Bliss and the Trash Plants

10/29/2021

On Tuesday, join the event collaboration with ! 🤗✨
🔵
WE ALL WIN: ART AS SOCIAL JUSTICE

Have you grabbed your tickets yet?

Come hear the stories of some powerful artists, bid on local art, tour the new facilities at , and participate in our community arts project!

Panelists include:







Performances by:



100% of art sales will benefit the artists.
Bid on art by:








Grab your tickets!
https://lnkd.in/dVDip97V

09/28/2021

Gooood morning! I recently learned that I have multiple cysts in my hand after dealing with a lot of pain. I had to go to the doctor on the quick—and even though I was harassed during my appointment, I still gotta pay the medical bills. It’s frustrating and upsetting, but I’m glad to have some answers besides “you have carpal tunnel”. Please share! 💙💙💙💙
• For the algørithm: tell me about something that you do to cheer yourself up! 😍🥰

08/02/2021

Hiiii! I've been working on a pitch to show investors that this program and organization is something important, and to hopefully bring my goals to life!

Between the aftermath of a tornado hitting Nashville in 2020, to the whole country shutting down due to covid—the biggest concern became, "how do we continue to care for ourselves and get the supplies we need?"

It's thrilling to say that nearly 200 grocery and essentials kits were assembled and distributed!! That's all thanks to working as a community! Yaaaay!

I would love to hear back 💚

https://forms.gle/3YZh8CHqjQDHwA8Q6

Hiiii! I've been working on a pitch to show investors that this program and organization is something important, and to hopefully bring my goals to life! Between the aftermath of a tornado hitting Nashville in 2020, to the whole country shutting down due to covid—the biggest concern became, "how d...

08/01/2021

Hiiii! I've been working on a pitch to show investors that this program and organization is something important, and to hopefully bring my goals to life!

Between the aftermath of a tornado hitting Nashville in 2020, to the whole country shutting down due to covid—the biggest concern became, "how do we continue to care for ourselves and get the supplies we need?"

It's thrilling to say that nearly 200 grocery and essentials kits were assembled and distributed!! That's all thanks to working as a community! Yaaaay!

I would love to hear back  💚

Check out my bîo for the spot to send your testimonials.

07/14/2021

Happy ! I am here—I exist. Dedicating these to my abuela 💖 I am coming to terms with the fact that she is getting older and her memories aren’t always so clear. I reached out to the sweet (only a few days before I moved out of state) to assist me on my quest for “abuela-approved” portraits. Nevertheless, very much me—eczema and psoriasis showing, an overbite, all-cheeks, old scars, kitty biscuit-scratches on my shoulders, melanin glowing. Then the clouds and the sun showed ooout that day! 🌤 I cannot waaaait to print these and send to my grandmother. I’m proud of who I am, and I’m proud to be a Cortez.

04/20/2021

URGENT NEED! Two black q***r beings need assistance removing themselves from white oppression in their own homes STAT!

A Black q***r woman (who wishes to remain anon) was assaulted late last year leaving her temporarily disabled. Right now, she cannot work and has had limited mobility.

Recently, her white roommate lashed out (ableist and racist), and she now feels unsafe in her own home and needs to leave immediately. It’s imperative that she has a place to safely navigate and recover.

Thankfully, Black love perseveres and we have the opportunity to move in together! We found the perfect place and need urgent funds to secure housing by end of April.

Deposit is needed by the end of this week (!) Please please share (don’t ask how to help—donate if you can and share share share)

I wanna get my friend out of this situation as well as embrace this home we have the opportunity to exist in together!

Breakdown:
Security Deposit: $1,500
First Month’s Rent: $1,500
Food/ Medical Co-Pays: $350

Please send donations to her new roommate/care team member: Bliss Cortez [they/them]

The link to our crowdfund is posted in bio! Thank you for taking the time to learn more about how you can assist, and please share! :}

Big shoutout to for making us a crowdfunding flyer! If you not familiar with this artist—you shooould 💖💖💖💖

03/25/2021

03/25/2021

03/17/2021

Happy March! I’m so grateful to each and every person who has reached out and brought support to the QTBIPOC community! Every share, like, and repost keeps this project going aaand connecting more wonderful humans!

As some of you may know, I’ve been working for some time on expanding this project out to Atlanta, and will be making that official move at the end of May. Eeeep! ¡Increíble! 🤩 This means that I’m looking for dedicated team to work together and continue the Nashville branch. I will stiiilll be organising this project—never fear! But it’s time to reach out more, call in the cavalry, and build!

If you know of any humans (or non-humans) in Nashville and/or Atlanta who fit that description, please email blissandthetrashplants@gmail.com

I’m also looking for a new home-base for the shed! So let’s scheme! 👏🏾

DONATION IMPORTANT INFO ⬇️
🌿 Only non-perishable donations will be accepted this Saturday the 20th (pantry food staples, menstrual products, hygiene + health products). More helpful donation suggestions can be found in our bio and previous posts!✨
🌿 All donation options will be collected on Saturday the 27th. This includes any food items, plants, perishable goods (with dates about use by and what it contains in it), baked goods, etc.
🌿 You can also drop off menstrual products on the east side! Their drive this month is in support with Bliss and the Trash Plants! If you’re looking for chiropractic care, that spot is my top recommendation! You can also get some extra love and care from when you visit that location! 🥰
🌿 If you want to donate in solidarity with this community, but can’t physically donate we accept mail in donations, and financial donations to purchase goods for these grocery and wellness kits!! All the info you may need is in our bio!
🌿 Want to volunteer to deliver groceries? The sign up doc link will be in our bio!
🌿 Know of a good home for the shed? Reach out!
[this month’s flyer features the late and incredible, Rocky, one of three stray animal friends that became family while I lived in Nashville 💞]

03/16/2021

My heeeaaart!!!!

story by GK Gurley | photos by Bliss The year 2020 highlighted a multitude of racial barriers that exist throughout our society, and food security is a big one. Bliss…

03/16/2021

😭😭😭😭

Big or small, how do you check in with your community? This is such an important question during COVID-19, but it's always been true. On our latest episode, we speak with Bliss Cortez and discuss their mutual aid organization, Bliss and the Trash Plants. Bliss checks in on straight, q***r, and trans black, indigenous, people of color here in Nashville. By being embedded in our community, Bliss has been able to find out what people really need and get it to them.

