Queerly ME’s
Origin Story
Queerly ME—pronounced Queerly “Me” (mee /mi/)—was founded in response to hundreds of community conversations held by Kyle Warnock, Queerly ME’s current Executive Director, as he embarked on a photo-documentary project in 2020. In an effort to archive moments in the lives of LGBTQIA+ people in Maine during the height of the pandemic, he recognized a pattern of issues many community members faced in addition to COVID-19:
Chronic isolation and loneliness, resource scarcity, and a lack of affirming outdoor spaces.
In 2021, Kyle began to organize informal camping trips for LGBTQIA+ people in Maine under “Queers of Greater Portland”. Through these trips and ongoing photo-documentary features, LGBTQIA+ people from all across Maine got outdoors, shared more resources with each other, and gained a stronger sense of community.
In 2022, Kyle began his first program partnership with Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust, bringing inclusive, conversation-driven LGBTQIA+ walks and outdoor workshops to the Midcoast. By the end of the year, “Queers of Greater Portland” became “Queerly ME”—an acknowledgement that Queer people are everywhere in Maine, and just as deserving of recognition, resources, and community spaces.
Queerly ME has been a 501(c)3 nonprofit since May 2022.
Baxter State Park camping trip, 2021.
Kyle photographing a photo-documentary participant,2021. Credit: Troy R. Bennett / BDN.
In 2023, Queerly ME served 170 participants between 13 outdoor programs in 5 counties.
Trail Mixer participants on a BTLT trail, 2023.
In 2024, Queerly ME served 500 participants between 25 outdoor programs in 7 counties.
In 2025, Queerly ME served 1,159 participants between 40 outdoor programs in 16 counties.
In 2026, Queerly ME is offering at least two programs per county with an emphasis on rural and underserved regions of Maine.
"“Queerly ME helps me feel a lot less alone and a lot more connected. It provides a safe space to be 100% me that I don't feel in my everyday life. I often leave QME events (particularly overnight ones) remarking that I wish all of society was like this.”
Program Participant Testimonials
"As a queer person I had to move away from a rural backwoods area for my safety. So many of us had to seek like minded companionship and queer culture in a city environment. In doing so we've had to give up connection to the natural environment. I deeply appreciate how Queerly ME has helped me to reclaim my connection with nature and helped cement my queer relationships in a natural environment."
"I've loved every QueerlyME event I’ve attended. The inclusive and affirming events get me outside and have really helped me feel more in community during a time in my life where I have really needed connection.”
“Queerly ME has really helped me build a community of people who genuinely care for and support me. Being disabled as a teenager I never had many friends or ones who stuck around for the hard times. I moved here in June and the community I have found is amazing! I feel like I have found real connections and people I can count on through whatever life throws at me.”
“QueerlyME events helped me expand my network, community, and feeling of belonging here. It has been so easy to connect with others in the spaces thoughtfully created by QueerlyME. I now see friendly faces at events and in my town and found some fellow board games enthusiasts to spend the long winters with!”
“Queerly ME's programming was and continues to be, essential to building my queer community. I was able to connect with adults with a similar experience to mine and forge strong friendships at a time in my life when I needed to embrace and be embraced by queer joy and strength.”
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