In our current sociopolitical climate, you may find it can be challenging to decompress. This has certainly been the experience of my clients - as well as myself. Thankfully, queer community is available to us to hold space, honor our unique experiences, process, grow, advocate, and heal. That’s why I decided to put together a list of places in Los Angeles that cater to LGBTQ+ wellbeing. Below are 7 spots that may help you in your mental health journey.
7 LGBTQ+ Los Angeles Spaces to Decompress and Find Community:
EVERYBODY - In-Person & Virtual Gym, Classes, Person Training & Wellness
EVERYBODY shares that they are “committed to creating a radically inclusive culture for all bodies to move, strengthen, and heal.” This Los Angeles space has a diverse team of queer teachers and staff, EVERYBODY is a safer space to be in your body and decompress. Classes include boxing, dance/Zumba, weight training, yoga, pilates, meditation, and breathwork. Additionally, EVERYBODY offers special wellness events such as Acupuncture days (at sliding scale cost).
Membership to the GYM (in-person gym & virtual HOMEBODY membership) is $45/month with a 12-month contract, GYM + CLASSES (in-person gym & classes + virtual HOMEBODY membership) is $88/month with a 12-month contract. HOMEBODY (virtual classes) is $35/month with a 12-month contract.
EVERYBODY is located at 1845 North San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, CA, 90065.
Check out their website at www.everybodylosangeles.com.
InsightLA - In-Person & Virtual Meditation, Mindfulness, & Self-Compassion Practices
InsightLA offers practice groups, meditation retreats, and other programs cultivating individual stress reduction and community connection in Los Angeles. Furthermore, InsightLA offers LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and neurodiverse specific spaces as well as financial support programs, noting “Recognizing that Los Angeles is a diverse community, we are deeply committed to equity and inclusivity in all we do. Insight in Action allows us not only to sustain our commitment to accessibility, but to meet the ever-increasing need for our services regardless of socio-economic level or demographic.”
Currently, diverse programming includes (but not limited to):
LGBTQueer+ Mindfulness - Online every second Sunday of every months 1-2:30 PM PT and donation-based (suggested $25)
[En linea] Meditación Mindfulness en Español - Every Monday 7-8 PM PT and donation-based (suggested $0-15)
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) - Online Wednesdays 9-11:30 AM PT from March 20 - May 15 and pricing (full fee $550 to pay-what-you-can $0)
InsightLA’s physical locations are located in Benedict Canyon (Beverly Hills), Hollywood, and Santa Monica.
Check out their website at www.insightla.org.
Junior High - Art + Empathy Events & Consignment Store
Junior High, a Los Angeles LGBTQ+ space, offers an array of events and community to de-stress, connect, and cultivate queer joy. Junior High states “We prioritize accessibility — physical, financial, psychological, mobility — and we’re happy to accommodate your needs. If you are a student, QTBIPOC+, or low income you may qualify for discounted ticketing for our events.”
Currently, programming includes (but is not limited to):
Club Gay Gardens - Learn about and tend to native plants on the last Sunday of every month from 10 AM - 12 PM PT (free!)
Junior NOT High - AA meetings prioritizing BIPOC, women, queer + trans safety every Monday 8-9 PM PT (donate what you can)
Glass Fusing - Make fused glass coasters on March 28th from 6-1- PM PT (cost is $100 with accessible pricing available)
Junior High is located at 603 S Brand Blvd Glendale, CA 91204.
Check out their website at www.juniorhighlosangeles.com.
Stitch & Bitch Queer LA - Knitting & Crochet Group
Stitch & Bitch is a weekly, Los Angeles-based group that offers an outdoor space to knit and crochet with queer community. All skill levels are invited to join. Facilitators note that some supplies will be provided but that you are encouraged to bring your own. Learn how to decompress with art and community at this weekly group!
The group meets every Sunday from 12 - 3 PM PT at Silver Lake Meadows with alternative locations when it is rainy (check their instagram linked below).
Silver Lake Meadows is located at 2300 Silver Lake Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039.
Check out the group’s instagram at www.instagram.com/stitchandbitch_queerla.
Great Outdoors Los Angeles - LGBTQ+ Outdoor Recreation
Great Outdoors LA offers outdoor activities for the queer community in the greater Los Angeles area. This includes (but is not limited to) hiking, camping, backpacking, and plant restoration. The organization aims to provide “welcoming, fun, and affordable events so everyone can participate.” Additionally, Great Outdoors LA shares it’s the “largest LGBTQ+ outdoor recreational organization in Southern California.” Get some fresh air and decompress with your queer siblings with their dope programming!
Currently, programming includes (but is not limited to):
LA-Hike: Santa Monica Mountains Native Plant Restoration & Hike - Saturday March 16 from 9 AM to 2 PM Pacific in Newbury Park, CA
LA-Malibu Creek State Park Campout - Wednesday June 26 to Sunday June 30 At Malibu Creek State Park
LA-Camping Mount Pinos Los Padres NF - Friday September 6 to Sunday September 8 at Mount Pinos Car Camp Los Padres NF
Check out their website at https://www.greatoutdoors.org/la.
The Queer Mercado - Monthly Queer BIPOC Market
The Queer Mercado is a Los Angeles monthly market space of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC vendors selling their goods and art. With over 60 vendors, this market offers an array of opportunities to support your brown and black queer siblings. Furthermore, the market provides queer entertainment of musicians, dancers, and drag. If you go, get ready to decompress with some incredible fun and queer expression!
The market is held every 3rd Saturday of the month from 10 AM to 4 PM at East LA Civic Center.
The East LA Civic Center is located at 4801 East 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90022
Check out their instagram at www.instagram.com/thequeermercado/.
Cuties - In-Person & Virtual Queer & Trans Community Space
Cuties is a Black-owned & operated space offering queer & trans community events in Los Angeles. Events include (but are not limited to) poetry nights, weekly coworking spaces, monthly meditations, mental health events, BIPOC only spaces, and activism events. Find community, work on productivity, decompress, and embrace your LGBTQ+ expression with this incredible organization!
Currently, programming includes (but is not limited to):
Cuties Monthly Meditation - virtual every first Saturday of the month from 9 - 10 AM PT (donation-based $1-30)
Let’s Werk - Weekly Queer Coworking Space - every Thursday from 11 AM - 3 PM PT at The Ruby Fruit in Silverlake (required to purchase food or drink to support the queer-owned space)
Let’s Werk - Long Beach - every Wednesday from 11 AM - 3 PM PT at Wood Coffee Co in Long Beach (donation-based)
Check out their instagram at www.instagram.com/cutiesla/.
If you are in need of therapy services, Mixed Emotions is actively taking clients. Feel free to check out our services in the menu above or send us an inquiry message at alexa@mixedemotions.care. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call the mental health emergency line at 988, go to your nearest emergency room, or text Thrive Lifeline at +1.313.662.8209 (Thrive does not engage in non-consensual active rescue AKA non-carceral).