This week host Renae Johnson (they/them) and LA Queer Community Builder Erin Detroit-Vesey (they/she) dig into what it really means to build and be in community with your LGBTQ+ peers.

 In this episode we talk about:

• Prioritizing principles over personality
• How to find and evolve in community
• The balance of asking for and providing help
• When to say no to leadership roles
• How AIDS Life Cycle has provided personal friendships and being of service to our bigger LGBTQ+ community

Join us as we dive into Erin’s story and the richness they have gained from building queer community over the past 15 years.

Guest Bio: 

Erin Detroit Vesey (they/she), originally from Utah and raised in Los Angeles, has spent 16 years dedicated to sobriety. For the past 7 years, they have actively participated in AIDS/Lifecycle, a testament to their commitment to supporting a cause close to their heart. Guided by these profound experiences, Erin deeply understands the transformative power of community. Fueled by a desire to contribute meaningfully, they strive to offer their service wherever it is needed.

To find Erin and donate to AIDS Life Cycle visit:

https://www.instagram.com/erindetroitvesey/

Host Bio: 

Renae Johnson (they/them) founded Open Space Therapy Collective (OSTC), a group practice and community hub that focuses on mental health for and by the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities and their allies.  

Renae is an art therapist who specializes in working with queer artists who are exploring their gender identity and recovering from complex trauma. Previous to founding OSTC, Renae spent a decade in community mental health services, providing therapy and as an Operations Director in organizations serving people experiencing complex co-occurring diagnoses. Prior to their career as a therapist, Renae was a working artist who worked in figurative painting and sculpture. 

Renae is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Board Certified Art Therapist

To find more from us visit:

https://www.openspacetherapycollective.com

https://www.instagram.com/openspacetherapycollective/

https://www.tiktok.com/@openspacetherapy

Content warning: addiction, homelessness

Discussed in this episode: AIDS LifeCycle, San Francisco AIDS Foundation,  LGBT Center