COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
/QMUNITY
by Sonya Kuitenbrouwer
Qmunity is a longtime social service organization in the West End. It’s a society dedicated to providing a safe space to those in the Queer, Trans, and Two-Spirit communities. Through their programming, workshops, counselling, and events, Qmunity works to provide the guidance, support, and peer connection that’s sometimes lacking for Queer people.
Felix Gilliland, qmunity's manager of education and engagement.
The organization offers programs tailored to the needs of youth, seniors, and trans individuals.
Qmunity was established in 1979 in Davie Village. The gay community centre, as it was first known, was built in order to create a space to celebrate Queer joy, as well as to assist Queer folks in navigating difficulty and hardship. Felix Gilliland, manager of education and engagement for Qmunity, says the joy the society aims to bring is really what sets it apart.
“Qmunity really brings people together in a spirit of joy, celebration and advocacy. We do a really beautiful job at blending rights advocacy and Queer joy at the same time, and I mean Queer joy really is Queer resiliency,” said Gilliland.
While the headquarters is in Vancouver, the society is a provincial resource centre, providing online resources to those outside the Lower Mainland and visiting communities around the province.
Qmunity’s youth drop-ins are a community-oriented space where youth can hang out and seek support. During drop-in times, there are always youth workers, volunteers, and other youths wanting to get to know each other. Activities include games, crafts, as well as the opportunity for open hangout time with peers.
Coming in 2026, Qmunity will also have a new home. If you’ve ever visited the centre, it’s likely you’ve noticed the location is not the most visible. What is now accessible through a tucked away side door, will soon be home to a new space at the corner of Davie and Burrard.
In the process of creating the new building it’s expected that community members will get to make suggestions about the design, including considerations regarding accessibility and building visibility.
