2nd annual Queer Housing Summit

I’m writing to share about the Queer Housing Summit and invite your support. Those that identify as LGBTQ+ experience high levels of discrimination and housing insecurity. Also LGBTQ+ folks fill a variety of professional roles related to housing including realtors, design professionals, construction workers, financers, non-profit and agency staff as well as activists. The Summit is a space dedicated to learning about the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals related to housing. The purpose of this event was to center the housing experiences of people who identify as LGBTQ+ and to come together, as a community, to explore solutions to the housing crisis.

In August 2023, we held the inaugural Queer Housing Summit at the Tower Theater Lounge in Fresno, CA and virtual, co-hosted by Fresno EOC LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Youth Leadership Institute and the South Tower Community Land Trust. We had presentations about Storytelling and Community Land Trusts. We had panel discussions about Disability Justice and Tenants’ Union Organizing. We had a design workshop that explored how a community owned block in Tower could develop with a Queer vision. During the lunch break we served a fierce drag show!.  

The event was a huge success thanks to 16 planning team members, 14 sponsors, 9 speakers, 5 performers. Though, this is not an issue that can be solved in one event and we're just getting started. We are planning the 2nd annual Queer Housing Summit on August 24th 2024. We will report back progress and continue to build a bigger table. Our 2024 call for program proposals received 22 responses from Portland, Bay Area, Sacramento, Fresno, Los Angeles, and New York.  

We welcome you to ally with us in this work and consider donating. All funds will be received by South Tower CLT, a 501c3 nonprofit and will be used for planning, artist and speaking stipends, location costs, marketing, and refreshments. Any funds not fully expended will be invested in the next Queer Housing Summit.