Looking for your people?
As a queer woman myself, I always assumed that spaces designed specifically for me weren’t really a thing. Sure, gay clubs are always a vibe, but I was seeking more spaces that really centred around sapphic connections, beyond making friends for the night in a sweaty club.
As it turns out, Aotearoa has no shortage of spaces where queer women and non-binary inclusivity are at the forefront - you just have to know where to look.
From sapphic club nights, to gender-affirming work-out spaces, to queer creativity groups, there’s a lot of incredible people in our community creating inclusive environments for like-minded people.
Have a geeze at what I’ve found below:
Sapphic Sounds (Auckland & Christchurch)
Sapphic Sounds is a collective that champions safe, inclusive events for queer shes and theys, where diversity and uniqueness of all individuals is embraced.
Not only does Sapphic Sounds host queer club nights - they also host a bunch of other events including Queer Country night, queer artist after-parties, Casino nights and more. They just had their first Otautahi pop-up too!
‘Sapphic’ to them ‘represents and celebrates all gender expressions, sexual orientations and cultural identities’, with inclusivity at the heart of the collective. Follow their Instagram page here.
Radiqal Movement (Auckland)
Radiqal Movement is one of Aotearoa’s first and only queer and gender-affirming fitness organisations, focussed on ‘body-liberating and joyful exercise experiences’ tailored to everyone and anyone in the LQBTQ+ community.
They hold weekly group fitness classes, personal training, as well as community groups like ‘Dykes and Hikes,’ and ‘Mermascs’ - all run by queer people and instructors.
I can personally vouch as someone who always held a level of gym-anxiety, Radiqal Movement is a super welcoming and fun environment to not only work out, but meet new people. Check out their Instagram here.
Gingers Lesbian Pop-ups (All around Aotearoa)
Gingers Lesbian Pop-ups is a movement that holds events all around Aotearoa, with their focus being creating a ‘safe, inclusive, and fun vibe’ for ‘anyone who feels like it is for them’ - a statement that I personally love.
Their events usually entail DJs, drinks, live music, entertainment, special guests and more. They’ve already held pop-ups in Bay of Plenty, Auckland, Raglan, and Wellington, and they’re headed to Christchurch and Hawke’s Bay in November!
While Gingers is predominantly an event that celebrates lesbians, it’s an inclusive space for anyone a part of the community, and also welcomes allies who come along with their rainbow mates. Check out their Instagram here.
Kindred Queers (Wellington)
Kindred Queers is a space set up to find ‘a deeper sense of community with your queer kin,’ by playing nourishing and playful connection games with ‘genuine, empathetic LGBTQ+ identifying people,’ inviting anyone a part of the LGBTQ+ community to come along.
This event is a series of three different-themed workshops (you can come to each as you please), which enable you ‘to heartfully, playfully and courageously connect, using the tools of radical honesty and active listening.
At the end of the night, there’s an open lounge space for anyone wanting to hang out afterwards. Check out the event info here.
Tender Buttons (Christchurch)
Tender Buttons is a collective ‘putting on parties for queers, tender lovers and dedicated dancers’ with celebrating anyone who exists outside the norm and ‘exist beyond the binary’ at the heart of it.
Tender Buttons hosts events in Christchurch, where they feature local talents and DJs, Drag performers, and more.
It’s a safe space for everyone to embrace themselves, with particular care for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and anyone who exists beyond the binary. Follow their Instagram here.
Church (Auckland)
Church is a collective throwing queer night club events, dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive space for all women, designed specifically for our communities and allies, and a space to ‘unapologetically be you.'
Held at Neck of the Woods on Karangahape Road, Church has thrown a bunch of club nights featuring DJs, Drag Performers, and WLW entertainers.
Church has also recently launched the Church Queer Yoga Club, where they are committed to making their sessions ‘accessible to all queer and trans individuals.’ Check out their Instagram here.
Queer Horizons (Christchurch)
Queer Horizons is a community ‘organised by and for the queer and bipoc communities of ‘Ōtautahi.’
They throw a bunch of events at Flux Bar in Central Christchurch where they’ve fostered an amazing, safe space where DJs get our community dancing the night away.
Queer Horizons is dedicated to being ‘an inclusive, respectful and joyful space’ where all are welcomed, but BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ are ‘front and centre, always.’ Have a geeze at their Instagram here.
Rainbow sports clubs (All around Aotearoa)
There are a bunch of sports clubs and teams around the motu who are dedicated to ensuring our community has access to safe and empowering spaces to participate in sports.
From basketball, to badminton, to walking groups and so much more, there are plenty of clubs out there who welcome those in the LGBTQ+ community.
Rainbow Games, which is a ‘fully inclusive multi-sport tournament for LGBTQI+ and allies’ has a fantastic list of clubs on their website to check out. Have a gander here.
And more!
I’ll tell you what - there are a shit tonne more collectives, organisations and events all around Aotearoa where people like you and I can find our people.
From craft clubs to queer line dancing, there are a lot of incredible people from our community out here setting up great initiatives and events to get stuck into.
In the words of Gwen Stefani, I’m just a girl, so I’m bound to have missed some spaces off this list in your neck of New Zealand.
As much as Facebook is lowkey a thing of the past, LQBTQ+ Facebook groups are always a great shout to join to find out what’s happening where. The Queer Collective NZ is a great group to join, as well as regional groups like Queer Wellington, Lez Have Fun Christchurch, and Queer Dunedin, and so much more.
So whether you’re looking for a night out, a workout, or just a space to connect with other sapphic souls and queer kin, there’s a spot for you here in Aotearoa. Get amongst it and remember: these spaces exist because of us, for us. So go find your people, you good thing!
