HOW TO FIND Queer Spaces:

I am always on the hunt for inclusive, queer-friendly spaces that are building community, celebrating queer joy, and safe for queer and trans folks. From r/eddit to the depths of Facebook, here’s how I find local queer spaces!

1. Reddit

I only started using Reddit about two years ago, but now it’s become my go-to for finding local queer or trans resources. While Facebook groups can be valuable, they often come with restrictions or entry requirements that make it tough while traveling. Reddit, on the other hand, is surprisingly useful for queer travelers looking for real-time, authentic advice and recommendations.

Subreddits like r/LGBT, r/actuallesbians, and location-based threads like r/Portland or r/askPortland provide first-hand insights from local queers. The feedback feels genuine, and with upvotes highlighting the most relevant responses, you get a clear sense of what resonates with folks. I've noticed that r/QueerPortland is just getting off the ground—I’m actually member number 2!—but I’m excited to see how it develops. It's definitely a platform worth keeping an eye on for hyper-local insights. That being said, when it comes to liberal cities just searching r/WhateverCity will be a good start.

2. queer social club

Queer Social Club is a community-driven platform that connects LGBTQIA+ folks in the Pacific Northwest to queer-friendly events, spaces, and meetups. When we first moved to Portland, I was checking the site every other day. Initially focused on just PDX they’re now expanding to include Seattle, Washington as well. Event organizers regularly submit events, and the queer-wizards behind the scenes make sure the listings stay fresh and up to date.

With a mission to foster connections and uplift community-centered events, Queer Social Club is a vital resource for anyone looking to discover local queer spaces or find something new while traveling. From pop-up events and social mixers to regular weekly theme nights and safe spaces for trans and nonbinary folks, it’s an incredible resource for queer people looking to build community in Portland and Seattle.

3. Queer Exchange facebook groups

Portland has the Queer Social Club, and Austin, TX has the QT Calendar. But before either of those existed, I joined as many Queer Exchange groups on Facebook as I could. Yes, I may have bent the truth on a few applications—sometimes you just need in! I totally get the need to protect queer spaces, but FB groups can sometimes feel a bit gate-keepy too.

Queer Exchange groups are community-run spaces where locals post everything from goods for sale and upcoming events to personal recommendations and support requests. These spaces are fantastic for hyper-local insights and peer-reviewed tips on LGBTQ+ healthcare, housing resources, and inclusive events. They’re great hubs for connecting with queer community members and getting the lay of the land in different cities.

Want to know more? Check out The History of Queer Exchange Groups for a deep dive into how these spaces have shaped queer communities over the years. While it’s frustrating that so much of this vibrant community exists on Facebook—a platform with its own problematic history—these groups are still an incredible resource for queer folks.

4. Everywhere Is Queer

Using Everywhere Is Queer is a blast. It’s a downloadable global app-map highlighting queer-owned businesses and safe spaces all over the world. This resource is perfect for travelers, allowing you to quickly find welcoming queer businesses no matter where you are. With over 14,000 listings, the app is constantly growing, and it’s great for discovering hidden gems, especially in big cities like Portland, Seattle, and Austin​.

Available as a mobile app on both iOS and Android, Everywhere Is Queer makes it easy to find queer-friendly businesses, whether you're looking for a coffee shop in your neighborhood or searching for an LGBTQ+ owned gym while traveling.

At Queer Space Travel, we’re all about supporting queer-owned spaces, and Everywhere Is Queer helps us do just that. You can easily find businesses that align with your values.

5. Queering the Map

Looking for something even gayer? Queering the Map is a collective, community-driven map that allows people to pin significant queer memories and locations across the globe. From love stories to activism, you’ll find meaningful places, and it can help you discover unique queer spaces that go beyond traditional guides. (We love a good guide, HENNY.) Queering The Map is a beautiful blend of travel and storytelling and you should totally check it out.

More than just a #TenderQueer map—it's a living, breathing archive of LGBTQIA2+ stories tied to physical places. Whether it’s the park where someone had their first kiss, the city where a queer activist group marched for change, or the spot where someone realized their gender identity, each pin on the map tells a story that goes beyond geographic coordinates.

