): your local town hall, AAA, banks
Legal Aid for Immigrant Families
The Immigrant Defense Hotline (617-988-0606) is staffed by attorneys from Lawyers for Civil Rights’ pro bono network. Callers who leave a message will receive same-day response to questions about immigration enforcement and reports of immigration raids. Please reach out to Hotline@LawyersForCivilRights.org if you would like to get involved.
Request for Mutual Aid
Support Long-Time Community Organizer
Our dear community member, long-time organizer, and trans youth mental health worker, Shai, has suffered a spinal fracture as a result of a fall caused by landlord negligence in their current living situation. They are unable to move around safely by themself or complete daily tasks.
Please answer this urgent call for funds to pay for housing, medical care-takers, medical expenses, and legal expenses. Donate + share the GoFundMe for Shai.
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Seeking community? Join the network.
It’s’s a pivotal time to build and bolster local networks of care — and we remain dedicated to connecting LGBTQ+ and ally entrepreneurs in and beyond our region. If you are an LGBTQ+ creative, healer, educator, or entrepreneur of any focus or an ally business serving communities throughout Western MA, we invite you to join our queer-grown network of community partners.
Partners receive: (1) an active listing in our community guide (2) visibility in our weekly newsletters (3) access to partners-only resources and opportunities including monthly partner meet-ups.
Learn more about the program at: BloomLocal.Live/Partner-Program and contact us with questions anytime.
Hosting an upcoming event? Let us spread the word!
Calendar listings and event promotion are benefits of bloom local’s partner program. To submit an event listing without a partner network membership, email your event details to: Hello@BloomLocal.live. a sliding scale fee of $5-$30 applies to each accepted submission.
keep connecting
Email Hello@BloomLocal.Live
Learn about the Partner Program