A queer social community group is organizing its first fundraiser to provide a mix of day and nighttime events for all identities, including the introverted and sober people, throughout the city.
Qunify is hosting “Dough Fundraiser” Oct. 21 in celebration of the group’s one-year anniversary. The volunteer-run collective was created by a group of friends looking to open “queer-adjacent spaces” and events for all identities and personality types within the community, said Neha Ghosh, Qunify cofounder.
“We started out after finding issues with a social group that was queer-centered, but it was substance-focused or alcohol-focused. The spaces weren’t completely accessible locations and necessarily inviting to people of color,” Ghosh said, referencing the Gayborhood specifically. “We wanted to revamp that concept and reach different sets of folks and do it all over the city.”
The fundraiser will feature a silent auction featuring items from local T-shirt printing company BrownGirlParty, Passional Boutique and Twelve Gate Arts. Qunify aims to raise $3,000 at “Dough,” with proceeds going toward event speakers and facilitators. The collective also wants to raise money for two portable metal ramps that will make more spaces accessible to wheelchair users.
“Most of the city is inaccessible to people with physical disabilities who also want to come to parties and join in on celebrations. We’re making sure they’re a part of our gatherings as well,” Ghosh added.
Qunify hosted more than 30 events in its first year, including the “Our Stories” series. The all-ages, alcohol-free gatherings engaged participants in discussions on topics such as being an immigrant and queer, POC barriers to mental-healthcare and the subsets of sexualities within queerness. The group also hosts happy hours and parties, as well as “Expand Your City” events including book-signings and a scavenger hunt at the Philadelphia Museum of Art that went viral online. The group has an LGBTQ mental wellness resources list on its website for anyone looking for LGBTQ-friendly mental health services.
Ghosh, who is nonbinary and prefers they/them pronouns, said the collective is intentional about providing spaces for people who may be more introverted.
“All of these types of events are meant to target different aspects of the queer community and show that there’s a breadth of things that people can do and choose to do,” Ghosh said. “People that go to the coffee-shop series might not want to go to the parties, and that’s OK. They should still have the option to hang out.”
Qunify’s “Dough” fundraiser will be held 1-4 p.m. Oct. 21 at Colorspace Labs, 1714 N. Mascher St. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://qunifyphl.ticketleap.com/dough-a-qunify-fundraiser/dates/Oct-21-2018_at_0100PM.