Seeking Queer Penpals: Building Community Beyond Bars | Prisoner Correspondence Project

Ever wanted to write to an LGBTQIA2s+ prisoner, but haven't known where to start? For 17 years, the Prisoner Correspondance Projet (PCP) has been working to break the isolation of LGBTQIA2S+ communities inside and outside of prison. As word has spread inside our project has grown, with nearly 3000 inside members currently waiting to be matched with a penpal. At this workshop, you'll get the fast track to becoming a penpal, with a brief introduction to the project and an overview of prison abolition as a whole, as well as advice on writing to an inside penpal. Then, we'll invite participants to look through a selection of bios of prisoners who are waiting to be matched, and find someone they'd like to write to. Participants will leave with more information about LGBTQIA2S+ struggles in prison, practical advice about being a penpal, and a new friend to write to! All are welcome to come and no registration is required.

We will also be selling brand new PCP merch, including t-shirts designed by one of our inside members and stickers! As well as zines covering topics surrounding prison abolition and queer and trans rights. These zines are from the same collection we send to our inside members, creating a great opportunity for participants to not only learn more about these topics but also connect with their new penpal.

As part of the Festival Brûlances.