MAASIN is joining Substack
Check out our new publication on Substack here.
What We’ve Done Together
Five years ago, a small idea grew into a movement. A group of people within the marching arts recognized that the culture of silence, inequity, and harm in our activity was completely avoidable. That conviction and belief is what helped cultivate what we are today: Marching Arts Access, Safety, and Inclusion Network (MAASIN).
Over the years, MAASIN has grown into a community-led organization working to make ensembles safer, more accessible, and more inclusive across DCI, WGI, DCA, and beyond. In just five years, MAASIN has:
Provided March With Pride Scholarships to LGBTQIA+ performers, reducing the financial burden that keeps too many from participating.
Created educational resources and advocacy tools to empower performers and staff to name and resist harmful dynamics.
Offered support networks for individuals navigating harassment, discrimination, or unsafe environments, starting with our Whistleblower Support, then PROSPER Support, and what is now called our Peer Support program.
Built a community of accountability, where important conversations about equity and safety are happening publicly on social media and within circuits in real life.
All of it has been possible because of the people who believe in this work, just like you! So thank you.
Why Substack, and What to Expect
Substack is a platform built for newsletters, articles, and community. Unlike social media, where posts can get buried in algorithms or flagged by moderation systems, Substack sends every post directly to your inbox, just like a standard email newsletter.
Over the past few years, Substack has become a home for independent writers, organizers, and journalists who want to speak directly to their communities without fear of their voices being drowned out or censored.
For us at MAASIN, that direct communication is important. Substack gives us a reliable way to share updates, essays, and reflections with you without worrying about being silenced or hidden by algorithms.
Substack will be MAASIN’s new hub for essays, reflections, and updates. We’ll share stories from scholarship recipients, insights from our committees, and perspectives on what it takes to change an entire culture.
By subscribing to our Substack newsletter, you will:
Stay connected to MAASIN’s ongoing work.
Gain access to thoughtful reflections and resources on safety, equity, and inclusion.
Join a growing network of people committed to transforming our activity for the better.
Why Paid Subscriptions Matter
Paid subscriptions are available, but totally optional to view MAASIN’s content on Substack. We will never put any of our content or resources behind a paywall, but we allow paid subscriptions to be an option as another way to receive donations to be able to sustain the work that we do.
Your support directly funds:
Scholarships that allow LGBTQIA+ performers to march without prohibitive costs.
Educational initiatives that equip our community to recognize and resist harmful practices.
Peer support and advocacy resources for those navigating misconduct or discrimination.
Operational infrastructure that keeps this all-volunteer nonprofit running.
Why Now
Five years of MAASIN is no small milestone. It’s proof that this work matters and that it can endure. By subscribing, whether free or paid, you’re standing with us in the fight to continue to change the marching arts for the better.
We’re proud of what’s been built so far. We’re ready for what comes next, and we’re grateful you’re here with us.
—The MAASIN Team