Anybody who has logged right into a Spotify or Apple Music account — or heck, entered a public area — prior to now week is aware of that Taylor Swift just lately launched a brand new album: “The Tortured Poets Division.”
However as the whole world listens to, research, and feedback on the eyebrow-raising 31 new tracks from Swift, a faction of her most devoted followers have used it as a possibility to do some good.
The Denver Gaylors, a group of LGBTQ+ Swift followers in Colorado, threw a flashy listening get together for “TTPD” final week.
Though there have been loads of traditional Swift signifiers (friendship bracelets, lyric evaluation, and extra), the occasion went past a typical fan gathering.
Collectively, the Denver Gaylors raised over $1,300 for femme, trans and nonbinary of us dealing with homelessness within the Denver space.
Though Gaylors (followers who wish to juxtapose the singer’s music onto queer literature, themes, and historical past; noting that the megastar has neither explicitly confirmed nor denied an LGBTQ+ id) sometimes get a nasty rap, this localized group of followers simply desires to do one factor: Foster group.
“Denver Gaylors began as a ardour undertaking by three queer mates who wished to attend Taylor Swift occasions, however gayer. Not all Taylor-centric occasions really feel welcoming and affirming for queer, trans, and nonbinary followers,” a Denver Gaylors member, Rose Bender, advised Good Good Good.
However after their first few occasions, they realized there was an urge for food for extra, and with the discharge of “TTPD,” followers have been abuzz.
“Taylor Swift followers know the joy of ready for a brand new album to drop, and there’s one thing particular about having considered one of your first listens in group with fellow followers.”
The listening get together included dissecting Swift’s latest tracks by BINGO video games and brackets, a “TTPD” themed e-book swap with a native queer e-book store, a flash sheet of tattoos from a neighborhood artist, a everlasting jewellery station, picture ops, and raffle drawings stuffed with goodies donated by LGBTQ+ and ally-owned companies.
“As a queer, feminist bookstore we all know how beneficial LGBTQ-centric occasions are to our group and the way a lot pleasure it may possibly convey to be in a protected, enjoyable area,” Dylah Ray, proprietor of bookstore Petals & Pages, advised Good Good Good.
“Working along with different queer teams and companies is so vital to us to construct a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene in Denver.”
City Corridor Collaborative, a women-owned occasion area within the metropolis, additionally donated its area to the trigger. Bender stated this was particularly useful, since over 450 turned out on the night of the listening get together.
The sale of raffle tickets supported The Delores Undertaking, a neighborhood nonprofit that gives assist to femme, trans, and nonbinary Denverites experiencing housing insecurity.
“Y’all, we’re so moved by what number of of you confirmed up and supported The Delores Undertaking and their superb mission,” Denver Gaylors shared in an Instagram submit. “We had 97 donors, 19 raffle prize winners, and raised a complete of $1,300 {dollars}!”
“Our raffle was made attainable by beneficiant queer and allied companies and artists who donated some actually kick-ass prizes,” Bender added, to Good Good Good.
The Delores Undertaking offers emergency shelter, rehousing, supportive housing, and behavioral well being and wellness care to girls, trans, and nonbinary members of the group.
With the assistance of donations, the group is ready to distribute gender-inclusive necessities to group members, in addition to proceed its work to offer inexpensive housing and free or low-cost providers to these in want.
“The Delores Undertaking has created a singular mannequin that embraces trauma-informed care at each stage and is main the way in which in transgender inclusion, racial fairness, and group engagement,” the group’s web site reads.
“It’s by the generosity of individuals such as you that our visitors and residents are capable of create paths to their stability.”
Along with monetary items and in-kind donations, the group encourages supporters to host occasions to spice up assist — and that’s precisely what Denver Gaylors did.
“We have been thrilled to amplify the work that Denver Gaylors did to lift cash for the Delores Undertaking which is such a beneficial service for our group,” Ray, of Petals & Pages, added.
This isn’t the one time the group has raised funds for space nonprofits. Final yr, for the discharge of “1989 (Taylor’s Model)” their listening get together garnered a pair hundred {dollars} for a neighborhood mutual support fund.
A listening get together for “Converse Now (Taylor’s Model)” additionally introduced in some beneficiant donations for The Delores Undertaking.
Total, Bender recalled, because the group has grown — alongside Swift’s stardom — organizers know that working with different queer companies, organizations, and artists is paramount in giving again to the group and investing within the sanctity of affirming areas.
“Denver Gaylors is a ardour undertaking organized by audacious sapphics and executed totally by volunteers,” an Instagram submit from the group stated.
Bender added: “We goal to make an area for LGBTQIA+ followers to shimmer.”
Header pictures courtesy of Taylor Swift/Common Music Group and Denver Gaylors
