Building Community with Queermunity Collaborative

For queer people, finding community can often be difficult. However, Hilary Otey and Kayla Barth have built a business providing that community and much more. Queermunity Collaborative, LLC is a co-working space, vibrant event venue, and café centering and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community members in the area. This multifaceted facility located in the Lake Street Corridor of South Minneapolis also provides art, cultural, and educational community programming and services to LGBTQ+ people, BIPOC communities, and allies.

“We work with and for the people we serve to build a regenerative economy—maintaining a truly affordable space to gather, celebrate, work, and create, while supporting local farmers, artists, makers, and small businesses.”

Round 2 of the Minnesota PROMISE Act appeared at a pivotal time for the co-founders. As a small, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC owned business, financial struggles take a toll as the business prioritizes affordability and resource availability to community members. With the grant funds, Queermunity can increase marketing and outreach efforts in the short-term. In the long-term, investments will be made toward financial sustainability, community revitalization, and equitable access to economic opportunities.

Ultimately, the grant allows Hilary and Kayla to continue general operations as well as support the Resilience program which provides educational, cultural, and arts programming as well as care.

Visit the café at 3036 Hennepin Ave open daily from 8am-8pm. If you would like to support Queermunity's effort to provide a space for LGBTQ+ people and friends to gather, work, create, and celebrate, you can download the Queermunity app in your app store or visit QueermunityMN.com for more information!