Qmmunity Impact

We create spaces for the Two-Spirit LGBTQIA+ and Allies (Qmmunity) to share their stories, uplift each other, share resources, and be part of the world they shape.

Photo by Guillermo Garza de Alexander

When you donate, volunteer, or spread the word, YOU make this possible:

Teachable moments

We’ve presented, educated and instructed at over 30 venues and conferences. Topics include Two-Spirit LGBTQIA+ history, serving older Two-Spirit LGBTQIA+ adults (for social workers and caregivers), how Two-Spirit LGBTQIA+ persons came to be targeted, Alzheimer’s & Dementia (including dementia topics unique to the Two-Spirit LGBTQIA+ community).

Campfire Queer Storytime

A monthly gathering that creates space for adults of all ages to listen to one another’s stories and share their own. Each invited guest is given 10-15 minutes to share a story, read their own writing or that of a favorite author, show and tell, talk about someone they miss…they choose how to convey their story. For older participants, it’s a space to share a collective history and be an active member of a community that they have helped shape. Younger participants leave with not only a sense of being able to picture themselves as a thriving, fully self-expressed elder but usually they also leave with a connection that leads them to a new friend, widening the age range of their social circle. It’s free, it’s fully accessible, near public transport & parking, translated from English to ASL and anyone can share.

Amaging!

The Vortex, World Famous *BOB*, & RCATX present a 70-minute workshop production of AMAGING! “Age is more than a number ~ it’s a story!” *BOB* works with participants from the past several years of Campfire Queer Storytime to create an oral queerstory piece that invites the audience to engage with their own story and the power of rebranding aging. On the calendar for February 2024.

Zoom Monthly Tea Social Hour

During the pandemic we moved to online connection through Zoom. The Zoom Monthly Tea Social Hour is a place where for one hour we gather virtually to engage in lightly moderated/hosted conversation. After the lockdown was over RCATX chose to maintain online programming to remove obstacles from participation. We all landed temporarily in a place where some people with mobility, transportation, or health obstacles live full time inside their homes. Ages 18 & up only.

Spring into action walks

We welcome Spring and the milder weather with group 3-mile walks at a strolling pace that invites conversation while accessing the benefits of moving in nature. The park location changes each spring, and the paths are always level allowing for a wider range of bodies to join us!

Queer Elder wig party

An annual thank you party to Austin’s Elder Qmmunity who are 50+. This is a private 12 person experience that RCATX and Coco Coquette offer in July as a celebration of our elders. The guests personally get a one on one session with a wig whisperer resulting in a fabulous new hairdo and then are whisked away to the makeup artist for a touch of glamour before the runway reveal. Getting your look ready for PRIDE is the vibe and you haven’t lived until you’ve been to a Queer Elders Wig Party!

Sage table

This multi-generational potluck is an annual RCATX event taking place during the winter holiday season. Depression and social isolation are heavily linked to our Qmmunity around this time and this event brings us together. We’ve been fortunate enough to have the Austin Gay Men’s Chorus entertain for us after guests share a meal, their favorite recipe, or even just a laugh. This is a wonderful event we’ve hosted four times now and we look forward to it growing every year.

What people are saying

  • " [PARTICIPATING IN RCATX EVENTS] IT HAS GIVEN ME A SENSE OF PURPOSE BY ENLARGING MY CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES.”

    — Glenna Sue

  • “ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT THE FUN FORCE IS THAT WE’VE MADE FRIENDS OF ALL AGES.”

    — Joseph Brooks

  • "I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR A PLATFORM LIKE CAMPFIRE AS WELL AS OTHER RAINBOW CONNECTIONS ATX PROGRAMMING AS IT CREATES SACRED SPACE TO AMPLIFY MINORITY VOICES. WE EMBRACE COMMUNITY THOUGH GATHERINGS TO LEARN FROM OUR COLLECTIVE PASTS, JOYS AND TRAUMAS TO SEE THAT WE'RE NOT ALONE."

    — Kitty Von Quim

  • “BECAUSE OF THE AIDS PANDEMIC THE GENERATION ABOVE MINE IS VERY SMALL IN NUMBERS COMPARATIVELY, SO IT’S NOT AS EASY TO FIND MY QUEER ELDERS WITHOUT SKIPPING TO AN OLDER AGE BRACKET. IT’S BECAUSE OF RAINBOW CONNECTIONS ATX EVENTS LIKE CAMPFIRE QUEER STORY TIME, AND FUN FORCE MEETUPS THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FORGE INVALUABLE CONNECTIONS TO MY COMMUNITY’S ROOTS, BECAUSE WE CANNOT KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING WITHOUT KNOWING WHERE WE HAVE BEEN!"

    — Bobby Brice