Queer Joy in Full Bloom
Looking around the room, I spotted old friends, new friends, and a room full of community. Gardens & Gems is our annual garden party fundraiser, and we’ve hosted it for over two decades. What started as a small, intimate gathering for major donors has evolved into a wholesome, community-centered celebration, and this year was no exception.
An Evening in Bloom
We spent our evening at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture, surrounded by florals in bloom on a beautiful 70-degree day, with views of the field, the trees, and our iconic mountain, Tahoma. The night was full of queer joy and honesty, holding space for what’s happening in the world around us. Both things were true at once, and that’s exactly what made the evening feel so honest and so special — a reflection of our mission to cultivate self-determination, liberation, and joy in our LGBTQ+ communities.
Performances That Brought the House Down
Comedian Mx. Dahlia Belle
Our emcee for the evening, comedian Mx. Dahlia Belle, kept the crowd laughing and connected all night long.
Dezonikah Michaelz
Cali “the Stalli” Colby
We were treated to two unforgettable drag performances. Dezonikah Michaelz brought the room to a hush with a soulful song of resilience and beauty. Later, Cali “the Stalli” Colby brought the house down with a recreation of Beyoncé’s halftime performance, leaving the room thoroughly gooped and gagged.
Words That Moved Us
The evening’s speeches reminded us why this work matters.
Our Executive Director, Nakita Venus (they/them), spoke to the current state of the world and the resilience of our LGBTQ+ communities and the Center. They named the weight of what we faced, including the loss of Juniper Blessing, and reminded us that even in difficult times, we keep coming together.
Sophie Gil (she/they), our Clinic Manager, shared the incredible direct service work her team does. Including the number of clients they’ve supported, the ongoing struggles around HIV/AIDS funding, and how the Center is working to combat those challenges. She also shared how deeply meaningful this work is to all of us on staff.
Maisha Manson (they/them), our Director of Community Programs & Culture, spoke about our expansive community programs from the Mutual Aid Closet and its expansion, to our Youth Advocacy Program offering arts, mentorship, peer support, and connection. They discussed how the Training & Technical Assistance program builds LGBTQ+ competency across the community, how Resource & Referral supports our underserved neighbors, and our DV program, Connections Project, which offers stipends, tools, and support to community members navigating harmful experiences. And that’s not even the full list; there’s so much more happening that couldn’t fit into one speech!
Our Board of Directors, Josh Freese (he/him), Treasurer, and Raven Tyler (she/her), overseeing governance, led our donation ask with inspiration, humor, and even a little bit of dancing.
The Numbers
Together, we raised over $19,000 to directly support our mission.
Gratitude
Thank you to everyone who made the evening so special. And a huge thank you to our sponsors:
We’re especially grateful for the support of Functions & Gathering, Frelard Tamales, and Party on the Rocks.
Thank you to our vendors stir.labs, Apridot Studios, and Vaquero Azul!
Until next bloom,
