All Hands In: The Real Work of Building Queer Community with Yinka Freeman

Building queer community sounds beautiful in theory. In practice, it is messy, political, deeply personal, and one of the most radical things we can do right now.In this episode of Queer Hearts Healthy Starts, host and Open Space Therapy Collective founder Renae Johnson (they/them) sits down with Yinka Freeman (she/her), executive producer of Know Other Festival and founder of Triple Pocket Events, to talk about what it actually takes to build large-scale queer community that holds everybody. Not just the people who look the same, love the same, or show up the same way.They get into the difference between community and a social scene, what inclusive really means versus how it gets thrown around, red flags hiding behind rainbow logos, how repair works when something goes sideways, and why the young queers coming up are giving Yinka real, grounded hope.This one is for every queer person who has ever walked into a space that said it was for everyone and immediately knew it wasn't.Queer Moment of Joy Guest 1: Marci Rosenblum She/Her @palmspringspromoteQueer Moment of Joy Guest 2: M Torres They/Them @erikaklashGuest Bio : Yinka Freeman, founder of Triple Pocket Events, brings over twenty years of experience as an accomplished event producer. Her expertise in event planning, coordination, design, and event technology enables her to craft unforgettable experiences, including virtual events. She serves as executive producer of Know Other Festival and as producer and vice president of the board for San Diego Black Pride. Yinka is vice president of the San Diego Equality Business Association and co-chair and director of events for Pride Point Network, fostering inclusivity and community engagement. Known for her meticulous attention to detail, creative flair, and infectious enthusiasm, Yinka's coordination style reflects her extensive background in hospitality and sales. In 2024, Eventex recognized her as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the Events Industry in the United States. Beyond her professional endeavors, Yinka finds solace in travel and nature exploration.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yinka.freeman.5 / https://www.facebook.com/triplepocketeventsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yinka-freeman/Instagram: @yinkagenevieve / @triplepocketeventsHost Bio: Renae Johnson, LPCC, ATR-BC (they/them) is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Board-Certified Art Therapist, and the Founder of Open Space Therapy Collective, a group practice offering affirming, social justice-driven mental health care for the LGBTQ+ & QTPOC community. With clinical expertise in complex trauma, identity development, and creative expression, Renae blends therapeutic depth with a commitment to equity and inclusion.In addition to their clinical work, Renae produces community wellness events like Queerly Connected and is a founding board member of the LA Queer Coalition, creating spaces where queer and trans people can gather, heal, organize, and celebrate. As a community builder, consultant, and activist, Renae is passionate about building systems of care that honor the full humanity of queer and trans individuals—and equipping healthcare and wellness providers with the tools to do the same.To find more from us visit:Website: https://www.openspacetherapycollective.comInstagram: @openspacetherapycollective TikTok: @openspacetherapy Spotify: @MyTherapistisOut Apple Podcasts: @mytherapistisoutYouTube: @openspacetherapycollectiveKeywords: queer community, community building, inclusivity, event production, queer spaces, trauma, repair, green flags, intergenerational, activism