Welcome back everyone. And welcome all newcomers to the page!
We're getting ever closer to ABT and, that being said, I'd like to get a few things out of the way.
First: We're entering into the FINAL push to reach my $800 fundraising goal. I've still got a fair amount to go and I have until THIS MONDAY, September 30 to reach it. If you're able to help, please visit my Fundraising Page and donate!
Second: For friends and family from the lakeshore area in Michigan, I'd like to take a minute to highlight TWO organizations that you can get involved in to make a difference in our community.
The first is Holland Is Ready. Their general mission is: "To work for the safety, rights, and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families in the greater Holland area." More recently, they've been tasked with fighting for LGBT individuals to be included in the Anti-discrimination ordinance and policies. The Holland City Council rejected this measure in June 2011. HIR is always looking for financial support as well as volunteers. Visit their website to learn more about how to get involved and follow them on Facebook/Twitter.
The second organization, which I've mentioned once previously, is PFLAG. The wonderful individuals there have a Holland/Lakeshore Chapter that meets once a month. Additionally, if you're not from the lakeshore area, visit PFLAG's website to find a chapter near you!
Finally, Straight For Equality has a super cool page set up just for the ABT! There you can learn more about the organizations we're working with, as well as the other volunteers I'll be traveling with. I'll also be highlighting each organization as I blog from the road.
With those details out of the way, let's move on to a real update!
This one will be a little shorter, but there are some important things to update you all on. My flight to New Orleans leaves one week from today! Can you believe it's almost here? I've begun final preparations on a few things, including verifying my vacation dates at work and getting ahead on homework. The homework part hasn't been nearly as exciting as everything else - I'm turning in two different assignments a week early due to my absences. But doing so is completely worth it!
One of the individuals I'll be volunteering with has set up an ABT specific Instagram account: @abtwithfun You'll be able to follow our adventures there as well as on my Instagram: @Liz_Burgess
Also, as you'll read from the Straight for Equality page, the official hashtag for the trip is #AllyCoalitionABT. You'll be able to search that hashtag on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to find updates from all of the volunteers, as well as the organizations we're working with. Feel free to share those posts with everyone on your social networks!
We also have our final conference call this week to hammer out the last of the details for the trip. I'll be passing some of those on to you in my final update before the trip.
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to leave it in the comments, or contact me via social media.
Thanks for reading!
.
Credit: Broadway Impact
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Touring for Equality's 1st Post!
Hey everyone!
If you've been directed here, I'm guessing it's safe to assume you're interested in learning about me, my Alternative Break Tour trip, and the fight for equality. If not, well, that's what you'll be getting.
First, let me start by giving you a little background on the trip for those of you that are unfamiliar.
Calling All Crows was founded about five years ago as a way to combine music and activism. The unique thing about this incredible organization is that they do not focus on one single issue. Rather, they complete service projects that involve many different types of issues like education, environmental policy, women's empowerment, and (my ABT focus) LGBTQ rights/marriage equality.
The Ally Coalition was founded just over a year ago by the band fun. and Rachel Antonoff. It raises awareness for LGBTQ equality by working with various individuals in the music, entertainment, and fashion world.
For their 10th Alternative Break Tour, CAC has partnered with fun., The Ally Coalition, and PFLAG to send 10 fans on tour with the band for five days where we will connect with local LGBTQ organizations, complete service projects, and participate in concert outreach. We'll be doing projects in New Orleans, LA, Houston, TX, and Atlanta, GA. Additionally, we'll be volunteering in TAC's Equality Village at each concert, and then get to enjoy the concert as fans.
I am very honored to have been chosen for this opportunity and I am very excited to get started. The trip begins two weeks from today in New Orleans, LA. If you're interested in helping to make this trip a possibility, I encourage you to visit my StayClassy page and donate to CAC. Every dollar donated will go towards our work on tour. My goal is to reach $800 by September 30, of which I've already made it a fair amount of the way thanks to some very generous friends and family.
Now that the essentials are out of the way, let's move on. I shall be updating this blog on a semi-regular basis before, during, and after the trip. I encourage you to check it out and/or sign up for email updates so you don't miss a thing! Also, I will be updating with more details on the trip as it gets closer, but if you have any questions about the trip, LGBTQ issues, or the involved organizations, leave them in the comments section and I'll get back to you!
Lastly, THANK YOU for joining me on this incredible ride. It is sure to be a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget.
Actual last thing: I besides the linkies in this post, I have linked to the various related websites on the sidebar. Feel free to check those out to find out how YOU can get involved in your own town! Additionally, there are links to my Twitter and Instagram where you can follow my trip in real time!
Til next time,
Liz
If you've been directed here, I'm guessing it's safe to assume you're interested in learning about me, my Alternative Break Tour trip, and the fight for equality. If not, well, that's what you'll be getting.
First, let me start by giving you a little background on the trip for those of you that are unfamiliar.
Calling All Crows was founded about five years ago as a way to combine music and activism. The unique thing about this incredible organization is that they do not focus on one single issue. Rather, they complete service projects that involve many different types of issues like education, environmental policy, women's empowerment, and (my ABT focus) LGBTQ rights/marriage equality.
The Ally Coalition was founded just over a year ago by the band fun. and Rachel Antonoff. It raises awareness for LGBTQ equality by working with various individuals in the music, entertainment, and fashion world.
For their 10th Alternative Break Tour, CAC has partnered with fun., The Ally Coalition, and PFLAG to send 10 fans on tour with the band for five days where we will connect with local LGBTQ organizations, complete service projects, and participate in concert outreach. We'll be doing projects in New Orleans, LA, Houston, TX, and Atlanta, GA. Additionally, we'll be volunteering in TAC's Equality Village at each concert, and then get to enjoy the concert as fans.
I am very honored to have been chosen for this opportunity and I am very excited to get started. The trip begins two weeks from today in New Orleans, LA. If you're interested in helping to make this trip a possibility, I encourage you to visit my StayClassy page and donate to CAC. Every dollar donated will go towards our work on tour. My goal is to reach $800 by September 30, of which I've already made it a fair amount of the way thanks to some very generous friends and family.
Now that the essentials are out of the way, let's move on. I shall be updating this blog on a semi-regular basis before, during, and after the trip. I encourage you to check it out and/or sign up for email updates so you don't miss a thing! Also, I will be updating with more details on the trip as it gets closer, but if you have any questions about the trip, LGBTQ issues, or the involved organizations, leave them in the comments section and I'll get back to you!
Lastly, THANK YOU for joining me on this incredible ride. It is sure to be a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget.
Actual last thing: I besides the linkies in this post, I have linked to the various related websites on the sidebar. Feel free to check those out to find out how YOU can get involved in your own town! Additionally, there are links to my Twitter and Instagram where you can follow my trip in real time!
Til next time,
Liz
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