New Queer Expression headquarters lets St. Pete grassroots organization expand inclusive programming

Last summer, St. Petersburg-based Queer Expression—a volunteer-run organization that “creates multigenerational Queer + Trans community spaces in Florida”—was fundraising for a new home base and headquarters.

After reaching about 50% of its $30,000 GoFundMe goal after months of crowdfunding, the tiny team behind this hyperlocal queer organization has finally cemented itself in the Sunshine City with an “inconspicuous sanctuary” in an area near Roser Park.

With the recent debut of Queer Expression’s new home, founders T and Lauren (who requested their last names not be included for safety reasons), have been able to expand the footprint, programming and number of organizers within the group.

“We wanted to make sure there was enough space for physical activities, but also wanted it to feel homey and comfortable,” co-founder Lauren tells Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “Besides storefronts in St. Pete costing way more than residential houses, we wanted our community space to feel incredibly welcoming for whoever would walk through our doors to help foster a deeper sense of connection.” [content-2] The group signed its lease on the first day of 2024, and has been hosting a variety of events and programs at its new homebase dubbed “The Nest,” from the BIPOC-centered Futurity pop-up and arts and crafts nights to its weekly Wind Down Wednesdays and “Let Kids Be Kids” gathering, which offers a place of refuge for local trans youth. Cooking classes for kids ages 11-17, yoga, crocheting circles, and gardening days are also hosted at The Nest throughout the month.

Lauren shares that Queer Expression has recently gained a new slew of followers and event attendees, eager to contribute to its mission of providing inclusive, safe spaces throughout Tampa Bay. The group also tabled at queer pop star Chappell Roan’s ultra-sold out Jannus Live show earlier this month, which helped spread the word about Queer Expression and its community-building ethos.

Ruu, an event attendee-turned-new organizer with Queer Expression, tells CL that there are about 20 members of the local LGBTQ+ community that contribute to its many programs, who then split up into different factions like administration, social media, outreach and fundraising. And with Pride month around the corner, QE is gearing up for a month of events and crowdfunding efforts to help pay The Nest’s rent and utilities.

QE currently has a Patreon and Ko-fi to raise funds for its year-round programming, but is still trying to find ways to consistently finance the organization.

“Visibility is a double-edged sword sometimes, but because there are a lot of queer-owned or allied businesses in St. Pete, we can use that visibility to help build out more programming,” Lauren says. “Ideally, we wouldn't have to center Pride month around fundraising, but it seems to be the time where people are more keen to help.”

To help provide an alternative to St. Pete’s massive Pride parade on Saturday, June 22, QE is hosting a daytime market in the Grand Central District. Additionally, its second anniversary celebration will also take place sometime in June.

Pride month aside, Queer Expression is chugging full steam ahead with its recent rise in popularity and newly-secured space. Two specific goals are at the forefront of its mission: to provide more Black and Brown queer spaces led by BIPOC organizers, and to expand programming for Tampa Bay-based trans youth. Lauren says that a majority of LGBTQ+ spaces in St. Pete are “overwhelmingly white, Queer Expression included sometimes,” and that up-and-coming organizers are taking the reins on their own events and projects for queer people of color.

QE’s events like its “Let Kids Be Kids” gathering is a laid-back way to not only help queer kids relax and connect with each other, but to bridge a generational gap between them and the older, 20-to-30-something organizers.

“When T and I were growing up, so much of our lives were just being told that our lives were going to be hard, scary or just an overall negative experience. That’s why a big part of Queer Expression has been allowing these kids to see that they can be a happy trans or queer person—that you can have a really sweet and special life filled with community and happiness.”

“Points of struggle are very important to emphasize and provide historical context, but it's also not the only part of being queer—so much of it is so joyful and special,” they add.

There’s a common understanding amongst queer people that sometimes we have to choose our own families since those who we’re biologically related to can oftentimes misunderstand, disown and reject us. The Trevor Project reports that only one third of LGBTQ+ youth experience parental acceptance at home, and that access to queer-affirming spaces is directly connected to mental health and quality of life.

Both Queer Expression’s new homey headquarters and the dozens upon dozens of folks it serves are living proof that found families (and the cozy houses they occupy) can pop up just about anywhere—even amidst state-sanctioned hatred and discriminatory legislature.

And while Queer Expression offers a variety of different safe spaces every week, the volunteer-run organization makes a blatant decision to not participate in the official Pride parade due to its abolitionist and anti-capitalist values. Although there are certain spaces or grants that it will never have access to without a 501(c)(3) designation, QE can wholeheartedly support its community with no financial strings attached.

“There are small, grassroots organizations that aren’t funded by big corporations that are actually making a difference in the day-to-day lives of queer and trans people in Florida. In a lot of senses, what we do can be considered more political than anything a massive nonprofit does,” Lauren explains. “I just think the liberatory potential is a lot greater when you know your neighbor and are truly building a community—that way you know who you're fighting with and what you're fighting for.”

For the latest news on Queer Expression, its new homebase or any of its upcoming events, head to @queerexpressionstpete on Instagram . Folks that would like to join or volunteer with the organization are encouraged to reach out via social media.

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