What we’re about

There have been questions! Why are we calling the group Wholesome Queers? Are we a bunch of prudes or religious folks? (not particularly) Are we a bunch of sober folks? (not our focus).

Wholesome Queers is an intentional challenge to common notions of queer. Too often, perception of LGBTQ+ folks is centered around sex. And sex is a great thing! Sex can be affirming in ways that are profound. But sex is only part of the whole of who we are. We are more than that. Our events are designed to foster conversation and comfortable camaraderie. We hike and do neighborhood walks (often with lots of hills and steps, but not always). We peruse museums and festivals, experience theater… we try to do something every Saturday and every Sunday (if organizers are available). The frequency is intentional. Making friends has everything to do with time spent in the company of others. Few folks come to everything. But quite a few come frequently. You’re all adults! You know what makes sense for you. But friendship takes time, curiosity about the lives of others, and listening.

"Wholesome Queers" is simply to remind us that we are each trying to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. We hope our actions and our words align. We embrace living our days in the fullest way that we can. We use kindness and respect as our guide posts.

For those of you who remember when queer carried negative connotations, yes… I get it. But I'm increasingly fond of the name, Wholesome Queers. Queer is a useful umbrella term for folks who don’t fit specific boxes. Children’s books from a 100+ years ago used “queer” to indicate the unexpected… the unusual… but it wasn’t necessarily negative. Dorothy remarked that the Munchkins were queer, and the “Scarecrow had a queer, painted face”… all this to say that I’m comfortable with the reality that I AM a bit different from the rest of ordinary society, and I’m okay with that. If queer means that I am strengthening my brain, my heart, and my courage, I'm all in.

Wholesome Queers is a social and activity group in Los Angeles for intentional individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. We're a friendship-oriented community that enjoys exploring this wonderful city and engaging in various mixed accessibility activities together. From walks and hikes, social meals, and museums and quirky events, there's something for everyone. We also have a book group that meets once a month.

We welcome newcomers, BIPOC, and neurodivergent queer folks, and LGBTQ+ allies to join us. Our organizers strive to create a friendly environment where everyone feels at home.

RULES & EXPECTATIONS

We celebrate diversity, practice empathy, and ask that all members conduct themselves accordingly. Aggression or sexualized behavior towards other members will not be tolerated. We strive to combat racism, classism, ableism, ageism, and other "isms" within the LGBTQ+ community. If you act like a stalker, you will be removed from the group.
Wholesome Queers is a space that welcomes radical authenticity, self-expression, and self-acceptance. We acknowledge that everyone is on their own journey, but we ask that internalized homophobia be left at the door.
Be intentional when RSVPing. Do not RSVP unless you plan to attend. RSVPing is useful if you attend. It helps organizers to plan, and it allows them to contact you if there are changes to an event. You're welcome to bring a friend.
Please check your Meetup messages or the Meetup event page on the day of the event for any important updates.
Event location and instructions are listed on each page, but if you need additional assistance, you can a) prior to the event day, message the organizer via Meetup or b) on the day of the event, text/call them using the phone number provided.
Events will start 10 minutes after the listed start time, so it's important to be punctual. After this time, the organizer may not be available by phone, so if you're running late, you'll need to find the group on your own.
We encourage feedback from participants. Our organizers are human beings who occasionally make mistakes, but we strive to be open and flexible in our responses.
During physical activities, we encourage participants to find a pace that works for them. Not all activities will be accessible to everyone, but our organizers will strive to offer a variety of activities to meet the accessibility needs of participants.
The hike difficulty ratings we provide are just estimates. To decide if a hike is suitable for you, we suggest you consider your current level of fitness and do your own research on the trail.
By participating in group activities, you are responsible for your preparedness and well-being and will hold no one else liable in case of injury or mishap. We encourage members to follow local health ordinances and cannot guarantee that all participants are vaccinated or free from COVID-19.
With regard to photography and video at our events, make sure that you have permission to take photos or video of other members before doing so, especially have permission before posting anyone’s image to social media. WQ is a safe space.