The Board
Scott Kraske (Kay) / Toaster
Chair, He/Him
Founder, Queerburners in 2008 long before it went legit by becoming a non-profit with the Board. Burner Resume:
- Producer: ALL OF US 2017 & 2018
- Producer: Spring Retreat 2015 & 2016
- Producer: Queer Burner Leadership Summit 2013, 2014, 2018
- Producer: Rainbow Leadership Series 2022
- Producer: Forgotten City 2011 (official)
- Official Logo: Dark Skies 2009 (official)
- BM Art for Playa 2011, 2012, 2013
- BM Cultural Direction Setting Phase 2 Team 8 2020
- BM Global Leadership attendee: 2011 to 2017
- Admin: San Francisco Burners Facebook
- Admin: BMTCO Group on Facebook
- Theme Camp Creator and Producer: 2012 to 2019
- Black Rock Ranger 2022
I came across Burning Man and it shook my life. I swear it was during my mid-life crisis which might still be going on. Because it shook me to the core. I started exploring new ideas about my own life and the things I could do and accomplish.
Queerburners Committees
- Events, Finance, Communications, RIDE
Links:
Matt McCabe
Co-Chair, He/Him/They
Burner Resume:
- Mayor, Land of Monkey Theme Camp 2020 & 2021
- Theme Camp Lead 2017, 2018, 2019
Matt has been burning since 2016.
Queerburners Committees:
- Communications, Finance, RIDE, Fundraising / Grants
Links:
Kurt Gibson / Starduster
Events Director, He/Him
Burner Resume:
- Comfort & Joy Theme Camp 2018 & 2019, 2022
- Land of MonkeyTheme Camp 2017
- Sun Guardians Theme Camp 2015 & 2016
- Burning Man 2012-2019
- Black Rock Ranger 2015-2019
- Saguaro Man 2015, Ranger
- IgNight Flow Conference 2015, Ranger
- Burning Man Global Leadership Conference 2016-2017, volunteer
- Burning Man Decompression 2015-2019 Ranger
- Burning Man ARTumnal 2015-2018 volunteer
- Comfort & Joy Touch and AfterGlow art/production volunteer 2014-2020
Queerburners Committees:
- Events, Communications, RIDE
As a native Californian, a long-time San Franciscan, a gay man, a third-world traveler, and retired humanitarian worker, the fundamental ethos of the ten principles resonated deeply within me from the first moment I read them online. My first burn was in 2012 and since then I have I developed deeper connections within the Burning Man community thru my involvement with the Black Rock Rangers (2015 to 2019), theme camps, volunteering at numerous local & regional events, and with the Queer Burner community.
Link:
Community Successes:
- Envision Music Festival 2017-2018, Costa Rica, Security Assistant Lead/Interpreter
- AIDS Lifecycle 2014 rider
- SF Pride 2005-2015 volunteer (Project Open Hand)
- Folsom Street Events 2007-2019, event volunteer
- Castro Street Fair 2010-2014 gate volunteer
- Gay4Good 2015-2020 volunteer
- Billy Foundation 2015-2021
Ruth Etcheverria / Terror
Clerk, She/Her/They
Burner Resume:
- Nordic Camp, 2018
- Church of the Open Mind, 2019
Queerburners Committees:
- RIDE, Special Project Managing Docs & Records
My passion for the Burning Man community stems from the sense of peace, shared existence, and personal expression that I felt in Black Rock City. In the default world I have always experienced challenges in externally representing myself how I feel internally and having the sense of safety and acceptance to interact with unknown people (...introvert here!). Burning Man provided me with a space where I grew in my sense of self, and experienced radical love, acceptance, and expression. With this impact on my life, I want to involve myself in the Burning Man community year-round to support the growth of like spaces centered around intentional actions building diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2018 and 2019 I was fortunate enough to ride my motorcycle to Burning Man. I am a public school teacher with a grounding in critical pedagogy. Over my years teaching I have led seminars on queer inclusive education at the district level, acted as a founding member of my district's equity committee, and completed an MA in Human Rights Education (focusing upon queer experiences).
Sara Pugh / Red Bird Bean
Special Projects, She/Her
Grants Committee Lead
Burner Resume:
- Land Of Monkey Theme Camp 2018 to 2021
- Celestial Bodies, Accelerant Events - Virtual Support 2020
- HeadCount
- Earth Charter Indiana
- Burning Man's Vitural Experience Support Service Team (VEST)
- BRCvr Events Team
Queerburners Committees:
- Communications, Finance, Budgeting
I became involved with the Burning Man community in 2018 as a member of the Land of Monkey Camp usually in the 7:30 sector. In 2020 I joined the virtual events team for Celestial Bodies' monthly Accelerant events. I enjoy working on efforts that support and build our community and am currently also volunteering with Virtual Experience Support Services Team, BWB Green Theme Camp Power Team, and BRCvr Events Team.
Links:
- HeadCount, Earth Charter Indiana, Burning Man's Vitural Experience Support Service Team (VEST), BRCvr, and Co-Reality Collective
Dao Phong, Daoie, Queen Kat (QK, Q, K... whatevers, lol)
Special Projects, She/Her
Queerburners Committees:
- Communications
- Events
My first year was in 2018. I went solo to the playa and camped at site L. I went again in 2019, this time I stayed with Central Camp or Black Ice with my ex-partner. Then finally, I attended Renegade in 2021.
Links:
Ron Brey
Treasurer, He/Him
Burner Resume:
- Burner Buddies, 6 years
Queerburners Committees:
- Finance
Links:
I have been in the Burner Buddies camp for five years.. I volunteered to help set up camp, assist with Gay Pride event, and worked the Pick-up window at the Burner Buddies Drive Thru.
Joel Spolsky
Web Manager & General IT Nerd, He/Him
Burner Resume:
- Gay Turtles Theme Camp Founder, 2018 & 2019
Queerburners Committees:
- Communications
A mostly retired programmer and startup person, Joel was the founder of Stack Overflow, Trello, Fog Creek, and Glitch. Today he works on LED art and volunteer projects involving Burning Man.