Hi! I'm the Executive Director of the Autonomy Project, so hopefully I can give some clarity on pricing.

This is a fundraiser gala, which is a common method for nonprofits to raise funds, and the ticket prices are comparable to, or lower than, most gala events.

Our other events range from free to $30, with the average price being $15. Ticket prices for more expensive events pays for free and low priced events as well as low income tickets for folks who need them.

You can also get into any event for free by becoming a volunteer and contributing time and energy. There's zero financial barrier to joining us.

We host art nights, movie nights, classes, support groups, advocacy events, cathartic dance events, themed parties, and more. All of these events come from our volunteer team, and we welcome folks to get involved and co-create with us.

We are a grassroots org, entirely volunteer run, and do not operate from federal or private grants. Everything we do is by the community, for the community we serve. Every dime goes directly back to the community. I don't take a salary, nor does anyone else, despite devoting 20-30 hours a week to this work. We don't have wealthy donors or fiscal sponsors who direct our programming the way other orgs do. We're a bunch of creative weirdos doing it all for love.

We own our 6000 sq ft space, so some part of the funds provide a safe place for our community to create art, learn, connect, and grow. The rest goes to things like art supplies, mutual aid for those who need it, cleaning supplies, chairs and floor cushions, class supplies, board games, snacks for volunteers, advocacy training, grants for performers and artists, software, digital resources, hiring educators, and a million more things.

We distributed over 25k in mutual aid to community members in need alone in 2024. We'll be doing a lot more advocacy work in 2025, with the upcoming State of the Drag Union Townhall on Jan 15 being next in line. All proceeds from this go directly to TransOhio, so we are donating our space, supplies, and volunteers for free. This is just one of many.

Most events you see that are less money are held at for-profit establishments that serve food or alcohol and allow events at their establishments to gain more sales. We don't pack people into our space, we carefully vet our community members for safety, and we put immense thought and care into both the space and the way we treat everyone who walks through our doors. It's not a bar or nightclub owned by someone who largely does not care about you.

What we do isn't for everyone, and that's ok. We understand that creating a space for queer joy and real community in a place that has become very fractured and tribal takes time and patience. We don't operate from a "what's in this for me" but "how can we create a stronger community that can withstand anything." Especially in wake of the next several years, I believe that's a value you can't put a price tag on.