Dear Friend,

Last week we reached out to our supporters because we needed your help. QEJ faced a major cash flow crisis due to political fighting in Albany which stalled $40,000 in funding we were awarded in late summer of 2009.

Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, we raised $18,000, also meeting the matching gift of $11,000 created by friends of QEJ . Because of this support, we did not have to furlough staff and shut down operations. This funding will help us continue to our unique work organizing and advocating for the thousands of those in our community who are homeless, poor, working class, and largely people of color marginalized from the mainstream LGBT community.

We at QEJ are so deeply humbled and overwhelmed by this outpouring support. To our friends and communities, THANK YOU for standing with us and supporting QEJ’s work for justice. This support will help QEJ continue our essential operations in the weeks ahead. To show you our appreciation, QEJ staff made a short video to thank all of you for helping us in this critical time. Click here to see our message.

You should know that QEJs efforts to expedite the release of the grant also paid off, as we finally received the contract this week from Albany to receive our long-awaited funding. This will set us back on track in the next month when we should receive the money.

A compounding factor for with the cash flow crisis was the fact that QEJ was also told that we had move by the end of this month. Our landlords did not renew their lease with the building and we were in a position of looking for a new home for QEJ while dealing with the immediate crisis, facing the real possibility of being without a home in addition to furloughing our staff.  Thankfully this worst case scenario did not come to pass! We found a new space that will help us to further serve our constituencies better.  Details about our move will be coming next week.

Again, THANK YOU so much for your generosity, good-will and support. QEJ is lucky to have you as our ally in our fight for a more socially just world. We could not be more grateful to have you as our supporter.

With much appreciation,

Kenyon Farrow

Executive Director

P.S. - You know it took us more than one take to make this video. And just for you, we prepared another video of our outtakes. Click here to see our case of the giggles.

Many of the mainstream LGBTQ organizations focus on single issue, electoral and policy based organizing/advocacy. Whereas the work done by many of the radical, grassroots LGBTQ groups focuses on grassroots strategies, with a heavy focus on movement building. Often we’re told this work doesn’t have impact, or doesn’t have measurable goals. What is movement building and why is it a cornerstone of the grassroots movement? What are the strategies being utilized by different queer groups to build the movement? What has been successful and what has failed in the past?

JOIN THE CALL TO FIND OUT!

Please RSVP to this call.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

2pm-3:30pm EST/11am-12:30pm PST

Conference Call # (712) 432-0600

Password: 751219#

Moderator: Suzanne Pharr, Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice (New York, NY)

Presenters include:

Lisa Weiner-Mahfuz, Intersections/Intersecciones Consulting (San Francisco, CA)

Patty Burne, Sins Invalid (San Francisco, CA)

Coya Artichoker, Sacred Circle (Rapid City, SD)

Paulina Hernandez, Southerners on New Ground (Atlanta, GA)

Click Here to RSVP!

The purpose of the Act Queer! teleconference series is to connect grassroots LGBTQ, racial,and economic justice organizations with national queer and/or allied coalitions and organizations to share information and  strategies on racial and economic justice issues.

As you may already know, earlier this week, QEJ faced the real possibility of having to furlough our staff, suspend vital services for its constituents and temporarily close its doors today. This was due to a cash flow crisis created by the delay in the release of a promised $40,000 grant by New York State that has been stalled for months due to political fighting in Albany.

To meet this crisis head-on, we at QEJ mobilized quickly. We cut expenses, our Board gave what they could, QEJ reached out to close friends and a generous Foundation began the process of advancing a grant to us. But we needed to be liquid immediately.

As a last recourse, QEJ turned to our base for help as your on-line gifts go directly to QEJ. Thanks to individuals like you, since Monday, QEJ has been able to raise $9,000 so far. We at QEJ are so deeply humbled and overwhelmed by this outpouring support. To our friends and communities, THANK YOU for standing with us and supporting QEJ’s work for justice. This support will help QEJ continue its bare essential operations in the weeks ahead.

