Greetings Friend and Ally!
I am delighted to reach out today with an invitation for your participation in lifting authentic transgender voices in Maine through increasing access to trans poetry. As you may have noticed, the times are calling for the elevation of marginalized voices, disproportionately transgender and BIPOC have been historically denied or erased. The Trans Poetics Archive aims to respond to this call.
In his first couple weeks, the current U.S. President has declared there are only “two legal genders” in the U.S., where 8% of books banned carry transgender narratives. The first target of book burning in WWII was at the Institute of Sexual Research in Berlin, the World’s first trans clinic, burned over 20,000 books, erasing transgender science, history and existence. Just yesterday the National Park Service removed the word “transgender” from the Stonewall Memorial website. This is the time to stand up for freedom of transgender expression and to support access to authentic transgender narratives.
We are publishing Maine’s first Transgender Poetry Anthology; Monster Beauties, thanks to the USM GRO Scholarship, Graduate Studies Scholarship and Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity Council mini-grant, in collaboration with local designers and printers, Pink Eraser Press and Walch Printing. The anthology features 24 intergenerational Maine-affiliated voices ranging from ages 16-74, and just as wide a range of backgrounds.
We invite you to join us for the launch on Tuesday, May 20th at Space Gallery in Portland, with special host, Portland’s 7th Poet Laureate, Maya Williams and Keynote Speaker, Ian-Khara Ellasante, PhD, Assistant Professor of Gender and Sexuality at Bates College.
We are asking our supporters to help us raise funds to pay our featured performers and artist collaborators, to purchase books for our give-away, and promotional merchandise. Each book will be donated to individuals, nonprofits and to local libraries throughout Maine to archive and share contemporary trans narratives.
Please take a moment to look over our sponsorship levels below and select the one that best suits your personal or business capacity. We appreciate the community rallying around us to help lift authentic trans stories and support for expanding the Trans Poetics Archive.
In Solidarity,
t love smith (they/them)
GRO Scholar, Trans Poetics Archive Curator at USM Stonecoast MFA
Monster Beauties Book Launch & Giveaway Sponsorship Levels
1. Enthusiast ($50)
Show Your Support for Trans Voices!
Your name will be listed as a supporter in the event program.
A special shout-out on our social media event channels (Instagram, Facebook).
2. Muse ($100)
Lift Up Trans Poetry!
All of the above, plus:
Your name or logo will be featured on our Facebook event and included in event promotional materials.
A personalized thank-you post on our social media, tagging your socials.
3. Archivist ($250)
Partner in the Archival of Trans Legacies!
All of the above, plus:
Your name or logo featured prominently in the event program, and any event promotions and merchandise.
A reserved seat at the event, ensuring a premium experience.
Public recognition during the event, with a thank-you shout-out from the stage.
4. Catalyst ($500)
Be a Beacon for Trans Voices!
All of the above, plus:
A dedicated post across social media channels, spotlighting your business/organization’s support for trans poetry and community empowerment.
Two complimentary reserved seating tickets to the anthology launch.
5. Luminary ($1000)
Light the Way for Trans Poets in Maine!
All of the above, plus:
Your name or logo will be featured as the Luminary Sponsor of the event, with special mentions at both the beginning and end of the event.
Mention of your sponsorship in WMPG radio advertising.
Option to include a branded item (shwag) in the event giveaway bags and/or table at the event.
Alternative (non-cash) Support:
6. Food & Love
The way to the heart is through the belly! Food and love is another way to give to this cause.
Help us feed our poets and attendees for the night of the launch. We are hoping for 50-100 attendees.
All of the above benefits in dollar-for-dollar exchange.
7. Artist Solidarity
The way to build a movement is through solidarity!
Would you like to make live art at this event to auction off for 100 % profits!
Looking for dancers, visual artists, musicians, and more to join us in solidarity. We would like to find mutually beneficial ways to collaborate so send us proposals.
Email transpoeticsarchive@gmail.com
All of the above benefits in dollar-for-dollar exchange.
8. Raffle Items
Rally around us at the event with raffle items to help make our event even more interactive and raise more funds for future Trans Poetics Archive Events!!
What to donate: gift cards, locally-made merchandise, tickets to local events, gas cards, food cards, tattoos, art, really, anything you think would be nice to get in a raffle. We appreciate your unique way of giving to this cause.
Email transpoeticsarchive@gmail.com
All of the above benefits in dollar-for-dollar exchange.
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Please reach out to t.love.smith@maine.edu with any questions or donation suggestions. We hope you will help us reach our goal of $3000 to cover poet honorariums, books for the giveaway, promotional materials and Monster Beauty t-shirts by Little Chair Printing who have donated a $150 discount on our first screenprint run.
Your solidarity is our best defense to combat the political attacks on our community. To counter the erasure, with your help, we are building an accessible, undeniable Trans Poetics Archive.
In Solidarity!