It’s officially been two weeks since we launched our fundraiser, and the response from y’all has been overwhelmingly touching. You really care. You cared so hard we that we got past $100,000 this week! You’ve made each of us tear up privately while working from home, freak out in Autostraddle Slack, or send a celebratory GIF into the middle of our digital office at least once — all that is to say, we think about you all the time, and we just can’t believe we’re so lucky to be here with you, working and making this gay place happen for you.
Not only is it looking like we’ll make it through the end of the year, but that also means we’ll be able to continue to improve this digital home for lesbians and bisexuals and queers you love. This past week, Autostraddle team writers Drew Gregory and Christina Tucker spoke to their hopes for and love of Autostraddle. Senior Writer Heather Hogan wrote about what it’s meant to be supported by you, our community in this time; we celebrated Straight People Day of all things, and soon, you’ll hear from Carmen about her plans for what’s next. This fundraiser has meant the survival of independent queer media during a time of unprecedented uncertainty, but it has also meant that we’re setting our leaders and our team up to absolutely CRUSH our goals through the end of the year. That matters, too! We want to see Autostraddle survive & thrive.
67% of gifts to this fundraiser are $25 or less and we’ve gotten a number of $5 contributions. That’s what Autostraddle is about. We’re a community where everybody pitches in what they can. Thank you for doing what you can to support, thank you for telling straights to support, for tweeting and forwarding emails and telling friends and swooning over perks. We’re so close to being able to resume “normal” programming, and I hope that you’ll help us push through to the end.
Another thing brightening our days are the re-tweets we’re getting from you. My heart bursts to see our community in action, working to spread the word about this fundraiser. Lemme share that joy with you for a minute right now.
For ONE it was Rachel Kincaid’s birthday yesterday and so here is her tweet:
🥳 made it to 32! 🥳 thank u to everyone who’s already made me feel v loved and happy 2 to be born!
if you’re able, I would love nothing more than for u to donate to @autostraddle, & @thatkamala & @carmencitaloves’s vision I can’t wait to be part of 😌https://t.co/2W0gXI3UKM pic.twitter.com/YOAhPUMGPU
Speaking of birthdays, which takes me to natal charts, which takes me to Chani Nicholas, thank you Chani for the shout out!!
GODDESS BLESS AND PROTECT @autostraddle WE NEED ALL THE QUEER MEDIA WE CAN GET! Please send fundraising love and retweets!!! https://t.co/yTliPwJjLG
We loved this bit of encouragement today!
https://t.co/pb7yB8G3Sr pic.twitter.com/8A9KOJFvh7
— natthedem (@natthedem) August 18, 2020
And ALL OF THESE:
Renewed my @autostraddle A+ membership for all the baby t-ball dykes to come. I was out & over 20 when I found you & have loved watching you grow- lesbian and bi and trans and ace + representation I couldn’t have imagined as a little tomboy. Thank you Autostraddle- happy to help pic.twitter.com/Ntze11zTxY
— Lucky Sid (@luckysidfloral) August 18, 2020
I met my partner of 9 years because of Autostraddle. I met two of our closests friends because of Autostraddle. I’m Happy to donate to support independent Queer Media. Thank you @autostraddle https://t.co/4OauS558xI
— Sam (@soapboxx) August 10, 2020
I’ve used Autostraddle as a resource so many times over the years of discovering my queerness. Happy to chip in. https://t.co/z7cBHDdH4D
— Kate Toone (@kate_toone) August 10, 2020
Queer media by Queer people is so important yet way to scarce. Support if you can. https://t.co/FKx3QTa0BF
— Ray (@rayofsomething) August 10, 2020
.@autostraddle helped give me a voice when I needed it most—as they do for myriad others. Their editorial team and the work they do is unparalleled. Supporting them means supporting so much more. https://t.co/cHfxmK8Ivr
— A Jew named JE Reich screaming BLACK LIVES MATTER (@jereichwrites) August 15, 2020
And we were so grateful for these shout outs!Every little bit counts. I couldn’t donate much, but I gave a little. I hope you can, too. https://t.co/nJZWBLg8f3
— Monica, with 100% fewer demon bees (@lesbiyinzer) August 15, 2020
Please support @autostraddle https://t.co/NOB1z0SZrO
— Tanya Saracho (@TanyaSaracho) August 14, 2020
We love @autostraddle We think they do excellent work and give voice to so many important stories, points of view and topics that relate to LGBTQ+ women. There aren't many sites that do. Please consider supporting them. https://t.co/gljYINRHmZ
— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) August 14, 2020
I've done an assload of interviews about "how to save (queer) media" and my answer, in part, is always the same:
— Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) August 12, 2020
"Subscribe. Pay for the news you like by the journalists you love."
I added @19thnews & @autostraddle to my monthly subscriptions today.
This is just SOME of the support we’ve been seeing from you, our community. We’re proud to know you and to work every day for you. We’re almost there. Will you drive us home?
Just a quick question – If I buy a shirt on the fundraising page, goes this towards the fundraising amount as well?
Yes, that’s right! Which one are you getting? :D
I’m a big fan of the classic “You do you”-shirt and just ordered one! :)
Well done you guys! So happy you reached your goal! Autostraddle is a fantastic resource for the community