F.A.Q.

How can I get involved?

Come meet us! The NEKRC routinely holds community events in Newport and Saint Johnsbury. Upcoming events can be found on our calendar.

Do I have to be LGBTQIA+ to attend?

No. Unless something is specifically marked, like a support group for trans people or speed dating for women, anyone is welcome at our events. Straight allies are important to the community!

Are you a nonprofit?

Yes! We are recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3). Donations are tax-deductible, and since we are an all-volunteer team, all funds go directly to our main mission.

Where can I read your policies?

Our General, Event, and Pridefest policies can he found here. If you have questions, you can contact us any time.

What do you do with donations?

At our meetings, we have a policy that everybody eats. This means that our minimum financial obligation for every meeting includes space rental, snacks, and drinks. Other common costs for smaller events are decorations, board games for the community, and promotional materials like flyers and signs.

We also host the annual NEK PrideFest in Newport, which involves parade fees, event insurance, first aid and accessibility costs, equipment rentals, decorations, activities, and roughly one thousand other little things. But it is so worth it!

What does your logo mean?

Our Rainbow Loon logo was designed by a member of our team in 2022.

The long bars of the rainbow are the colors of the traditional Pride flag. The short bars add in the both transgender pride colors and spectrum of skin tones represented in the Progress Pride flag to demonstrate a commitment to that inclusivity.

The Common Loon is a bird found in the Northeast Kingdom. A few decades ago, they were an endangered species in Vermont, but deliberate conservation efforts have created a safer environment for them to thrive. We see this as a kind of corollary for our work. Of course, ‘loony’ and ‘crazy as a loon’ have also been phrases used to mean offbeat, unusual, and even just loud. We see a little of ourselves there, too. Finally, many Native peoples have stories about the loon as a guide, which we hope it can be to us, and we can be to others.

The loon is shown with welcoming outspread wings.