The Lavender Room - Funds For Community Events

The Lavender Room is a queer-ran DIY basement space in Buffalo, New York, whose programming centers on music, art, and educational classes focused on bringing together community. Much of our work generates funds for mutual aid, using art as a catalyst for community benefit, growth, and change. We are dedicated to creating a safer space for queer folks, and folks in general, to come together to make and enjoy art in community. We beleive that when folks enter community space together, they are in a better position to feel respected and empowered, as well as gain empathy for folks who aren't quite like themselves. The Lavender Room is operated by trans, queer, and BIPOC organizers.

Recently, we have been struggling to cover our operating costs. As a venue that is entirely volunteer run, we exist under a not-for-profit, cooperative model: a model that struggles within a capitalist system designed to maximize profits, not community. The way funding works at the Lavender Room is that every artist, and the lead organizer(s) signs a consent/performance agreement that outlines the details of the collaboration, with one of these agreements being that the Lavender Room reserves the right to keep 15%-25% of door cover funds (generally 15%, up to 25% in the case of an all ages show with a greater risk evaluation), but more often than not, this cut is not taken. This money is then supplemented by food and refreshments at the Service Table, as well as donations. All costs- equipment, ingredients for both vegan and vegetarian dinners for volunteers and community members, bottled water, ear plugs, cleaning supplies, etc- comes from Service Table, where all items are sold slightly above cost. This is feasible for us, for the most part, unless we are in need of upgrades. At the moment, we definitely are.

So, we’re turning to the community! Much of our materials are borrowed from friends and other community members, and we would like to have our own Lavender Room materials. Additionally, we’d like to replace some worn down resources to improve the quality of our community. We are in need of funding for the following items:

Sound Equipment

-sound mixing board

-1-2 monitors

-1-4 new microphones

-2 new PA’s (speakers)

-Subwoofer

-Replacement and spare cables

-Bass amp

-backline Drum Kit

Service & Space Items

-air purifier

-air conditioner

-New carpeting for stage

-1-2 tables for merch and community resources

-Shop vacuum

-Arts and crafts supplies for low-key community events

Some of these items are essentials, others are additional quality of life items. Currently, much of our funds for additional equipment pieces are coming from the queer, trans, and BIPOC folks who volunteer and organize at the Lav Room, and we have begun to struggle with our personal finances as a result. We’re estimating that with anywhere between $1,500-$3,000, we should be able to really put The Lavender Room in a position to continue to deliver high quality art to Buffalo and the overall DIY community. At about $2,000, we could certainly fufill our needs for sound equipment, however any additional funds will help us to better deliver our goals to our community. Even if we do not meet this goal, any number of funds from our community will be put directly to accomplishing some of these desired projects.

As an anti-capitalist space, we wrestle with the idea of requesting funds for any purpose that is not direct contributions to mutual aid. However, we recognize that as The Lavender Room is a community safer-space, any improvement to the space is an improvement that will better serve our community. Any possible funds from community members, whether t be 50 cents or 500 dollars, will contribute to better serving the queer and artistic communities of Buffalo and NYS, as well as the community as a whole. We thank you with our deepest gratitude for your continued support of this project, and of all efforts to unite queer, trans, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and marginalized communities.

With love, gratitude, and solidarity,

-The Lavender Room Team

To see what we're up to, and for further updates on how we use your contributed funds, follow us on Instagram!