Edition #11:

Holiday Month

Post-TDOR

On Nov 20th, Trans Day of Remembrance, about ~120 of us gathered at Comox Valley Art Gallery. Patti Savard, our MC, guided us as 12 incredible individuals went up and shared our personal stories and perspectives. After a short break, another 10 went up for open mic.

I think that so many people staying so late to share via microphone is a statement on safety and comfort felt in the room. I'm very happy that we were able to provide that - especially for a day with such sensitive topics.

Did you know that TDOR has been observed here in Comox Valley since 2020? The first 3 events were held at Weird Church. The past 2 were at CVAG.

We're incredibly thankful to our partners for their support and grateful to be able to work alongside them. We did this event together with Weird Church, CVTS, CVAG, and Comox Valley Pride Society.

We are also incredibly thankful for the standalone volunteers who showed up and absolutely rocked the show in the kitchen and the hot drinks stand. Thank you!!

Pay The Rent parties announced

Save these dates!
January 31, February 21, March 28, April 18, May 16, June 13
(These are all Saturdays!)
$20 Door, @ CV Curling Centre, Bar available
Monthly queer party you can look forward to: Repeating fundraisers held at other venues, saving until we open.. and then held at Queer Centre!!
Monthly theme, a focus on harm reduction, open to community collab: want to help organize?

!!!more details TBA!!!

These have been in the works for a long time. Venue's booked and we already got the disco ball!! Keep your ears out for more information as we near 2026!

Grinchmas Ugly Sweater Bingo!!

A fundraiser for Queer Centre, Shaun Lee & TT Partay will be taking the spotlight at Ace Brewery on the 5th!

6:30-10pm, @ Ace Brewery
Wear an ugly xmas sweater!
Drag | Burlesque | Music | Dance | Prizes
$20 at door, reservations suggested 250-338-1182

❤️ Rainbow Gatherings Continue!

- Friday, January 17: Board Games Night – bring a game, play one of ours
- Friday, February 20: Spinning Love Stories – bring your best love story about anyone/anything you love – hosted by Dr. Serena Patterson
- Friday, March 20: BC Civil Liberties Assn ED Liza Hughes presentation on Human and Civil Rights for the Queer Community
- Friday, April 17: Karaoke – come and sing your heart out!
- Friday, May 15: Trivial Pursuit – hosted & MC’d by James Chamberlain President, Island Queers and Allies Who Care Society

❤️ Queerly Beloved - Weird Church
Mondays @ 7pm, Cumberland

A confidential and safe space to explore the intersection of queerness and Christianity with loads of room for unpacking, questions, sharing and healing.  

Queerly Beloved is intended for those who identify as queer (or questioning) and not for allies.
Questions? Concerns? Please email ingrid@weirdchurchcumberland.com or call/text Ingrid directly 250-218-7641

❤️ Queer Centre Food Bank Trips
Come get free food with us!!

• can offer rides, moral support, and gay vibes
• we can help you with the food bank registration process
• text 250-686-5877 for more info!!

❤️ Lake Trail Drop-In
6-8pm, Meets every Thursday at Lake Trail Community School. Free and all ages, indoor art-making, board games, and sports! Open Gym!
If you have kiddos, this is a good opportunity for you!
** Last drop-in of 2025 is on the 4th, returning on Jan 8th.

❤️ Queer Coffee & Chill hours have changed - now at 10-1pm!
@ Foundry Comox Valley: this is a consistent free third space for all ages to drop in and hang out Sunday mornings.
We will not be taking any holiday break.

❤️ Queer Space youth support group continues every Thursday!
For anyone between the ages of 12-24!
3:30-5:30pm @ Foundry Comox Valley!

❤️ Support Group for Queer Adults!
@ Foundry Comox Valley

A bi-weekly support group for 2SLGBTQIA+ adults to have conversations centered on healing from family or faith-based rejection – a space to talk it out (if you want), breathe it through, and belong

Email safelyrooted13@gmail.com for questions.

everything queer in Comox Valley…
by any community member!

