New Queers Open Mic Night

All transgender, lesbian, gay, bi, and queer community members are invited to a free open-mic night on New Year's Eve! Open to all ages, this will be a sober event so it's perfect for Qmmunity members who are under 21, are working on getting sober, or just don't want to start the New Year with a hangover! Join as Waters Ave Church at 609 W Waters Ave in Tampa. (Although we are using a church's space, this event is open to queer people of all faiths or no faith at all and isn't a religious event.)

You can come and join in on the open mic OR you can just listen in the audience. Feel free to bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages either for yourself or to share.

FEATURED POET

Iris Agustina Morales (IAM) is a Queer Poet, Actor and Visual Artis whose Poetry and Visual art touch on the ancestral connections, spiritual journey, forgiveness and healing generational trauma y patria. She fearlessly taps into her darkness to bring forth the light, provoking us to tap into aspects of ourselves that were considered shameful and unlovable. IAM's goal is to show that the power of the word is a force that no one can take from us, poems are prayers that connect us to our inner divine and despite what we’re told we’re not alone. Her desire is that her poetry and art can be a tool for healing and acceptance.

Our open mic is really an OPEN mic. You don't need to be a professional performer to join--even if you're just practicing or just have a story to tell, you're welcome on our mic! You can also bring your existing talents with you:

• Poetry
• Storytelling
• Singing or dancing
• Drag
• Monologues
• Comedy
• Any other talent or expression you may want to share

[If your bit requires any equipment/props, you'll need to provide and you'll need to operate or bring someone to assist with operation.]

We will have sparklers for the parking lot for those who want to participate.

This is a great opportunity to come out and enjoy New Year's Eve without the chaos--or if you like the chaos, come join us for a bit and then go out to the parties! Bring your queer and trans friends!

Who is the Found Family Collective? We are a grassroots, multi-cultural, multi-identity collective of transgender, lesbian, gay and queer community members who believe everyone deserves love and joy. We imperfectly but intentionally operate on five core values: self-determination, honesty, anti-oppression, restorative justice, and empathy.

HEALTH AND SAFETY: Individuals are encouraged to make the best decision(s) for themselves pertaining to protecting themselves against the Coronavirus and other infectious disease. We will have optional face masks on site and all attendees will have their temperatures screened. Hand sanitizer will be available on site. We will sanitize the space prior to guests entering. CDC Tracker reports COVID levels as Low (as of 12/10)

ACCESSIBILITY: Our goal is to make this space as accessible as possible. If you need assistance attending our event, or if we can do anything to make the space more accessible, please contact us as soon as possible. We will make all accommodations when possible and practical. If you are, or know, an ASL interpreter willing to donate their time for this event, please advise. Contact Angel at [email protected] or 813-777-0742 (text first, or leave voicemail if calling).

HARM, SAFETY & CONSENT: Our goal is to maintain the safest, most accessible space possible. There are no 100% safe spaces. In the event harm should arise at our event, when it is safe to do so, we aim to remain in community with you and transform and repair harm. However, anyone who intentionally, recklessly, and/or continuously dishonors the core values of the collective, the consent or boundaries of anyone, or the collective agreements of the space may be asked to disengage the space. Read more about our core values and our responses to harm.

Host or Publisher Angel D'Angelo