Queer Men's Community Grounded & Grateful Salon & Potluck @ UU Pittsfield

Join queer men from all over the region in this monthly salon/potluck where we will explore how we get grounded and grateful in times where powerful forces are spending lots of money to keep us scared, frustrated, & hopeless. We will remember the ancient power of gathering to share food, stories how each of gets grounded and grateful, and to feel and strengthen our connections with our queer neighbors, who remind us of our capacity to laugh, be seen, and remember the beauty around us. These salon conversations help us tap into what is going on on many levels -- and how to prepare ourselves & our community.

This event will open with some music and movement by Angel designed to help us get grounded in our bodies and our breath, and to then bring our energy up into our hearts so we can hopefully feel some joy & gratitude, or at least have some fun. Then those who want to will briefly introduce themselves and share about how they get grounded and grateful. And if that seems like a crazy dificult thing, just stay with us and see what happens. You don't have to share & you don't have to feel anything but what is so for you.

After we explore getting grounded & grateful, we'll talk about ways we can support one another in deepening those states in upcoming queer men's activities around the region.

HELP US INVITE MORE DIVERSE VOICES: Because we want to hear from as diverse a group of queer men as possible, please invite your queer friends & neighbors who may live in diverse parts of the region, have diverse backgrounds or identities, varied ages, or creative ways of expressing gender, race, or class.

While this is a potluck, if bringing food is a barrier for you to participate, we encourage you to bring yourself and your ideas, because the salon conversations are the heart of this event, and we’ll have plenty of food & non-alcoholic beverages.

Also if you have social anxiety and/or are introverted, don’t feel pressured to speak because listening is one of the queer superpowers we hope to practice at this salon.

People who are trans, gender-creative, or non-binary who want to build community with queer men are welcome., including people who don't identify as queer men but who often get labelled that way and therefore have built some solidarity with queer men.

ACCESSIBILITY: This space is relatively accessible for men with mobility challenges, but if you have questions about accessibility or may need accomodations, let us know.

WHAT TO BRING

• a dish and/or beverage to share with about 5 other people. Please consider making a dish that includes some ingredients from you local farmer's market, local food or farm stores, as our local food system needs our support in continuing to bring us fresh abundance. Also, please make a small sign for your dish that discloses if it contains any of these common allergens/restrictions: dairy, gluten, eggs, meat/chicken/fish, nuts/peanuts, MSG, preservatives, food colors, alcohol, caffeine, sugar, soy, vegan, vegetarian, paleo, etc.
• $10-$20 Tax-Deductible Donation , in cash, or check made out to "Q-MoB Inc" (Q-MoB is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit), who will share 50% of your donations with the Unitarian Universalist Church, or so you never have to donate at any regular Q-MoB event, or just come for free if this is the very 1st Q-MoB event you have ever attended or if you are low-income and want a scholarship or work-exchange (just let us know when you register)
• Diverse queer male friends or neighbors

DIRECTIONS/PARKING: Feel free to park on the street. If you have mobility challenges & need to park close to the entrance, let us know so we can try to accomodate.

ALCOHOL POLICY: Because this event is open to men 18-20, we ask you not to bring alcohol or cannabis or dishes containing either.

CARPOOLING/RIDE-SHARE: Carpooling is a great way to get to know other men, save money on gas, and help to reduce your carbon footprint and save the planet. If you need a ride or are open to carpooling, please indicate that when you are registering, & our ride coordinator will try to match you with people nearby who are interested in carpooling or offering rides.

OR : Please donate $10-$20 to help assure Q-MoB can continue to offer more than 20 activities & multiple resources & services to rural queer men all over the region. If you attend 2 or more Q-MoB events/month, please consider becoming a monthly sustaining donor member. By donating $25, $35, $50, $75, or $100/month you can help to sustain the incredible variety of activities, services, and resources Q-MoB provides and assure all of these activities are accessible to men regardless of their age, income, or ability, and best of all you can avoid having to donate at each and every event you attend. Monthly Sustaining Members pay only once a month and then can attend all our activities with no further donation.

REACHING US DAY OF THE EVENT: If you have trouble finding the salon, will be late, need a ride, or need mobility accomodation, please call/text Bart at 413-344-8162 or the co-host (his name & phone number will be in the confirmation email you receive.

Host or Publisher Q-MoB (Queer Men of the Berkshires)