Love and Support for As You Are.

Hello Friends,

As You Are. (AYA) DC is a queer community space, bar, cafe and dance floor. We are the only Queer safe space of our kind to our knowledge. AYA is a cafe, bar & dance floor that hosts diverse programming nearly every night of the week including; social sport leagues, Queer youth socials, weekly karaoke, book clubs, open mics, Queer author events, dance parties, and much more! My wife Joey, and I are the co-founders of this Queer haven in Capitol Hill, DC and our entire team is a part of executing the mission of AYA existing to hold and cultivate a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community. While this community is our priority, everybody is welcome to join us in lovingly celebrating our magnificent Queer culture.

We have faced some particularly tall and costly hurdles that have set us back significantly since the beginning. As we are tapping every resource we can imagine with creativity and open minds your support is always impactful. We work very hard to keep the space safe and affordable to the communities that have few spaces to come as they are. If you are able and willing to spread a little love our way it impacts so many beautiful people that, frankly, could use some love in today's climate.

The funds raised will go toward continual growth, maintenance and support of this queer safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community! More specifically we are working on getting our patio up and running, maintining ACs and repairing some flooring in our 1940's building, and combating increased costs of business since, well, you probably know when the increases hit. If you are an ally, a community member or just saw us on the TODAY Show and want to send some love, this is a great avenue to help queer spaces continue to exist!

As You Are is the fruit of our community's labor, love, and loyalty. Together we have built a safe haven for so many from every part of the LGBTQIA+ community and our allies. Our team is committed to keeping the Queer community safe through fierce protection of the atmosphere and culture, diversifying our menu and programming to serve people from all walks, and keeping our space and services accessible and affordable. The team at AYA is made up of deeply invested Queer people that represent across many intersections and have contributed to the culture in ways there are not words to describe. Many of you know and love them, I know Joey and I sure do! We would be remiss not to shout them out and thank them for making AYA what it is with their love and due diligence.

If you're in a position to help, we would be so grateful.

With love, always,

Coach