Creating Space for Community: The Queer and Trans Farmers’ Market

Posted on Monday, 2 June 2025 under Stories

To start off Pride Month, we sat down with Lore, Community Development Services Manager at the Oaklands Community Association, to talk about the upcoming Queer and Trans Farmers’ Market and the expanding 2SLGBTQIA+ programming that is building a more inclusive and vibrant community in Victoria. Lore also introduced us to several market vendors whose stories will be shared throughout the month.

Photo of Lore, photographer unknown

Oaklands Community Association, founded in 1995, supports the Oaklands community through childcare, workshops, and popular farmers’ markets. When Lore, a former small-scale farmer, started their position, they assessed the gaps in what was available for the community and recognized that programs for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals were lacking.

The idea for a queer and trans-centred market came in 2023, after Lore spoke with Mur, who had launched the Queer Chess Club at Oaklands.

“During our conversation, Mur shared how challenging it had been to get the chess club off the ground and convince others that it was a worthwhile initiative. This led us into a session of blue-sky thinking about what a larger event involving many queer and trans people might look like.”

Later that year, at the Good Food Conference, Lore met a table of queer and trans farmers and food advocacy workers.

“We talked about how meaningful it is to find each other in professional and communal spaces like that, and I shared the idea that Mur and I had discussed–imagining a larger event that could be centred on farming.”

After their experience at the conference, Lore was inspired and formed a working group called the Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer Plus (2SLGBTQ+) Working Group in Oaklands.

“Together, we co-created the Queer and Trans Farmers’ Market.”

Photo by Mister Kel

The market launched in 2024. Planned as a one-time event, its impact was immediate.

“One of the reasons this space has felt so meaningful is that people could show up and immediately feel it was created for them. That is because it was created by queer and trans people, for queer and trans people. Last year, we had 55 vendors. This year, that number has nearly doubled.”

Photo by Mister Kel

Building on that success, Lore helped launch other queer food security initiatives: a community dinner program, and a lunch series for trans older adults. Both filled quickly and drew enthusiastic responses. To learn more about Queer Programs at Oaklands click here.

Lore explained why they think there are so few events like this.

“There are often no 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in positions of leadership or influence within the organizations that typically run these kinds of events… I believe the reason there are so few of these spaces is because many non-queer organizers do not have the connections or lived-experiences that we do to create them.”

Since the first market, they have noticed queer and trans-led events have grown across the city.

“This shift has started to normalize how we talk about queer identity and inclusion in community spaces. It is becoming less of a question and more of a given.”

Photo by Mister Kel

Still, organizing the market has come with challenges.

“One of the biggest challenges of the market is that organizing this work is not officially part of my job…It is a beautiful initiative, but it is also essentially a full-time job.”

Despite the workload, the event remains grassroots and community-funded, and this year Lore is co-organizing the market with the help of volunteer organizers in the community.

“Another challenge, which is also a source of pride, is that we do not have any external funding for this project. All financial support comes from small community sponsorships, many of which are from queer-owned businesses, and from vendor fees on the sliding scale. We have intentionally avoided funders who may impose expectations or conditions. The market needs to remain rooted in community priorities.”

Photo by Mister Kel

This year, the event expands with new offerings.

“We have more farms and food vendors participating this year, which is meaningful to me… And this year, in addition to the main stage, we are adding a family stage. It will include a few storytime readings and a picnic area. The idea is to offer a space where people can not only shop and enjoy performances but also relax. It is going to be really lovely.”

Photo by Mister Kel

The 2025 Queer and Trans Farmers’ Market will be held Saturday, June 28, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more about the event or how you can get involved, please click here.

To donate to the Queer and Trans Farmers’ Market visit Oaklands Community Association’s Canada Helps page. Select “The 2SLGBTQ+ Program” and write “QTFM” in the message field to donate.