The Twin Cities is home to a vibrant LGBTQ+ community, but there has long been a need for a space to gather, find support, and build meaningful connections outside the bar scene. Queermunity, a new hybrid social enterprise and resource center that opened on Nov. 9, is filling that gap.
Founded by business and life partners Hilary Otey and Kayla Barth, Queermunity is a community-driven initiative born out of the desire to create something that has often felt elusive in the Twin Cities: a dedicated, all-encompassing space where queer folks of all backgrounds and identities can feel safe, supported, and inspired.
The space is not just another community center. It’s a unique blend of a social club and resource hub that aims to address the intersection of social isolation, economic disparity, and community fragmentation that many LGBTQ+ individuals face.
Queermunity was in the works for more than four years and is the product of ceaseless community engagement. Otey and Barth were driven by their struggles to find authentic community connections outside nightlife spaces.
As they dug deeper into the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, they realized that while many organizations exist in the city, there is a lack of cohesion among them. Existing spaces often were geared toward specific groups or activities, leaving people feeling disconnected.
“We saw the fragmentation in our community and wanted to create something that could unite all these different people together under one roof,” said Barth, a mixed-race queer woman and military veteran who knows firsthand the challenges of navigating multiple layers of marginalization.
Otey, who has a background in food justice and advocacy for BIPOC farmers, echoed Barth’s sentiments. “For us, this isn’t just about providing a space to exist; it’s about creating a space where we can thrive, heal, and grow together. We offer economic and social accessibility.”
Financial sustainability is one of the biggest challenges facing many LGBTQ+ organizations. The nonprofit model relies heavily on donations and grants, which can be unpredictable and, at times, insufficient. Queermunity’s founders know these limitations and have opted for a hybrid model combining revenue-generating services with their community-building mission.
Through its full-service café, memberships, rentable meeting rooms, and coworking spaces, Queermunity generates the income needed to stay open seven days a week without solely depending on charitable donations. This allows them to offer their programming, from creative workshops and social events to resource navigation and wellness initiatives, for free or at a low cost.
“While we are for-profit, we’re 100% community-funded. That’s the sustaining force of the space,” said Seth Anderson-Matz, Queermunity’s outreach and partnerships manager. “The membership model we integrated helps us fund our initiatives, but it’s not a transactional relationship. This is mutually beneficial, and we are serious about pouring back into our community.”
At the heart of Queermunity’s mission is inclusivity and accessibility, designed with sensitivity to the needs of people from diverse backgrounds, identities, and abilities. From sensory rooms for those with neurodivergent needs to the on-demand American Sign Language translation services, the team ensures that the space caters to a wide range of needs.
“Access is always at the forefront,” said Kyra Crawford Calvert, the center’s events and programs curator. Queermunity is committed to fostering an environment of empathy and non-judgment. Staff received a large number of requests for a sober space, so despite having a liquor license, Thursdays are alcohol-free each week.
Queermunity’s vision extends far beyond its physical space. As the LGBTQ+ community faces increasing challenges—especially in light of rising anti-LGBTQ+ legislation nationwide—the need for collective action and solidarity has never been greater. Otey and Barth see Queermunity’s role as one of resilience in the face of adversity.
“We are queer and. One label does not define any person,” Barth said. We are queer and Black. Queer and veterans. Queer and human. We are, and we deserve the freedom to be.”
Crawford Calvert added: “We will stubbornly push forward with the mission. We won’t be detracted or distracted. Our role in this is to be defiant and keep creating a safe space for those who need it.”
Queermunity also serves as a hub for intersectional identity. It actively works with marginalized groups — particularly BIPOC and neurodivergent individuals — and strives to ensure that its offerings reflect the diverse needs of the community. Its “Makers Market” highlights the merchandise of local artists and entrepreneurs, many of whom are queer and people of color.
Queermunity is in the process of expanding partnerships with organizations that serve queer youth, elders, and those living with HIV. “There are so many different queer organizations and spaces, but they are all so disjointed from each other,” said Anderson-Matz.
“Queermunity serves to be the connective tissue that offers all of those different organizations to come together with the collective missions of keeping queer folks from experiencing isolation, connecting folks to life-improving resources, and investing in each other economically.”
For more information, visit Queermunity’s website or follow them on social media.
Alexzia Shobe welcomes reader responses to ashobe@spokesman-recorder.com.