|
Ways We Help
Fantasia Fair helps the LGBTIQ Community
Fantasia Fair exists to help people.
In 1975, when the Fair was first conceived, it was in response to a "need for crossdressers and transsexuals to
learn about themselves in an open, socially tolerant environment." We provide education and support for not just
crossdressers and transsexuals, but also to the wider LGBTIQ community and those professionals who are involved
with the community.
Fund Raising for Charities and Civic Organizations
Provincetown was picked as the host city because of its reputation for tolerance and it had become somewhat of
an LGBT Mecca. We love the town and its people and we try to say "Thank you" - a lot.
Can You Make A Recommendation?
If you would like to recommend a charity that Fairgoers can raise money for, please send a
message to director@fantasiafair.org.
Nominations are accepted each Winter/Spring and decisions are usually made before Summer.
One way that we try to say "thank you" is by helping various Provincetown charity and civic organizations.
Every year we are delighted to make a number of charitable contributions to different groups in town. In past years, we
made contributions to the the town library, an AIDS support group, a woman's shelter, the local soup kitchen,
a senior services group, and we helped buy the fire department a life-saving
defibrillator.
It is important to note that these generous contributions come from you, the Fairgoer, and from those who attend
our events and not from registration fees. One way we raise money for charity is with the Fantasia Fair Follies, a talent show of Fair
attendees. Every year, the performers donate all the tips given to them in their performance to charity. When you come to enjoy
the Follies, we hope that you will tip generously!
For the 33rd Fantasia Fair in 2007, we raised $3,500 for the folks at the Provincetown Council On Aging. These hardworking people provide many needed services to the
elderly including fuel assistance, medical equipment loans, a meals-on-wheels program, an emergency food pantry, transportation of the
elderly for medical appointments, home visits for homebound elders and many other services.
Continuing the tradition of giving back to their home away from home, the 2008 attendees of the 34th Fantasia Fair raised $4,000
for the Soup Kitchen in Provincetown (SKIP). SKIP provides
free meals to any individual in the community who is in need and serves as a resource place for referrals
to social programs for further help in all areas of need, such as housing assistance.
Fairgoers of the 35th Fair in 2009 raised $4,200 for the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod and we made our annual donation to Helping Our Women, a non-profit organization in Provincetown that provides services to women
with chronic and life-threatening illnesses.
Transgender Pioneer Awards
Because so many in the community have sacrificed their careers, their families, and their fortunes because
of their commitments to gender, we provide financial assistance in the form of scholarships. In addition, each year
we recognize and honor various transgender leaders who have dedicated their lives to change the world so transgendered
people could begin to come together in safety and comfort. Without them, so many of us would still be hiding in our
closets.
You can learn more about these Pioneer Awards and those individuals who have been honored on our Transgender Pioneer Awards page.
Personal and Professional Development
For more than thirty years, the seminars, workshops, and lectures offered during the Fair have helped people better
understand themselves and the challenges that we all face. Every October, professional and academics from all over
the world made the trek to Cape Cod to share their knowledge and understanding. Recent Fairs have had
partners-focused programs, academic colloquiums, voice training workshops, discussions with noted authors
and filmmakers, as well as a wide variety of LGBTIQ-related seminars. These programs help not only the trans-person with
their self exploration but also the caring professionals who work with the community. The knowledge and skills
learned at the Fair are then brought back to the homes and businesses of each Fairgoer as well as the local community
centered and support groups each fairgoer is involved with. It is a wonderful "ripple effect."
Scholarships
The Fair organizers recognize that many individuals in the LGBTI community suffer from tremendous financial difficulties that
might make attending Fantasia Fair out of reach. To help, each year several scholarships are awarded to those with a financial
need.
|