We updated our policy in August 2024 – please read the newest policy instead.
If you want to know why we require vaccination, this post is still relevant.
We Require Vaccination for Studio Events
When you purchase a ticket for a Studio-run event*, you click a little box that confirms you’ve read our COVID-19 Policy, are up-to-date on your vaccination, and are willing to show us documentation to that effect. The CDC currently defines ‘up to date vaccination’ for COVID-19 as at least one dose of the ‘23-24 updated vaccine. In practice, our policy means you must either receive at least one shot between September ‘23 and now or contact us directly to obtain an exemption.
In a world where sober queer spaces are very limited, we are dedicated to creating an environment that is not only inclusive but also safe for everyone. This commitment extends to our approach to public health.
A Complicated History
We are aware that for many, vaccination is not as simple as “just get a shot.” The rollout for updated vaccinations was complicated. Pharmacies may be opaque about if or how no-cost vaccines are available. Vaccinations can mean time lost to immune responses – a particular challenge for parents and folks who are economically precarious. Vaccination rates are impacted by a long history (and present) of medical racism, fatphobia, homophobia, ableism, and all of the ways in which institutions tend to amplify prejudice. And still, despite all of this, vaccinations are the best way for us to keep ourselves & each other safe.
As a queer-owned space, how we navigate this moment is rooted in both our lived experiences and our history. It is a history of both institutional failure and humbling, powerful community care in the face of crisis.
Phil Wilson, internationally renowned HIV/AIDS advocate and activist, shared five lessons from surviving the initial waves of the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a Black, HIV+ organizer and activist:
1. They are not going to send the lifeboats to save us.
2. Our active participation and leadership are essential for our survival.
3. The messenger matters.
4. Our lived truth is THE truth for us.
5. We can save ourselves.
This ethos – we can save ourselves – is at the heart of our space. Multiple layers of risk mitigation are built into the Studio including HEPA air purifiers, high powered fans to encourage airflow, large windows for air exchange, and our vaccination policy. We layer risk mitigation because none of these is individually perfect. They’re stronger together.
Protecting the Most Vulnerable
Requiring vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect against the spread of infectious diseases. By ensuring that everyone who attends our events is vaccinated, we are reducing the risk of outbreaks and protecting those who may be at higher risk of severe illness, including immunocompromised individuals, elders, and those with underlying health conditions.
Modeling Community Responsibility
We have a unique opportunity to model what community care looks like. We understand that health is not just an individual responsibility but a collective one. Each person’s health and actions affect the entire community; the community’s actions affect individual health. By requiring vaccinations, we are reinforcing the idea that taking care of oneself is also taking care of each other.
We believe that a true community takes care of its most vulnerable members. We do not throw each other away. Our decision to require vaccination for studio events is a reflection of these beliefs. We thank you for your understanding, your cooperation, and your commitment to collective care. Together, we can ensure that our studio remains a welcoming and safer space for all.
A Personal Note
I count myself lucky to have shared stories with people who survived the most intense waves of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. I carry the weight of those stories with me – both the beautiful and the heartbreaking. I carry their joy that we’re still here – that there is a rainbow of queer third places they could never have imagined in 1987. That there are people – queer and otherwise – who do not know the deep ache of choosing which funeral to attend on a Saturday because there were just too many.
When we say “the personal is political,” this is what we mean. That our histories are connected to our present. That I – barely in my mid-thirties – should not be what anyone considers a “queer elder.” That there is a reason that a generation of queer kids doesn’t have role models over the age of fifty. That this was preventable.
We have a chance to do things differently this time. We should.
With love and solidarity,
Nora
*Private events & rentals (i.e. LA Cuddle Club) are welcome to set their own policy for vaccination and/or masking. Please contact the event organizer directly if you have any questions about their policies.
We recognize that not everyone has equal access to healthcare and vaccines. Some resources for no-cost vaccinations are linked below.
If you need assistance, please reach out to us.