Hello- Thank you for visiting my fundraising page and considering a donation to Pony Sweat for Transhealth!
The main event will happen this Saturday 8/9 in Northampton's Look Park, as I join fellow Ponies in two hours of fiercely non-competitive dance aerobics to celebrate and fundraise for our community partners at Transhealth.
Please consider sponsoring me for one or both of the hours. All donations go to Transhealth. No gift is too small, a suggested donation amount is $5 per pony sweat hour (a $10 gift total).
Suporting my trans family means, to me, contributing to world where joy, nonjudgment, happiness, inclusivity, love and respect are available for all members.
Transhealth in Western Massachusetts provides compassionate healthcare to members and families in the trans and gender-diverse community, both in-person and virtually. This care, as you may know, not only improves but also saves many lives!
Transhealth's vision, "transforming the world so that trans and gender-diverse individuals are empowered and celebrated" has been made difficult, especially in the past few years, with increased legislative targets on care (for 2023 update, "566 bills, 49 states, 83 passed, 358 active, 125 failed" -https://translegislation.com/) and misinformed conceptions being perpetuated without space for refutation. This is why the time to join in supporting Transhealth is now, by making a donation of any amount, toward the empowerment and strengthening of community for all of us.
Pony Sweat For Transhealth
***PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO FORECASTED THUNDERSTORMS THE EVENT HAS BEEN MOVED INSIDE TO THE PARLOR ROOM AT 32 MASONIC ST, NORTHAMPTON, MA 01060. ***
PONY SWEAT FOR TRANSHEALTH
Dig out those neon tights and leg warmers and get ready to dress in your 80’s aerobic best because it’s time to Pony Sweat for Transhealth! Let’s go!
On Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 12 noon – 2 p.m. EST National Pony Sweat will be leading a FREE and fiercely non-competitive dance aerobics class for Transhealth to raise awareness and funds to expand access to gender-affirming care and impact policies that protect the rights of trans and gender-diverse people. This positively tubular event will be held at THE PARLOR ROOM at 32 Masonic St, Northampton, MA 01060, and will be live-streamed nationally and around the globe.
Pony Sweat is a nationally acclaimed dance aerobics practice that celebrates anti-perfectionism and radical self-acceptance with the goal of cultivating freedom of movement and thought, to take care of ourselves and to take care of each other. Come as you are, all ways, always!
Our goal is to raise $50,000, and with your support, we know we can do it! At the event you will Pony Sweat alongside hundreds of Ponies (Supporters), with aerobics moves led by some of your favorite local celebrities, including Senator Jo Comerford, Representative Lindsay Sabadosa, and Tara Brewster from People's Bank! Whether you come to the free event, give a one-time donation, fundraise as an individual or fundraise as part of a team, your dedication will be rewarded with fun, joy, and the satisfaction of knowing that you made a significant impact on our community.
CALLING ALL PONIES!
There are lots of ways that our Supporters (AKA Ponies) can participate and make an impact!
Register to participate in our FREE Pony Sweat event:
- Dress up in your 80’s best and join Pony Sweat on Saturday, September 9th from noon – 2pm EST at the Parlor Room. This event is free! Register to attend Now!
- Parking: Although the event is free you will have to pay for parking in downtown Northampton.
- Or you can participate via live stream online(choose $0 is you've already made a donation or want to participate for free)! Need help signing up for the live stream? Watch this video.
Give a donation:
- Give a donation in any amount to support Transhealth and join Pony Sweat on Saturday September 9th! Every dollar contributed makes a difference!
- Ponies are encouraged to come dressed in their 80’s aerobic best!
Fundraise as an Individual:
- Set a fundraising goal and go for it! A suggested fundraising minimum of $500 or more is encouraged to join Pony Sweat on Saturday September 9th but we want EVERYONE to move - no matter how much is raised. Every dollar you raise makes a difference..All ages are encouraged to participate!
- Ponies are encouraged to come dressed in their 80’s aerobic best!
Create a Fundraising Team:
- Get a group of Ponies together and set a fundraising goal! A suggested fundraising minimum of $1,000 or more per team is encouraged to join Pony Sweat on Saturday September 9th but we want EVERYONE to participate- no matter how much is raised. Every dollar you raise makes a difference.
- Teams are defined as two or more people fundraising together.All ages are encouraged to participate!
- Ponies are encouraged to come dressed in their 80’s aerobic best!
Become a Virtual Pony:
Can't Pony Sweat in person on September 9th? Become a virtual pony and raise funds online to support Pony Sweat for Transhealth or create a pop up Pony Sweat event in your backyard, neighborhood, or at your school! There is no suggested fundraising minimum to be a virtual participant! Your enthusiasm is appreciated!
What is Pony Sweat?
Pony Sweat is a fiercely noncompetitive dance aerobics celebration from Los Angeles. It’s a high-energy (or whatever energy you’re at) exercise experience that feels like dancing in your bedroom to music from a favorite mixtape. Pony Sweat is a practice in anti-perfectionism and radical self-acceptance with the goal of cultivating freedom of movement and thought.
From its inception, Pony Sweat has been a practice in showing up however we are and “Fucking The Moves,” and in taking care of ourselves and supporting each other. “Pony Sweat,” says founder Emilia Richeson-Valiente, “is not about looking cool or put-together or doing anything perfectly. It’s about learning to trust in your body and practicing radical self-love. It’s about expanding a circle of friends, growing community, and knowing that whoever or wherever you are, you are not alone.”
There will always be a need for spaces that cultivate bravery and courage-to-try, and spaces to explore expression in movement, spaces to get messy, and spaces to practice using our bodies and our voices without judgement. Pony Sweat is so proud to offer this space to the thousands of Ponies that have connected to it over the years. Come as you are, all ways, always!
Mission:
Transhealth is an independent and comprehensive healthcare center that supports and empowers trans and gender-diverse individuals and families.
Throughout our history as a community, trans and gender-diverse people have looked to each other for healing, support, and affirmation. Transhealth honors that by serving as a source of hope and showing what good gender-affirming healthcare looks like.
As a trans-led organization rooted in Western Massachusetts, we are expanding the healthcare possibilities for our community. Through expert care, education, research, and advocacy, we work to secure a healthy, affirming future for all of us.
Vision:
We are transforming the world so that trans and gender-diverse individuals are empowered and celebrated as they work with an affirming team to own their healthcare journey.