Now, our goal is to reach at least $11,000, as friends of QEJ have pooled their resources and promised to match up to $11,000 to meet the crisis if we can raise that ourselves. QEJ needs your help in a final push to raise that $2,000 difference.

With additional support from you , we will be able to secure this generous match, and with enough support, QEJ can be fully operational. Please consider making a gift today of $100 to help us reach our goal. Gifts of any size are deeply appreciated and will go a long way in supporting QEJ as the leading national voice on behalf of low-income and poor LGBTQ people.

QEJ is just just short of reaching our goal. Please help QEJ maximize our efforts to sustain QEJ and its work until the New York State grant is distributed. Thank you for your generosity and consideration.

And thank you, so much, for helping QEJ continue our critical work for the most marginal within the LGBTQ community and our unique voice for sexual & gender liberation and economic justice. One of QEJ’s greatest resources is our supporters, and we are so fortunate to have YOU as our partner in the fight for a more socially just world.

With the utmost gratitude,

Kenyon Farrow

Executive Director

P.S. You can further support QEJ by forwarding this e-mail on to your friends, loved ones and communities and asking them to donate to QEJ as well. Thank you again for your consideration.

Dear Friend–

On behalf of Queers for Economic Justice, I write to respectfully ask that you consider making an emergency gift of $100 to QEJ today to help us meet an unexpected financial crisis. Your gift will also count towards a matching gift of up to $11,000 created to meet this crisis. To those who have already given, thank you so much for your support.

Why QEJ is seeking your help

Over the past few months, the fighting in Albany has held nonprofit groups hostage by stalling disbursements of promised grants. This has left QEJ $40,000 in the hole, as we were expecting our grant by now. QEJ is a lean organization, and so this delay is nothing short of devastating. We have no alternative but to turn to our supporters in this most dire time.

Why QEJ needs your immediate support

Without your support today, we cannot make payroll this friday and continue our important work on behalf of the most marginal people in the LGBTQ community, including:

· Ongoing support groups in shelters for homeless LGBTQ people in New York City

· Advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ people on welfare

· Public education on the effects of the economy on poor LGBTQ people

Your gift will count now more than ever. Click here to make a difference.

What QEJ is doing to meet this crisis head-on

• We’re working with our allies in Albany to expedite the release of our grant. One of our Foundation partners is also advancing a grant to us. However, both efforts take time, and we need immediate support

• Our Board has given what they can and is reaching out to secure support

• We’ve cut down on all but the most essential expenses

• A group of QEJ’s friends promised to pool their money and make a gift of up to $11,000 if we can match it. Since Monday, thanks to supporters like you, we’ve raised $7,230. We are humbled by such generosity, but still need your help to reach our goal by this Friday.

Your gift matters now more than ever

Please consider making an emergency gift of $100 to QEJ by clicking here. We are grateful for anything you are able to give, and all gifts, regardless of size, will allow us to continue our critical work for poor and low-income queers. On behalf of the Staff, Board, and constituencies we serve, thank you so much for your good-will and solidarity during his critical time.

With deepest appreciation,

Kenyon Farrow

Executive Director

P.S. You can further support QEJ by forwarding this e-mail on to your friends, loved ones and communities and asking them to donate to QEJ as well. Thank you again for your consideration.

We’ve already taken steps to address this crisis.  A Foundation that supports QEJ has graciously agreed to advance a grant to QEJ, but that takes time, and we need the support immediately, and it will only meet part of our needs. QEJ’s Board has given what they can and a few of QEJ’s close friends have pledged to make gifts totaling 11 thousand dollars if our supporters can match this amount. Please look into your heart and do what you can to help us reach this goal. Your gift will go directly to supporting QEJ’s work.

At this critical time, please consider making an emergency gift of $100 to QEJ by clicking here. Gifts of all sizes are appreciated and will allow us to continue our pioneering work. Thank you for your understanding, generosity and continued support of Queers for Economic Justice. We deeply appreciate you as our partner for justice.

