I have an exciting event that I hope gets your attention!

Our new website is up and functioning. www.queerspirit.org

We are hosting our third Queer Spirit Retreat September 7-9, 2007 in Spring City
Utah. We
are associated with a Non Profit organization that seeks to bring men together
in a
affirmative manner exploring who we are in the queer context. We are seeing
queer men
come together in remarkable and beautiful ways.

We would encourage you to check out the website and consider participating in
our next
retreat September 7-9, 2007

Below is a brief description of what we are about and why we would want you to
join us.

Jerry

About Queer Spirit:

Queer Spirit is about ALTERNATIVES
Queer Spirit is about COMMUNITY
Queer Spirit is about NEW EXPEREINCES
Queer Spirit is about DIGGING DEEP.
Queer Spirit is about FINDING new gifts, talents, perspectives and
self-confidence.
Queer Spirit is about finding a HOLISTIC approach to life.
Queer Spirit is about INTIMATE SHARING
Queer Spirit is about RITUAL to release, Open up, Expand And Create
Queer Spirit is about NEW Agreements and Understandings (new Stories)
Queer Spirit is about LAUGHTER
Queer Spirit is about JOY
Queer Spirit is about Celebrating
Queer Spirit is about CREATING a safe place for everyone.

Queer Spirit is about finding the QUEER SELF and integrating this into our lives
with pride,
honor and confidence!

Each Queer Spirit Retreat is a unique experience, as unique and profound as the
individuals who attend. What follows the retreat is the opportunity to continue
the work
we establish at the retreat. We hold the retreat at Windwalker Ranch where we
enter nature
and meditative settings, where as a group or tribe of men we can gather together
to
facilitate the safety and security of each other. This retreat allows for
intimate time in our
sharing, communications and processes with each other.

As people develop interest in the retreat we establish times and opportunities
for the
participants to get together prior to the retreat, to introduce themselves and
begin
"breaking the ice" to facilitate relationships that will encourage a more open
process
between participants. Our eventual goal prior and after the retreat is to
create a
community of gay men who support each other on many levels that are often not
found in
current social venues in the community. We found in April 2007 that this worked
best and
elevated the process of "getting to know each other" and allowed for an
established sense
of trust. At least monthly we have gotten together to share food, experiences
and
encouragement as well as laughter and good stories. Participation is not
mandatory in
these gatherings but a helpful option in getting to know each other. Dates for
these
gatherings are established on the Queer Spirit Blog and currently include
experiential
sessions on Meditation and Relaxation, Sweat Lodge Ceremonies, Yoga, Pipe
Ceremonies,
and Body Sensual Workshops. As we establish ourselves there are guest lecturers
we
anticipate bringing to SLC to discuss the issues of Queer Spirituality. The
goal is to create
a community of queer brothers who are there to share and witness each other in a
supportive manner under many circumstances.

The retreat itself includes establishing a sacred place to do our work. We find
that
ceremony and ritual can be a powerful way to create intention and focus as we
begin this
weekend. Not all retreats are the same; the discussions and processes vary
according to
the participants. We like to gather on Friday afternoon at Windwalker Ranch,
which in and
of itself is a beautiful experience as we connect with the land. Windwalker is
an
established Dude Ranch in Spring City Utah with modern facilities including
beds, showers,
linens and great country food while still being in the middle of an ancient
cedar forest.
Those who attend Windwalker immediately notice the special nature of this
retreat center.
On Friday evening we have made arrangements to enjoy the beautiful star filled
night and
dance with the Bon Fire, a fire we use to release and let go of stories of
shame, doubt, fear
or anything else that binds/restricts us. We create the sacred fire to release
the issues and
inhibitions that domesticate our thinking and the expressions of who we are.
This fire will
be fun, meditative and invigorating. It is not uncommon for someone to bring a
guitar or
for a cowboy singer/poet to show up and share his talent.

Saturday we spend time in circle (Heart Circle for those familiar with the
process). In this
circle we share what brings us here, witness and support others and explore
options in our
story. We examine what it means to be Queer, we unfold what we desire for
ourselves and
we consider possibilities.

Some of our day will be spent hiking to places on the land known to enhance our
ability to
open to visions; we will participate in guided meditations and possibilities.
We will spend
amble time discussing the ritual and facets of the Native American Sweat Lodge
and how
this ceremony will increase our opportunity for growth and healing.

Sunday we will spend time processing the experience of the weekend and the many
new
discoveries we have enjoyed, planning for the future to keep the process moving
from the
retreat.

There will be time for smaller group activities such as hiking, horseback riding
(additional
fees), swimming, and optional activities.

Each morning we engage in Yoga for all capacities and capabilities, using the
Yoga and
Movement of our bodies as a vehicle to reaching deeper parts of ourselves and
opening
ourselves to possibilities.

This is a brief outline of what can be; we look to participants for input in
what they are
looking for. Our goal: Increasing our sense of identity, appreciation and
celebration as
gay men with purpose and pride, we access who and what we are.

www.QueerSpirit.org

We are conducting fundraising events to see if we can generate partial
scholarships for
those that might qualify. Please inquire through e mail.