We’re Queer All Year
While city-wide Pride celebrations and promotions stick to the month of June, here are a few Queer Phoenix organizations consistently hosting safe spaces for LGBTQIA2+.
Pride month is a time for the queer community to celebrate gender and sexuality, while also highlighting the history and hardships of LGBTQIA2+ communities. Commemorating the Stonewall Riots in June 1969, this annual and global recognition of LGBTQIA2+ existence and resistance is what makes June an empowering time for gay elders, baby gays, people figuring things out, and everyone in between.
The commercialization of Pride month has risen exponentially as businesses use this time to maximize their marketing to LGBTQIA2+ consumers. June is a month when it’s suddenly okay for corporations to make space for queer people through events and promotions.
But queer people exist beyond June.
As a queer person, it comes more naturally to hang out with other queer people. Friends you make at school, work, or even just hanging out in similar spaces. I’ve branched out a little more trying to make the effort to be in queerer spaces. As a socially anxious person, sometimes it’s a little harder for me to enter a space where I may know little to no people there, but here are a few social clubs that have lessened that barrier for me as they have always been so welcoming and friendly.
Phoenix Queer Hoopers
Whether you love ball or have always avoided a sport, this club is open to all levels of experience. Starting in January 2024, Phoenix Queer Hoopers holds weekly open gyms on Sunday mornings, indoors during the summer and in Encanto Park when the weather is cooler. Queer ballers come together to play a few rounds of half-court pick up basketball, followed by a full court game at the end. Donations to the club are required for paying court fees to reserve the time slots.
Even Nike has taken notice of this sports club. Back in December, Nike gave some merch to the group to pass out to its attendees. Watch parties for the WNBA and Women’s NCAA tournament have been held, along with regular hangouts after the sessions.
Fun Fact: I got one of these bucket hats when the Nike merch was distributed.
Not so fun fact: My nails were done (and very overly grown) but I still made it out to the pick up games. Having Gel X nails didn’t last too long since I ended up breaking my pinky in December LOL totally my fault for pushing my luck
I grew up playing basketball, and though I have never been very good, it doesn’t really matter in a space like this since everyone’s here to play, learn, and overall, just have fun. Any anxiety from former coaches fades away in a space where everyone is encouraging and very eager to give everyone a chance to shoot the ball.
By encouraging queer hoopers around the state to come and make new friends on and off the court, the club has grown over the months, with an increase of regulars attending each week.
thems
For the artists and art lovers, thems phoenix offers events such as various art workshops, exhibitions, and hang outs for queer folks in the valley. My favorite thing about thems is seeing friends you didn’t know were artists or watching friends explore their creativity.
Their most popular event is their monthly open mic night, Fruity Poetry Night. Each event gives space for queer artists to express themselves through poetry, spoken word, and music. The event takes shape in different forms each time. Sometimes mixed with a larger vendor market, a night at the Phoenix Art Museum, and this past month, at Pemberton Phoenix’s newest pool.
Sign ups to read started at 6:45 p.m. Though there were only a few lined up to speak, each poet shared personal stories and their vulnerability was embraced and supported by the crowd.
After the line up, the party resumed with music by DJ Joelie and the pool filled with dancing and laughter.
Lezbe Friends
As an opportunity to make more lesbian and sapphic friends, maybe even potential lovers, Lezbe Friends creates events all throughout the valley collaborating with queer vendors and DJs to make the hottest parties. Dancing, photo opportunities, and new connections can be seen at every event like Sapphic Sundays and the Lezbe Friends Sapphic Pool Parties.
I’ve been lucky enough to attend both the Lezbe Friends Sapphic pool parties, in May and June, as each event sold out quickly. Giveaways, photobooths, twerk contests, and all the pool toys made each event such a fun party.
With a group chat on Instagram of all attendees, it’s a nice way to reconnect with people you met, make plans with people at the events, or promote other queer events and vendors around the valley.
I’ve loved finding new spaces for myself over the past year and these three social organizations have been my favorite places to find my interests and hobbies in safe spaces for the LGBTQIA2+ community.
