South Jersey Organization Feature : Queer Headed
SJCA is pleased to highlight, Queer Headed (QH), a 501(c)(3) that provides sober community events, support, and resources to LGBTQIA+ individuals facing adversity from their queer and sober intersection. QH is a deliberate building of community that provides inclusive social events for Atlantic County and South Jersey residents. Atlantic County is unintentionally cis-gendered/heteronormative; lacking a maintained queer and sober community. There is a lack of tangible support for this intersection which causes distress. QH seeks to reduce this distress leading to relapse prevention. QH is for the queer newcomer, the already recovering queer individual who has approached meaninglessness in their recovery, the treatment providers with queer clients, the family members who have queer children, and anyone who is interested in a queer and sober experience. Allies are welcome! Queer Headed provides monthly social events that create continuous and maintained inclusive fellowship in our own backyard. The purpose is effectiveness without long transport and reducing financial hardship in doing so. QH also seeks to provide identified queer and recovering individuals with help when asked for support. QH further provides hygienics and clothing to local sober living providers as a way to make a recovering person's transition more comfortable. We believe in the sustainability of a culture that is unapologetically queer, chemical free, and local.
Can you tell us about the team behind Queer Headed?
Mark from QH: QH consists of three board members being Demetrios Papiannou known as “Meech” (any pronouns), Aj Plat (She/They), and Mark Heffernan (He/They). All of QH’ members are queer and in recovery from substance abuse. Collectively the team has over ten years of continuous sobriety and live locally in Atlantic County, NJ.
Image Courtesy of the organization, Queer Headed.
Can you tell us about the importance of providing Queer and Sober community events?
Mark from QH: Recovery in general demands community connection to prevent relapse. Unfortunately the queer and sober intersection does not have the same access to inclusivity the way the synonymous cis-gendered/heteronormative community does. Self-fulling stigmatization has a lot to do with it as well. For example, many queer people feel urged to substance abuse as a way to own their queerness, lessen insecurity stemming from internalized homophobia/transphobia, and believing this is the way to navigate their LGBTQIA+ lifestyle.
Image Courtesy of the organization, Queer Headed.
What advice do you have for young LGBTQ+ folks in South Jersey?
Mark from QH: It gets better! Regardless of intersectionality, navigating being queer is tough. Create the fellowship you crave and learn to accept yourself through others who are willing to hold you. Being queer can feel like a curse at times and that doesn't mean that you deserve to suffer.
SJCA would like to thank the team at Queer Headed for their participation in our Organization Feature this month! You can learn more about Queer Headed and any upcoming events on IG and Facebook!