With much gratitude,
Kenyon Farrow
Executive Director

Appearing at a February 17 press conference at the Housing Works Bookstore in Soho, Reina Gossett, a representative of Queers for Economic Justice, hailed the breakthrough, which won final approval in December from HRA Commissioner Robert Doar, but cautioned, “We still have far to go. In the past, similar city policies have failed in the training phase using inadequate curriculum and trainers lacking cultural competence. We need everyone’s support to insure that all HRA employees are trained.”

Congratulations to the Welfare Justice Coalition including Queers for Economic Justice, the TransJustice program at Brooklyn’s Audre Lorde Project,  Housing Works, and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project.

Just wanted to let you know about some upcoming events in which QEJ is participating. We hope to see you at one or more!

Monday Feb 15th, 730pm: Take This Hammer: James Baldwin & The Right to the City

Followed by a discussion with Rich Blint (Doctoral Candidate, NYU American Studies) and Kenyon Farrow (Executive Director, Queers for Economic Justice)

A documentary that was lost for more than 40 years, Take This Hammer follows author and activist James Baldwin in the spring of 1963, as he’s driven around San Francisco to meet with members of the local African-American community.

Brecht Forum: 451 West Street (bet. Bank & Bethune). NYC.

Wednesday Feb 17th, 10am: Welfare Justice Campaign Press Conference.

On December 23, 2009 — after five years of organizing by Trans and Gender Non Conforming communities — the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) passed a procedure to stop rampant transphobic discrimination and harassment in New York City’s welfare system. Speakers include Jane Corbett, Executive Deputy Commissioner of HRA and members of the Welfare Justice Campaign (TransJustice of the Audre Lorde Project, Housing Works, Queers for Economic Justice, and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project).

Housing Works Bookstore, 126 Crosby Street (between Prince St. and East Houston), NYC.

Saturday, Feb 20th, 7pm: The Myth of a Post-Racial Society.

Post-Obama, has America become colorblind—and is that even a worthy or achievable goal in this country? How does the supposed “post-racial” society measure up to the reality of poor and working people’s lives, 60 years after the Black civil rights movement? Join a freewheeling discussion and celebrate the ongoing struggle for “Freedom Now!”

Speakers include: Norma Abdulah, a retired school teacher and longtime Harlem civil rights leader; Kenyon Farrow, from Queers for Economic Justice and co-editor of Letters from Young Activists; and Emily Woo Yamasaki, representing the Comrades of Color Caucus of Freedom Socialist Party and Radical Women.
Door donation, $3. Savory southern supper, 6pm, $9 donation. Work exchanges available for students, low-income and unemployed people.

Freedom Hall, 113 West 128th Street, Harlem (b/t Malcolm X Blvd. & 7th Ave.) Childcare is provided.

The Myth of a Post-Racial Society

Post-Obama, has America become colorblind—and is that even a worthy or achievable goal in this country? How does the supposed “post-racial” society measure up to the reality of poor and working people’s lives, 60 years after the Black civil rights movement? Join a freewheeling discussion and celebrate the ongoing struggle for “Freedom Now!”

Speakers will include Norma Abdulah, a retired school teacher and longtime Harlem civil rights leader; Kenyon Farrow, from Queers for Economic Justice and co-editor of Letters from Young Activists; and Emily Woo Yamasaki, representing the Comrades of Color Caucus of Freedom Socialist Party and Radical Women.

]]> http://q4ej.org/farrow-speaking-on-myth-of-post-racial-society/feed http://q4ej.org/farrow-speaking-on-myth-of-post-racial-society http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/QueersForEconomicJustice/~3/xvAvXEX2h5o/feb-17-trans-victory-welfare-justice-press-conference http://q4ej.org/feb-17-trans-victory-welfare-justice-press-conference#comments Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:03:13 +0000 Q4EJ http://q4ej.org/?p=811 On February 17 at 10am a press conference will be held at Housing Works Bookstore (126 Crosby St, between Prince and E. Houston) that will announce a victory for the Welfare Justice Campaign.

The Welfare Justice Campaign is a joint project of Queers for Economic Justice, Audre Lorde Project, Sylvia Rivera Law Project and Housing Works.

Click here to read the full press release.