While the landscape for LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. becomes increasingly hostile with over 400 active anti-trans bills across 43 states and an anti-trans executive order, Dorchester’s LGBTQ+ community is taking action by creating safe spaces. One group is DotOUT, a local nonprofit that advocates for anti-discrimination legislation and partners with community organizations like food banks and youth groups. 

“I think there’s an anxiety out there…people are maybe struggling individually. Particularly people that don’t have strong support circles,” said Chris McCoy, DotOUT’s president since 2011. “That’s why I think there’ll be an important piece to local, small, grassroots organizations.”

DotOUTs mission, he said, is centered around civic engagement. The organization strives to strengthen community relationships with LGBTQ+ people in Dorchester and bolster a neighborhood that celebrates and honors diversity for all. DotOUT partners with an organization called DotHouse Health, an affiliate of Boston Medical Center, working with medical staff and trainers “to build awareness around gender identity and the approach to LGBTQ care that’s beyond just taking care of a patient but interacting with people in a way that is respectful and inclusive.”

DotOUT’s emphasis on building local relationships and partnerships reflects the strength and impact that local organizations can have within a neighborhood. Starting this month, DotOUT is partnering with Just Bookish on Dorchester Avenue to host a series called “DotStories.” The storytelling series aims to celebrate diverse narratives in Dorchester and help participants find their voice.

“It really kind of brings you to that point of: This is how you’re affecting change,” McCoy said. “It’s about literally what effects you can have locally on real people.”

Support for queer people takes many forms in Dorchester. Sometimes it’s about organizing and community collaboration, and sometimes it’s just about providing a safe space for queer people to enjoy. “Planning With a Scorpio,” an event company founded by Rachel Gaudet, focuses on amplifying queer voices and fostering joy within the community with events like the “Valentine’s Gay!” vendor market at Dorchester Brewing Company. 

“Especially right now, the more we can just curate these spaces in queer joy, the better,” Gaudet said. The “Planning With A Scorpio” Feb. 8 vendor market was the queer-owned organization’s second annual “Valentines Gay!” event at Dorchester Brewing Company.

“We had a lot of folks saying they specifically came because they wanted to be in a queer space right now, and they want to support queer makers right now.”

Natalie Boucher, the owner of Noot Creations, was one of the vendors at the event. For them, queer pop-ups are an opportunity to share their identity in a way that is both visible and fun.

“All my stuff is very colorful and sparkly,” they said. “There’s a lot of different ways to express your queer aesthetic, and for me, it’s like rainbows and glitter.”

Organizations like DotOUT and events like “Valentine’s Gay” strive to solidify the relationship between queer people and the broader Dorchester community in a way that benefits everybody. 

“That community connection is really important for longevity for these brands, and also just for communities to really see, ‘Oh, I actually can get so many things I want from local businesses,’” Gaudet said.

Boucher added: “It’s a nice way to not only meet other people, but meet other queer artists that are like-minded,” Boucher said. 

For them, creating art can be both a form of joy and resistance. 

“I think art is always very political…it’s a great medium for rebellion,” they said. “Even if it’s just getting a patch to put on your jacket or a sticker to put on your water bottle…it’s just a little way to signal to people that you’re part of their community and that you’re there for them.”

McCoy said that the best way to support the queer community is to show up. 

“You’ve got to get involved,” McCoy said. “Join something and participate and provide support to each other…if we affect change and support each other, I think there’s a future to be had.”

Queer spaces and celebrations will continue in Dorchester and the Boston area. Queer residents and allies alike can see DotOUT’s float in the annual Dorchester Day Parade on June 8, attend the DotStories series at justBookish on the third Thursday of every month or join the DotOUT organization to get involved. Planning with a Scorpio is hosting a monthly popup “Spring is Queer” series at the Time Out Market in Fenway.