In 2023, Drag Queen Tara and their King dreamed of constructing an area that might be a secure haven for his or her queer group. That dream got here within the type of a group heart bookstore they named Mosaics. The shop in Provo, Utah, is dwelling to not solely books; it’s additionally dwelling to the United Drag Alliance. Each the Alliance and Mosaics are nonprofits with the aim of uplifting and celebrating LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and different marginalized voices and experiences.
It’s possible you’ll keep in mind that Mosaics discovered itself with the doubtful honor of getting a bomb menace again in April of this 12 months. Sadly, that was neither the primary nor final bomb menace the community-centered bookstore skilled. There was one in September 2023 and once more in July 2024.
These bomb threats took a toll not solely on the shop but additionally on Tara and their household. Individuals have proven as much as Drag Story Hours hosted past Mosaics, together with elsewhere in Utah and Wyoming, which characteristic Tara as a visitor. They have been additionally doxxed out of their dwelling and have needed to transfer with their household into an undisclosed location. Tara’s well being has additionally been immediately impacted by these threats and acts of violence towards their life and the lives of their family members.
Now, Mosaics is vulnerable to being shut down.
Given the necessity to have a secure house for queer folks and their allies anyplace in the US, particularly in locations like Utah the place the state has put a goal on the again of LGBTQ+ folks over the past a number of legislative classes, personal establishments like Mosaics serve an important objective. Closure could be an amazing loss.
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To remain viable going into 2025, Mosaics wants to boost $200,000. This consists of $6,500 in month-to-month operational prices, alongside $60,000 in labor prices—immediately impacting trans, genderqueer, nonbinary, and different queer staff. Further bills embody medical care, psychological well being providers, and future initiatives for the group.
Crowd Fundraising
Mosaics launched an IndieGoGo marketing campaign that gives the chance to make any sized monetary donation. You can even make donations in several denominations and earn perks for doing so, starting from a personalised thanks, a digital Drag Story Home present, naming rights to an area in Mosaics, and extra.
Private Purchases
Audiobooks
You possibly can set your Libro.fm account to buy audiobooks by means of Mosaics. Every buy will profit the bookstore and United Drag Alliance nonprofit. Seize a few LGBTQ+ audiobooks by means of Libro.fm this week—or join a membership for a 12 months of audiobooks—with Mosaics as your bookstore of alternative. Observe: in case you have one other indie you help already this manner, simply quickly change the shop.
Do some unbiased bookstore buying by means of Bookshop.org. Set your bookstore to Mosaics and make some purchases.
Cease in Retailer
For those who’re in Provo or close by, cease on the retailer to do some buying. Even when books aren’t in your funds, you’ll be able to present as much as any of the occasions they’ve obtained deliberate all through December (scroll down on the hyperlink to search out them). That help can’t be highlighted sufficient.
Another choice for locals is to ebook their occasion house on your personal use.
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