Taylor Whitcomb and Em Moritz invite Queer Coloradans to join Colorado Queer Collective, a hybrid third space designed for connecting within and beyond city lines.
Whitcomb and Moritz, the owner and moderator-slash-co-creator, started CQC in March of this year with the mission of creating local and accessible opportunities in LGBTQ+ communities.
Whitcomb was inspired to create CQC after coming out and experiencing limited access to Queer community events firsthand. Most of the opportunities Whitcomb found were outside of their Fort Collins community, leading them to want more local possibilities for everyone.
CQC has a communal structure, allowing members to help share resources, foster mutual aid and plan activities.
Moritz emphasized that this collaborative structure offers everyone a stake in comfortable digital and real-life third spaces; anyone can ask questions and learn, as long as they are 18+.
The collective is most active on Bumble, within their Discord community and on Instagram.
Whitcomb said these digital connection pages and points factored into their decision to include “Collective” in the group’s name.
“Em [Moritz] and I are kind of moderating and leading things, but it really is just about what the community needs, so everyone is welcome to contribute,” Whitcomb said.
In their Bumble space, Moritz created individual city pages so people can seek out and announce their own opportunities or connect one-on-one with those who live in their area.
Anyone interested in being an organizer or hosting a meetup, especially near Colorado Springs, can get in touch with Whitcomb and Moritz through CQC’s Instagram.
Most CQC events are community-led and organized, but they host monthly meetup events and opportunities that Whitcomb said function like field trips.
The group has monthly meetups in Longmont at a local park or free venue, where anyone interested can go to chat and play games. Their next meetup will take place on July 26.
Whitcomb gave some examples of past “field trip” gatherings, like trips to RBar to attend drag shows and City Park sandwich-centered meetups, like “LGBTs Eating BLTs.” They have also created connection opportunities at several city Pride celebrations.
Whitcomb added that CQC is also at most of Splash NoCo’s Pride Swims on Mondays from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. between June and August, in addition to the Fort Collins food truck rallies on Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. to dusk. Both events take place at City Park.
Whitcomb and Moritz both shared their appreciation for CQC’s rapid growth.
They hope, in time, to have a physical space and host more events. Moritz mentioned wanting to eventually work with local venues to host more open community events that draw in new interest.
Whitcomb thinks that having a sense of community during isolating times is important for boosting acceptance and bolstering support.
Moritz agreed with this, adding that defining a new kind of third space may show an often-targeted community who they can safely confide in.
“I think of the kind of visualization of being shoulder to shoulder with your people and standing strong, arm in arm. I think it’s really important for us to, in a time where it’s so easy for us to isolate, and move away from each other, and stay in and not want to reach out, I think it’s so important right now for people to be connecting with safe individuals,” they said.
Ultimately, CQC hopes to help members find something to enjoy with like-minded people, even if that something is a BLT lunch event.
More information, updates and announcements from CQC are available on their Instagram page and the account’s link in bio.
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