❤️ Tues, Dec 2: Grinchmas Ugly Sweater Bingo (Parksville)
6:30-9pm, @ Mt Arrowsmith Brewing Co
Wear an ugly xmas sweater!
Drag | Burlesque | Music | Dance | Prizes
$20 at door, reservations suggested 250-951-0125

❤️ Wed, Dec 3: Capturing Queer Legacies (Virtual)
12:30-1:30pm
Free virtual workshop series for 2SLGBTQIA+ Creatives
More info: here

❤️ Thurs, Dec 4: Artist as Entrepreneur Workshop
11am-1pm
Free virtual workshop series for 2SLGBTQIA+ Creatives
Auction Houses
More info: here

❤️ Fri, Dec 5: Grinchmas Ugly Sweater Bingo (Courtenay)
6:30-10pm, @ Ace Brewery
Wear an ugly xmas sweater!
Drag | Burlesque | Music | Dance | Prizes
$20 at door, reservations suggested 250-338-1182

❤️ Sun, Dec 7: Queer Coffee
10am-1pm, @ Foundry, Courtenay

❤️ Sun, Dec 7: Pics with Mx. Santa (Parksville)
11am-1pm, @ French Press Coffee Roasters
Drag | Music | Dance | Prizes
By donation

❤️ Sun, Dec 7: Fieramente In Concert
Doors open 2:30pm, Concert at 3pm
The North Island's 2SLGBTQIA+ Choir, with folk harmonic
Florence Filberg Centre - Downstairs!
Admission by donation, fundraiser + silent auction

❤️ Mon, Dec 8: Queer Adult Support Group
7-9pm @ Foundry, Courtenay 

A bi-weekly support group for 2SLGBTQIA+ adults to have conversations centered on healing from family or faith-based rejection – a space to talk it out (if you want), breathe it through, and belong

Email safelyrooted13@gmail.com for questions.

❤️ Tues, Dec 9: Queer Jingle & Mingle Bash
6pm, @ Gladstone Brewing Co
Ugly sweater contest, Optional ornament exchange

❤️ Tues, Dec 9: Trans Nite
6-9pm 
Email QCCVevents@gmail.com for more information!

❤️ Tues, Dec 9 Qmas Queers & Cheers (Qathet)
7-9pm, @ Townsite Brewing

❤️ Wed, Dec 10: Capturing Queer Legacies (Virtual)
12:30-1:30pm
Free virtual workshop series for 2SLGBTQIA+ Creatives
More info: here

❤️ Thurs, Dec 11: Anything but Monogamy Social
6:30pm Chalk Lounge Courtenay | Coast Westerly Hotel, 1590 Cliffe Ave, Courtenay, BC V9N 0J3 

❤️ Sat, Dec 13: Grinchmas Ugly Sweater Bingo (Parksville)
6-8pm, @ French Creek Pub
Wear an ugly xmas sweater!
Drag | Music | Dance | Prizes
$20 at door, reservations suggested 250-951-0322

❤️ Sun, Dec 14: Queer Coffee
10am-1pm, @ Foundry, Courtenay

❤️ Tues, Dec 16: HammyDowns: Film Screening, Youth Media Project
6:30pm Doors open, 7pm show starts
@ Sid Williams Theatre
Free Admission!!!
Get your tix: here

❤️ Wed, Dec 17: Transgender Discussion Group
6-7pm, @ Upstairs Comox Valley Art Gallery
Topic: Holidays and transness
18+.
Register by email: transdiscussioncourtenay@gmail.com

❤️ Fri, Dec 19: Queer For Queer Art Social
5-7pm @ Upstairs Comox Valley Art Gallery

❤️ Fri, Dec 19: Grinchmas Ugly Sweater Bingo (Port Alberni)
6:30-9pm, @ Dog Mountain Brewing, 3141 3rd Ave 
Wear an ugly xmas sweater!
Drag | Music | Dance | Prizes
$20 at door, reservations suggested 250-731-8810

❤️ Sun, Dec 21: Queer Coffee
10am-1pm, @ Foundry, Courtenay

❤️ Sun, Dec 21: Art is Love is Resistance Market
2-8pm, @ Buchanan Hall, Cumberland

❤️ Mon, Dec 22: Queer Adult Support Group
7-9pm @ Foundry, Courtenay 

A bi-weekly support group for 2SLGBTQIA+ adults to have conversations centered on healing from family or faith-based rejection – a space to talk it out (if you want), breathe it through, and belong

Email safelyrooted13@gmail.com for questions.

❤️ Tues, Dec 23: Trans Nite
6-9pm 
Email QCCVevents@gmail.com for more information!

❤️Thurs, Dec 25: Queer Holiday Drop-In
12-7, @ Foundry, Courtenay

❤️Sun, Dec 28: Queer Coffee
10am-1pm, @ Foundry, Courtenay

❤️Wed, Dec 31: New Years Eve
Surely someone will be hosting somewhere?? Quickly, plan something!

Woah that's so much! We'll be huddling close together through these dark months. Did you spot that I'll be at Foundry on the 25th? Come join me if you're looking for a warm queer space!

Also, take a peek in the next issue of the Collective magazine... 

- Jojo