Mutual Aid Spotlight: Pansy Collective
- Vigilance D
- Jun 10
- 2 min read
The Local Collective is founded on the belief that we are stronger when we take an active, collective role in resisting the social isolation caused by our productivity-centered way of life. Mutual aid is direct action taken by communities to care for one another without relying on government, corporations, or other institutions.
WNC is fortunate to have a variety of grassroots organizations committed to serving our community. We’d like to highlight some of them as models of how we can all show up for each other. You might even be inspired to get involved!
Spotlight: Pansy Collective
Pansy Collective is a Trans-Founded and Trans-Led Artist Collective focused on music and Mutual Aid. In their early years, their work was centered around an annual music festival where Queer and BIPOC bands were invited to Asheville from all over Turtle Island (now called The United States). Pansy made it their mission to pay these artists well and help them travel as needed. Queer folks from all over the country gathered for this festival and experienced together a sense of community that had been impossible to find for many members of the 2LGBTQ+ community.
Unfortunately COVID put an end to the regular festival, but Pansy Collective has since dove deeper into their mutual aid efforts. They're putting on benefits to raise money for gender affirming surgeries, helping the WNC Queer community get their needs met, and beating the National Guard and FEMA to gathering and delivering supplies in the wake of disasters like COVID and Hurricane Helene.
Consider putting your money where your allyship is this Pride Month and make a donation to Pansy Collective's efforts to care for our neighbors.
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pansy.collective/
Comments