Listen to our new episode for more! Link in the bio.

***rcommunity ***r ***rnashville

03/16/2021

Ahhh! My interview with Focus Middle Tennessee came out yesterday!! 😭😩😭

story by GK Gurley | photos by Bliss The year 2020 highlighted a multitude of racial barriers that exist throughout our society, and food security is a big one. Bliss…

03/11/2021

“ is BACK with new episodes for 2021, and we're kicking it off with . Bliss Cortez started a mutual aid organization in Nashville called, . They collect food donations and overstock from local gardens, farms, and businesses to build grocery and supply kits for straight, q***r, or trans black, indigenous, people of color struggling with food, housing, and finances.

In our conversation, we learn that it's the community service efforts of churches over the years that have inspired the work Bliss organizes today. This is work that is much needed after such a difficult year in the Nashville area. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.” [link in the bio] 💞

01/25/2021

Hellooo 2021! I’m Bliss Cortez and I am a neurodivergent, nonbinary, black and latinx q***r living with chronic pain and PTSD—and so much love to share. I have lived in Nashville for a little over a decade—quite surprising to realise after moving over sixteen times throughout my childhood and such. I had not intended to stay here so long, but I felt a connection that has taken me a long time to put into words.

Recently, while at therapy (highly recommend to everyone) and while chatting with close beings in my life, some interesting questions and conversations came up: “What is something about you that very few know?” “What is one thing that you secretly wish?” “What has been your biggest challenge recently?”

All of the answers are closely connected. Bliss and the Trash Plants isn’t just a random project. It is based from a very personal place—it was built from every part of me and from the support I didn’t have when I needed it whilst growing up. What most don’t know is that I was raised in a manipulative DV household (check google) that was also relying on the nearby church’s donations to assist with our lack of food security. I was reminded on numerous occasions recently just how crucial support and access to resources can be to help a person out of an unsafe situation.

The intention behind the projects I’ve collaborated on and the ones I’ve gotten to organise, have all been about showing support to a person, household, and/or family as fully as possible as a community! An opportunity I would have very much benefited from as a younger being.

Though I have been on the receiving end of so many microaggressions, blatant racism, homophobia, transphobia, classism, performative allyship, and ignorance—gatekeepers telling me what I do, who I am, my goals are pointless, I have not let them stop me. Nashville has been the worst about that. Nevertheless, I have been told my ideals are “wrong” since I was little. That my goals countered capitalistic beliefs. But I know, as well as other BIPOC know, that our existence wasn’t on anyone’s mind when they created this country.

[continued in comment w/ contact info!] 😘

01/19/2021

Please welcome, Khalila!✨

Hey everyone! My name is Khalila Early-Zald, I have lived in Nashville since I was 3, so since 2000! Rare right! I am a q***r photographer and community worker who has such love for this incredible community. I went to high school at Hillsboro High school, left for college and then came back. Nashville has such a warm place in my heart and when I heard of the work that Bliss was doing with Bliss and the Trash Plants, I had to get involved.

I have been very much into giving back to the community that has nurtured me and raised me, that I felt it was my duty and passion to continue to do community work. I do community outreach and sometimes social media for Bliss and the Trash Plants.

Outside of community work, I love working with radio stations either doing photography or DJing, I love photography, my cat Nemo, and all things soft aesthetic, gardening/cottage core vibes (haha!) I am a pisces sun/libra rising/sagitarrius moon! Just a loving caring soul who cares deeply about everyone and everything around them!

12/27/2020

So many supplies and food went out this week!
Thank you to everyone who participated!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾 Couldn’t have done it without you 💚💚💚

12/16/2020

It’s been a looong year. Let’s end it with taking that extra time to help the community!

There will be two public drop off dates for Bliss and the Trash Plants on 12/12 + 12/19 at Hadley Park from 2 - 4pm cst. Asking folx to plan their donations with a bit more intention this month so that families can stock up for the upcoming cold months. On the 12th, please plan to drop off non-perishables only, and then bring allllll the goods on the 19th! Grocery kits this month will be delivered 12/21-12/22! (delivery volunteers, please apply!)

By asking for donation confirmations ahead of time, we can plan kit contents more efficiently, as well as ensure quick delivery and freshness. Please fill out this form to the best of your ability!

Most importantly — please share these two flyers!

Anyone looking to receive groceries: https://forms.gle/19mhNBsnHU9VD1VQ8

Currently looking for extra delivery drivers, would love to bring on people already vouched for! https://forms.gle/gxg22hqxuBSEA5rh7

Also organising a schedule for the shed build this month! We need supplies and kind beings to help! https://forms.gle/u5eEfwhx7MxLBeYd9

Please sign up for the mailing list to stay updated ( https://mailchi.mp/d34541a11de1/wanna-be-a-trash-planter )

This project is growing and growing—we’re looking for a League of Extraordinary Volunteers! Please email blissandthetrashplants@gmail.com about yourself, your intentions and goals, what you’re good at doing, and what you LIKE to do. We are here to support your creativity and passions!

💚