Supporting Our 2SLGBTQIA+ Creatives and Connecting Them with Our Queer Communities
About The Q Queer Creative Network
The Q Queer Creative Network (The Q) is a registered non-profit organization committed to advocating for and supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ creative community. Our mission is to empower queer artists, amplify their voices, and foster connection within and beyond the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Since our founding in 2018, we have worked tirelessly to address the question: Why are 2SLGBTQIA+ creatives often underrepresented and less visible in mainstream arts and media? Through research, outreach, and collaboration, The Q has become a vibrant hub for queer artists and a platform for creative discovery.
Our initiatives include:
- Advancing and supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ artists and creatives through advocacy and resources.
- Educating communities — queer and non-queer alike — about the diversity and contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ creatives.
- Creating opportunities for queer youth to connect with the 2SLGBTQIA+ creative community and pursue their artistic aspirations.
- Building platforms like radio shows, podcasts, music charts, and blogs to showcase queer talent and amplify their stories.
- Advocating for stronger representation of 2SLGBTQIA+ creatives across media, entertainment, and the arts sector.
- Collaborating with Pride organizations and youth-focused groups to enhance inclusion and provide educational resources.
The Q’s journey began by connecting online with 2SLGBTQIA+ creatives across Canada and globally. Initially focusing on queer musicians—who for too long were encouraged to hide their identities—we have since expanded to support artists across all creative disciplines.
Highlights of our work include hosting live artist conversations, panel discussions, and the online music festival One Love Live during Pride Month 2020. This initiative, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcased the critical need for accessible, intersectional support for queer creatives.
Through our advocacy, awareness campaigns, and digital platforms, The Q strives to be the central space where 2SLGBTQIA+ artists and audiences connect. Together, we are building a stronger, more visible, and more vibrant creative community.
Let’s unite, support, and celebrate our shared artistry. Together we’re stronger. Together we’re visible.
Kenney Fitzpatrick, The Q LGBTQ Creative Network Founder
Photo by Amy Eaton, AmyTakesPictures.com
About Our Founder
Kenney Fitzpatrick is a trailblazer, advocate, and champion for the 2SLGBTQIA+ creative community. As the founder of The Q Queer Creative Network, Kenney has dedicated his career to fostering inclusivity, celebrating diversity, and empowering queer creatives to thrive.
With a background as a youth educator in Canada’s post-secondary sector, Kenney spent over 25 years working with universities and colleges, where he developed programs and initiatives that made a lasting impact. His leadership extended to a 12-year tenure on the Board of Directors for COCA (Canadian Organization of Campus Activities), during which he served as Eastern Regional Chair, National Chair, Education Chair, and National Conference Chair.
Driven by a vision for an inclusive arts community, Kenney transitioned from post-secondary education to focus on creating a vibrant platform for queer creatives. This passion led to the founding of The Q Queer Creative Network, a hub that connects artists, producers, writers, performers, filmmakers, and illustrators. Under Kenney’s guidance, The Q has grown into a supportive and empowering space where creativity flourishes.
Kenney’s work goes beyond building connections. Through mentorship programs, workshops, and inclusive events, he has inspired countless individuals to embrace their authentic selves and showcase their talents. A steadfast advocate for queer youth, Kenney strives to nurture the next generation of 2SLGBTQIA+ creatives while encouraging the broader queer community to uplift and celebrate their artists.
Kenney believes that change begins at home: by supporting and championing queer creatives within our communities, we can elevate their visibility and amplify their voices. His tireless efforts to break down barriers and promote equality have earned him widespread recognition in both the creative industry and the LGBTQ community.
Through his leadership and unwavering commitment to diversity, creativity, and empowerment, Kenney Fitzpatrick continues to make a profound impact on the cultural landscape—ensuring that 2SLGBTQIA+ creatives are seen, celebrated, and supported.
MISSION
To empower 2SLGBTQIA+ artists and creatives by providing a supportive platform for connection, advocacy, and visibility.
Through education, collaboration, and innovative initiatives, we amplify queer voices, celebrate diversity, and foster an inclusive creative community where all identities can thrive.
VISION
A world where 2SLGBTQIA+ creatives are celebrated, empowered, and fully represented across arts and media. By uniting queer artists and fostering connections within and beyond our community, we envision a vibrant, inclusive future where creative expression knows no boundaries, and all queer voices are seen, heard, and valued.
VALUES
Advocacy
Community
Education
Empowerment
Inclusivity
Innovation
Representation
Visibility
Why We Do This
For generations, LGBTQ artists and creatives have faced significant barriers to representation, acceptance, and equity within mainstream media. Many have felt compelled to hide their identities out of fear—fear of rejection by audiences, exclusion by industry gatekeepers, or outright harm to their careers. Too often, their talent has been overlooked, their work dismissed, and their voices silenced.
Even today, many LGBTQ creatives struggle to share their stories and experiences through art, podcasts, blogs, and other platforms. The hurdles of visibility and recognition remain real, and it’s time to change the narrative.
At The Q, we are dedicated to championing LGBTQ creatives and ensuring their voices are seen, heard, and celebrated. Our mission is rooted in the belief that queer artists deserve to be supported and uplifted, not just by the broader world but also by their own community. Representation matters—not only for the artists themselves but for queer youth who need to see their identities reflected in art and success.
For those living in unsafe or unsupportive environments, we are committed to creating an accessible online space where they can find connection, inspiration, and belonging.
Together, we can amplify queer voices, foster community, and celebrate the incredible diversity of LGBTQ artistry. We are stronger, louder, and more vibrant than ever—and we’re just getting started!
Strategy
How We Do This
- We connect with other like minded organizations to share support
- We offer safe, private and supportive online spaces for our creatives to connect and collaborate
- We raise awareness of the work and artistry of LGBTQ creatives through:
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- our website curatedbyq.com
- offering our social platforms as a space for artists to use and be discovered
- our OUT LOUD series: Podcast, Radio Show and Video Show
- our multiple Spotify music playlists
- our Artist Database and Creative Network
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- We host meaningful conversations through our Out Loud and Qtube Video Series and Instagram Live recordings
- We do active outreach to youth, queer communities, community organizations, businesses and industry to introduce them to the art and work being created within our own community.
- We create artist events to share music with the general community and industry.
- We provide platforms for artists to be seen and heard; a place where creators can be discovered so they may share their stories with new and larger audiences; and we work to create opportunities for the advancement, education and appreciation of LGBTQ art, creativity and experience.
Goals
- To bring LGBTQ Creatives together from around the world
- To become THE hub of LGBTQ creatives online
- To provide LGBTQ Creatives a centralized space where they can be seen, heard and discovered by:
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- global LGBTQ audiences
- Pride organizations
- LGBTQ community organizations, companies and businesses
- news and promotional outlets
- industry professionals
- the general public
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- To raise awareness and the public profile of LGBTQ Creatives
- To share the stories of LGBTQ Creatives
- To provide educational resources, support and entertainment to both audiences and creatives
- To become a “B Corp” modeled self sustainable platform that:
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- employs LGBTQ creatives
- provides creative grants to support LGBTQ creatives
- provides funding back to community youth and organizations
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Transparency
What your network fee goes toward
Your network fees go to helping keep Q programs and the network available and also to growing The Q into a self sustainable “B Corp” model platform. Annual network fees are used for general operations and marketing as well as creating new network programs and opportunities.
As the platform grows and revenue increases, The Q will work to:
* Provide educational and support resources to the network
* Employ LGBTQ creatives
* Establish grants to support LGBTQ creatives
* Establish events to showcase LGBTQ creatives
* Provide funding back to LGBTQ community youth and organizations