About US
This space arose as a response to community organizing and listening to LGBTQIA+ folks in Portland, OR. The stories and data collected strongly indicated that many folks feel a sense of non-belonging, exclusion, rejection and isolation from community.
A small team began to wonder what it could look like if there was a facilitated space for folks to come, socialize, reflect, and build community based on the spirit and practice of queerness.
Queer Enough seeks to fill the gap and build community rooted in the spirit of Queerness, connection and repair, listening, acting, and being together.
This is for LGBTQIA+ folk and queer people who seek connection, affirmation, and support while digging deeper into the resilience and expansiveness of queerness. It is for folks whose experience of queerness intersects with race, gender, class, ecology, disability, and spirituality while actively practicing anti-racism and anti-colonization.
This is a place of dreaming, celebration, grieving, aid, reflection, connection, growth, ritual, storytelling and communal healing, and culture building.
We are glad you are here and view doubt, questioning, and unknowing as sacred.
Purpose
To build culture and community while seeking connection and repair for LGBTQIA+ folks (18+) in and around Portland, OR
Vision
We envision a community where LGBTQIA+ are connected, organized, and foster life in and for one another and our ecosystems
Monthly Gatherings
We gather to socialize, to learn, to grow, and to build community connection, capacity, and wisdom. Gatherings can look like movie nights, craft nights, game nights and also facilitated reflective spaces.
Community Activities
We recognize not one organization exists in a isolation, Queer Enough invites folks into the greater Portland community to participate in and mutually support our eco-systems.
OUR FLow
Through seasons of continued listening, Queer Enough has established several facets of resources and support:
01
Community Gatherings
We gather for connection, fun, and informal conversations. Past events have featured food carts, craft nights, soccer games, arcades, and comic book outings. We look to join with what is already happening in Portland and around us.
02
Peer Education
The LGBTQIA+ community is rich with wisdom. We meet together over topical studies to share our questions, curiosities, personal truths, and experiences. Future topics include internalized queerphobia, inclusive sex education, spiritual (re/de)construction, and more.
03
Mutual AId
Queer Enough offers opportunities to give and/or receive mutual aid for LGBTQIA+ folks who want support. Previous supports have consisted of gender affirming clothing/accessories, gas money, groceries, books, and workshops.
04
One-One Connection
One to ones allow us to better get to know each other outside of group settings. We encourage folks who meet in group gatherings to continue fostering relationship with each other and find commonalities to celebrate and explore together. It is a strong reminder that we are not alone and worthy of being fully seen and known.
Purpose
To build culture and community while seeking connection and repair for LGBTQIA+ folks in and around Portland, OR
VISION
We envision a community where LGBTQIA+ folks (18+) are connected, organized, and foster life in and for one another and our ecosystems
Funding
Queer Enough is funded through the Oregon Synod, which is a community of the ELCA. The Oregon Synod is a 501c3 and has been *RIC since 2005. We are seeking ways to diversify our funding and welcome new community partners to help support us.
*Queer Enough is grateful for the Synod’s recognition of harm done to marginalized communities. We fight for continued repair, opportunities to rebuild, and for spaces to create and hold meaningful connection.
Get Connected
Organizer and Facilitator
Chaune Schafer (she/he/they) is the organizer and facilitator of Queer Enough. She lives in Portland, OR with her spouse, Ely (he/they) and their two kittens. Chaune studied Health Science at Whitworth University and has worked in various roles over the last decade providing preventive care by walking alongside individuals and communities in an effort to provide space for connection, meaning making, healing, and celebration. Chaune recently earned his Master of Theological Studies at ILIFF School of Theology examining how inclusive communities can support individuals on their journey of integrating spirituality and sexuality. Chaune loves mulling over, listening to, and sharing in the sacred mysteries and beauty of the universe through conversation, contemplation, and play.
If you are curious or want to set up a one to one with Chaune, please send them an email!
Chaune Schafer
she/he/they