Created by Lucas LaRochelle in 2017, Queering the Map has since grown to include thousands of pins from around the globe. This platform allows queer people to see the world through the lens of our community’s lived experiences. It’s about documenting everything from moments of joy to struggles with identity, from the mundane to the life-changing. And it's all done with the simple click of a button—choose a location, drop a pin, and share your story with the world.

Unlike traditional maps, which chart locations based on landmarks and physical features, this map is built on emotional connections and queer experiences. It’s a way to reclaim space for the queer community—especially in places where queer histories have been erased or forgotten. Whether you're looking to reflect on your own journey or explore the stories of others, Queering the Map invites you to engage in a collective narrative that spans across cities, countries, and continents.

Queering the Map also serves as a reminder that queerness is everywhere, even in places we might not expect. From major cities to rural towns, each pin highlights the resilience, diversity, and beauty of the LGBTQIA2+ community.

6. Instagram & Social Media (#QueerSpaceTravel)

Instagram is a major tool in our queer space-finding toolbox. Following hashtags like #QueerPortland, #LGBTQTravel, or #EverywhereIsQueer helps uncover small pop-ups, activist events, and queer-owned businesses that may not be listed anywhere else. Share your next adventure with #QueerSpaceTravel and follow us on Instagram @‌QueerSpaceTravel. By keeping an eye on queer influencers and local accounts, you can get daily recommendations on things happening in your area. Check out Queer Influencers We Stan for a starting point, but brace yourself, the internet be wild.

7. Local Queer Centers & Community Hubs

In Portland, the Q Center is a physical community space offering resources, peer-support groups, and events, making it a great first stop for folks new to the city​. Many other cities have similar centers, and they’re often the heart of queer life in their areas.

8. Queer Travel Blogs/Sites

Queer travel blogs can also be a way to find LGBTQ+ spaces. But it really depends on where you’re going? Bloggers often share their personal experiences… but it’s usually like a couple goes on an adventure in Europe with a photographer? I have no freaking clue how travel blogs work, yet! Queer Space Travel is our attempt at making the queer travel blog experience better.

7. Lex & Meetup

Looking for a casual meetup or support group? Apps like Lex (known for its text-based, queer personals vibe) and Meetup (which use to host more LGBTQ+ gatherings until they started charging) are tools for finding queer spaces and events that aren’t always listed elsewhere. From local hikes to queer-run book clubs, these apps can help you tap into niche groups. People can also seem unnecessarily angry? Protect your energy.

8. Local Travel/Tourism Sites

Cis-people travel too. So we can’t forget to check local tourism sites like Travel Portland or Gay Portland, which often highlight LGBTQ+ events, businesses, and festivals. These sites are legit an excellent resource for queer travelers and locals alike, offering curated lists of popular queer spaces and events that the city has to offer​. Most articles are high level and don’t go into detail, but Travel Portland and The Actual Portland have a very cool map feature so when you’re out and about just learning what is near by can be fun too.

9. Queer Space Travel

Queer Space Travel is your new/fledgling/baby-blog/soon-to-be-go-to resource for finding and celebrating queer-friendly spaces in Portland and the Pacific Northwest. It’s a trans-resilience-driven platform focused on connecting LGBTQIA+ folks to inclusive destinations, local gems, and safe spaces. PDX QT Meetup, hosted by Queer Space Travel, is a bi-weekly meetup group for Portland's LGBTQIA2+ community. Whether you're new to Portland or a long-time resident, these meetups are a great way to explore queer spaces together, build connections, and "crash" both queer-friendly and straight spaces with a sense of joy and inclusion. With a focus on fostering safe, fun, and welcoming environments, PDX QT Meetups are a traveling queer space where you can find your people, share stories, and celebrate the diversity of the Portland queer community.

one more queer thing:

The struggle is real. The world is (SUPPOSED TO BE) full of queer-friendly spaces, but actually finding them can seem like an impossible task. Never fear, fellow queer! You’re not alone. That’s why we’re building Queer Space Travel! You’re already a part of this. And when you’re ready to share your story? Your favorite queer space? Spill the tea? We’re here for it.