Queer Expression attendees gather for Queer Contours, a figure drawing class facilitated by local artist Crisiti López.
Photo by Joshua James Lefefe
By Julia Ferarra
For decades, the LGBTQ+ population has faced persecution, ridicule, and othering at every level.
In recent years, Southern states, have passed legislation removing discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in K-12 schools, restricting gender-affirming care for transgender youth, and banning books authored by LGBTQ+ folks.
Finding community is one of the main methods of survival and resistance for minority communities.
Queer Expression St. Pete (QE), founded in 2022, is a community-oriented space that focuses on collective liberation and community care.
Since its inception, QE has acquired over twenty volunteers and hosts daily programming for various age groups at their community center, The Nest, which is located in residential St. Pete. This space has a fully stocked kitchen, a library with banned books, a crafting room with supplies, a community garden, a pay-what-you-can washer and dryer, and more.
“QE had honestly grown into something more beautiful than we could ever even imagine,” says T Taylor (they/he), a co-founder and organizer “QE believes that joy is resistance for queer and trans folks living in a state that actively attempts to eradicate us.”
“We grieve together, dance together, make together, and imagine together,” shares USF student and QE volunteer, Heidi Hicks (they/them), “It gives me hope to know that after graduation there is a chosen family waiting to support me as I am.”
Some of the events QE hosts include youth meetups, junk journaling nights, potluck dinners, DJ lessons, cooking classes, figure drawing classes, and a book club.
Photo by Kaylen Sifon
Over 800 individuals have registered to visit since QE signed their lease at the beginning of last year. Many have shared that at QE they experience a sense of safety they’ve never experienced before.
In the future, QE hopes to have weekly meal preps for their homeless neighbors using The Nest’s community kitchen. The organization also seeks to open its doors to community organizers looking to teach necessary life-saving skills such as CPR or administering Narcan.
QE considers itself fortunate enough to collaborate with different local organizations, like the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund and Tampa Period Pantry, to distribute harm reduction supplies, and stock contraceptives and period products.
“We’d like to send out a huge thank you to anyone and everyone who has played even a minor role in making QE what it is today,” says Lauren Harris (they/them), a co-founder and organizer “So many different folks and local businesses have contributed to this project, and every single person’s individual contributions have made all the difference.”
For more information or to register for an event, visit their Instagram and sign up for their newsletter.
