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mental health
Join our annual February art+love-themed gathering, a trauma-informed experience where we’ll hear from an artist who has been through difficult relationship times- they will lead us in being creative and making art from our own stories. We’ll also hear from the OutFront Minnesota anti-violence team, who will share reflective questions and information about how power dynamics show up within all kinds of relationships.
There’s a history here- drugs and alcohol have both helped us to connect and have been a source of harm.
FACTS:
The use of drugs and alcohol is not inherently bad.
Queer people have found each other in bar spaces for a long time.
Drugs and alcohol use have directly and indirectly harmed so many LGBTQIA+ folks.
The alcohol industry and forces of substance legalization are such powerful influences. Balance with substance use can be helpful and healing, leading to freedom on dance floors, deep conversations, and mental health improvement. There are so many considerations, and no one right way to address these issues.
Folks who choose to use and those who choose sobriety can both become isolated, for different reasons. Queer people have higher substance use rates because of mental health issues arising from social trauma, family and religious trauma, panicky / phobic laws and politicians, and cultural stigma. Substances can be helpful when healing from depression, anxiety, PTSD and trauma symptoms; they can also be the cause of harm and some of these symptoms.
We see hope in the increasing trend (despite bans!) of drag brunches, library drag story hours, drag shows on TV and more. The euphoric feeling of finding your people is now accessible globally, intergenerationally, and outside of bar culture.
We don’t want the bars or the substances to go away, and we want there to be other options for folks. More than ever- given that queer culture is getting so commodified- we need to build deeper connections with each other. That’s why TQH gatherings are and will continue to be intergenerational connection and deep healing spaces and they will remain substance free.
This Telling Queer History Gathering:
is ASL Interpreted and held in an ADA-compliant building
will have food and non-alcoholic beverages available
has restrooms near the conference room where the event will take place
Is open to all ages of people
Is a substance-free space
tickets are free but you are invited to make a donation to TQH to cover the event costs (suggested donation of $25/person)
will have childcare available during the gathering
April 10th, 2016 2-4:30pm
Location TBD
Mental Health co-hosted by Reclaim
