Register for the auction using the auction tab at the top of the page

A BRIEF HIRSTORY: Once upon a time in 2015, Sam Berliner was living in Berkeley, CA minding his own business when one day he suddenly said aloud, “queer scouts.” It was an exciting moment. He asked himself what it meant and realized that he had no idea but that he wanted to do it. As he told more friends about it, everyone said they wanted to join before even knowing what it was. After connecting with Rose Slam! Johnson, founder of Queer Camp Bay Area, interviewing his Dad who had been an Eagle Scout in the 1950s, working with graphic designer Hunter Rook to create the iconic pink unicorn and stars, and purchasing a button maker, Queer Scouts was off and running! Queer Scouts is a social/educational group for LGBTQAI+ adults and allies who get together at monthly peer-led skillshares and build community, earning a button for each skill learned and gathering annually at summer camp. Fast forward to 2023 and there are / have been 5 different troops: Bay Area, Orange County, Seattle, South Sound / Tacoma and Boston. And this year, it was decided that Queer Scouts Inc should be a proper non-profit organization so we can continue to grow!

MISSION STATEMENT: Queer Scouts organizes inclusive, diverse monthly peer-led educational skillshares for LGBTQIA+ adults and allies which empower authentic self-expression and build thriving communities.

FUNDRAISER: We just recently completed the process of submitting all of our paperwork to receive our 501c3 designation as an official non-profit organization. With this status we are going to be able to provide: More Community Support, More Events, More Skillshares, And that's just the start! In order to do all these amazing things we need to raise additional funds to help do more for the community and pay for the legal fees that helped us apply for 501c3 designation. We are currently only able to cover 50% of the cost and we need your help to cover the rest so we can continue to thrive and grow! Thank you in advance for your support and we can't wait to do even more for this amazing community!

Read on to learn more about Queer Scouts!

DEFINITION: Queer kwi(əә)r/ Adjective, Noun 1. (n) Anyone who wants to identify as queer 2. (adj) Feeling, presenting, or behaving outside of society’s norms in regard to gender, sexuality or/and even politics. Examples: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Ally, Gender Fluid Person, Person Questioning Sexuality or Gender etc.

TENETS:

• Radical Inclusion: We strive to create an environment where anyone could feel welcome and included. Everyone has had a variety of experiences throughout their lives that impact the way they see the world. Inevitably, when we gather, there might be conflicting attitudes and language used. Everyone is encouraged to urge each other to create inclusive language, behaviors, and philosophies.

• Drugs and Alcohol: Queer events are often fueled by alcohol and the commodification of sex. We strive to create an environment that focuses on connection. We ask that alcohol and drug use are not used during events and strive to create a space that is free from the “hook up” culture that can be intimidating and exclusive.

• Participants Create: Queer Scouts is an experimentation built by participants. Workshops, meals, clean up, set up, etc, is all built on participants signing up to help and create it!

• Growth: With integrity and compassion, we will stretch together to develop a culture that cares for all of us!

VALUES:

• Gender/Identity Respect: We respect and celebrate that everyone has a dynamic identity and we want that identity to shine and grow!

• Acknowledge Injustices: We acknowledge that the current social systems are inherently unjust and we strive to recreate systems that serve all of us.

• Fun/Play: We believe that because there is so much pain and suffering in the world, we all deserve a break. We strive to create connection and relief through fun and playful skillshares!