QUEERSPACE collective

The news and pics we've all been waiting for! 🤗 Our Spirit Day & 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth Center Grand Opening on October 13 was nothing short of magical, and we’re beyond grateful to everyone who came out to celebrate with us! From the powerful ribbon cutting ceremony with local leaders like Rep. Leigh Finke, Rep. Scott Dibble, and Mayor Jacob Frey, to the incredible energy brought by performers like Lady C, Ken Doll, Andre3000, and music from DJ Mad Mardigan, DJ Izzie P, and One Voice Mixed Chorus, the day was brimming with Pride, Queer joy, and community. 🏳️🌈💫 We want to extend a special thank you to our sponsors - Allina Health, GenerationNOW Entertainment, the Minnesota Twins, and PFund Foundation - for helping make this day possible, and to our amazing community partners who tabled at the event to share their 2SLGBTQIA+ youth resources. It took so many hands, hearts, and minds to pull off this event, and we couldn’t be more thankful for the love and support from all of you. This center is just the beginning — together, we’re creating a future where Queer youth can thrive! 🎉 #QueerJoy #SpiritDay #CreateTheSpace #GrandOpening #ThankYou

This is the power of partnerships, advocacy and coalition building.

Our blacksmithing workshop is going strong! ⚒️ In partnership with Industrial Arts Mentorship for All, youth in our Blacksmithing Workshop have been diving into the fundamentals of blacksmithing, learning traditional techniques from seasoned artisans. The hands-on sessions have sparked creativity, with each youth proudly crafting their own unique hooks. As we move through the extended program, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth are sharpening their skills and taking on more complex projects. It’s been an incredible journey blending art, tradition, and community, and we’re excited to see what they’ll forge next!

Such a fabulous day filled with beautiful community! 😍

See you tomorrow for the QS youth center grand opening!

CALLING ALL CREATIVE QUEER YOUTH! We are NOW accepting applications for our upcoming youth workshops in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud! Don’t miss out on these two amazing opportunities to express yourself, learn new skills, and connect with other LGBTQ+ teens. Art Studio Exploration November 6 - December 11 Wednesdays, 6-8 PM at Emotion in Motion in Sauk Rapids Dive into collage, painting, embroidery, sculpture, and more in a supportive open studio! All supplies, snacks, and a t-shirt are included. DJ with Shannon Blowtorch November 6 - December 11 Wednesdays, 6-8 PM at LUSH Lounge & Theater in Minneapolis Learn the craft of DJing from local legend Shannon Blowtorch, and wrap up with a community dance party! All materials provided. Be mindful of sensory needs—this will be a high stimulation environment! Apply now to join us: https://lnkd.in/gRyycFvr #YouthWorkshops #LGBTQYouth #StCloud #CreateTheSpace #QueerCreativity

We're proud to have been part of St. Cloud Pride's 15th Annual Pride Week celebration! Our Sr. Program Manager, Mandy Rubink, represented QUEERSPACE collective at Pride in the Park, a vibrant festival held at Lake George. The event featured over 100 vendors, live music, delicious food, fun games, and even a Puppy Parade, bringing together the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies for a day of joy and connection. We're thankful for the opportunity to share space with the community, spreading the word about our mission to create safe, inclusive spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth to feel empowered to be their true selves. It’s moments like these that remind us how important it is to celebrate and support one another in the fight for equality!

Our Fall Town Hall last week was a great success! 🙌🏽 We gathered virtually with our amazing community to share exciting updates about the future of QUEERSPACE collective, including a deep dive into our new 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth Center. A big shout-out to our powerhouse leaders Nicki, Jess, and Sam for leading the charge and inspiring us all with their vision for creating safer, more inclusive spaces for Queer youth. Thank you to everyone who joined, asked thoughtful questions, and showed your support for this important work. Together, we’re building something extraordinary! If you weren't able to catch us live, you can view the recording on our Youtube page: https://lnkd.in/eMaKZAta And the excitement doesn’t stop here! We hope to see you all this Sunday for our Spirit Day & 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth Center Grand Opening. If you haven't already, please register at https://lnkd.in/gJ7Qi8DT. #QueerJoy #CreateTheSpace #SpiritDay

We’re honored to be featured in the Star Tribune! Check out the inspiring interview with Luca and Kate, one of our first mentorship matches, sharing their incredible journey. The article also gives an exclusive look at our soon-to-open 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth Center! This space will be a hub of connection, empowerment, and joy for youth across the state. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gvEFdmNr Don't forget to RSVP for our upcoming Spirit Day & Grand Opening on October 13! https://lnkd.in/gJ7Qi8DT

The countdown is ON! ⏳ We’re less than one week away from our Spirit Day & 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth Center Grand Opening, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you! 🎉 Check out these pics from last year's Spirit Day celebration to get a glimpse of all the Queer joy, drag, music, food, and community you can expect. This year is going to be even more magical now that we get to host it in our very own space. See everyone next Sunday! 📅 Date: Sunday, October 13, 2024 🕐 Time: 1:00–4:00 PM 📍 Location: QUEERSPACE collective 1936 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Register at https://lnkd.in/gJ7Qi8DT #SpiritDay #QueerJoy #GrandOpening #CreateTheSpace