2024-2025 Annual Report:

The first year of QJC

Starting a non-profit organization is not an easy undertaking. Starting a Queer organization in the current political climate could be seen as even more difficult.

We knew it was also essential. The Queer Joy Collaborative is a little bit about making thought-provoking art, but it’s a lot about creating community and reminding ourselves what safety and joy can feel like.

What follows is the story of our first year as an organization - the nitty gritty details, the statistics, and the goofy, welcoming, eclectic set of programs that began our journey towards a collaborative infrastructure for safety, mutual aid, and joy.

A Letter from the Executive Director

Sweet community,
This year we did something. It was scary, hard, fulfilling, necessary, busy, hilarious, and hard again.

We took something that was working pretty well and we moved it into a new space where we had to create systems, build infrastructure, and forge new relationships.

Creating QJC has truly been a community effort, led by the dedicated members of our board, and fed by hard work, practicing, and showing up from so many of you.
Our goal is for that showing up (whether you’re showing up to set up an activity or just to SING) to remain as joyful and sustaining for YOU as it does for the organization for many years to come.

Thank you for being you, and bringing your whole self here,

Mara

Our Roots:

Queer Joy Collaborative is dedicated to fostering a supportive and empowering environment for LGBTQ+ individuals in Northampton and surrounding communities, celebrating queer identities and promoting joy, well-being, and community connection.

Joy

At the end of the day, we’re really all here to have some joy. Smiles, goofiness, singing, and connection are medicine for all of us. We come together to experience joy and also to share it with others.