A Living Queer Library in Asheville

Hey everyone! I wanted to set aside some time for the creation of a queer library. I’ve noticed that many of the resources available to queer people are physical related-- mental health, sexuality, and surgery-- but I've noticed there is very little available about queer spirituality, and the intersection of queerness and ritual.

That all being said, I am asking for your help raising money for the establishment of a queer living library in Asheville. A library with resources on the rich history of queer spirituality.

By living library, I mean a library accessible to anyone who comes, alongside monthly sessions where we can embody the rituals, songs, and dances that we read about and breathe them into life in our own ways.

In other words, theory and practice. A space where queer people can come and learn about the rich legacy of queer people as ritualists, musicians, dancers, and creators, a legacy that has been stripped by patriarchal capitalism.

And a space where we can act out and learn, test each other with new skills and rituals, and learn ancient forms of healing and magic in the modern age.

In community, and alone if called for!

So that is what makes this project a “living queer library"— it will be a playground for experimentation, a basis for ritual and practice in the modern age. All are welcome to monthly, multi-modal meetings where we will discuss readings and act out / create some version of what we’ve learned! Or just have tea and talk. :P

This living library is an invitation to learning and to community. Reclaiming the knowledge that has been stripped from queer people through violence, and digging back into our ancestral roots to reclaim our power. Join me! It’ll be fun (and queer)

Please consider donating to a super important cause! all donations would go directly towards queer learning and community, as well as societal healing. We aren’t going to heal these wounds without healing the queers, who are themselves the healing element of society. And, hopefully, this community will be a launching point for healing!

Love,

Jon-Delia

I am asking for $300 for the creation of a ritual space, a library stocked with queer spirituality resources, and the ongoing project of learning and celebrating queer knowledge!

All funds will go towards the establishment of a Queer Living Library in Asheville.

Topics of discussion and goals:

Ritual and practice; based on texts and research from ancient as well as modern societies. How transgender people fit in (or didn’t fit in) to societies. The establishment of a third gender role in the city of Asheville, and awareness about that role on the part of queer people and heteronormative people as well. The understanding of queer people as inhabiting a unique liminal space with an incredibly important perspective. The de-pathologization of queerness. A celebration of queerness! And, the creation of a loving queer community. :D