ROAR (Rainbow Organizing and Response) is a volunteer organization, committed to advocacy and support for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals, communities and events.
We use creative strategies and the principles of non-engagement to provide a visible presence at public events, where we help create a welcoming and celebratory environment while shielding people from any hate present.
Our grassroots organizing extends beyond event-based work. We build community from which we strategize and mobilize to reduce fear, support visibility and amplify the needs and voices of marginalized people.
If you would like to request ROAR support for something you are organizing or consider becoming a volunteer please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/gJGBq4xueWeLg1RQ9
ROAR Founder/Director Ali Wicks-Lim
Ali’s Bio here
What keeps you coming back to Chorus?
“A community that not only accepts me at my skill level but celebrates me.”
“The vibe in the room, the knowledge that I can show up how ever I am and folks will be happy to see me, that if I'm not there folks notice and express concern, the music that we pick, Mara's goofy, playful energy, the way this swiftly growing community already cares so much about each other...like clearly there are some folks who know each other better than they know other folks but it doesn't feel clicky which is such a f*cking relief for someone with pretty intense social anxiety.”
“I love how fun and low pressure it is, I love the community atmosphere, and it's an easy way to keep art in my life! I've never been confident singing before and this has been an amazing way to do it more.”
“It was everything that drew me to the chorus and more than I could have ever thought. I have family now. Didn't think I'd ever want to be in a chorus, but now I'm obsessed.”
*The Queer Joy Chorus grew out of NCMC Pride Chorus members who share a dream to bring more Queer Joy to Western Mass and beyond through partnerships, performances, and mutual aid. The Queer Joy Chorus exists as an example of NCMC’s accomplished incubation of important and timely community programming. In a material demonstration of our support for NCMC’s programming, the QJC will be donating a percentage of the proceeds from performance and merchandise sales to help support other NCMC programming this year in a show of both material and symbolic gratitude.