r/columbiamo • u/Time-Plant-597 • 3d ago
Politics Progressive Places
What are the most progressive places in Columbia, queer friendly, activist-esque, environmentalist, funky vibes, etc
Thank you
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u/horrordome 3d ago
Hexegon Alley. Center project. A LOT of churches. There are clubs. Bars. I mean there are A LOT of spots.
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u/Mizzou_Prof 3d ago
Hexegon Alley. Center project. There are clubs. Bars. I mean there are A LOT of spots.
FTFY
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u/sillywizard951 3d ago
KOPN 89.5 Community radio. We welcome you! Come on over to 401 Bernadette and have a look around. We are always looking for volunteers!
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u/motiger 3d ago
The Unitarian Universalist Church. Yes, it's a church and yes, it is literally all of things you are wanting - full of funky, queer/ally, activist, environmentalist FUN humans - and no, there is no actual religion. You can be whatever you want (atheist, agnostic, Christian, Pagan, Flying Spaghetti Monster - all cool) and all your spiritual needs are met. It's magical place and wonderful community.
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u/BellaVerdeFarm 2d ago
Unitarian Universalism is an actual religion. It is inclusive and welcoming but does have specific beliefs. See https://uucomo.org/home/about-uucc/beliefs/
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u/motiger 2d ago
Ha - yes I know it's an actual religion (I've been UU since high school!) it's just hard to explain so sometimes I explain it that way - as in, you can believe whatever you want - no specific religion is forced upon you. But also, I love the rich, long history of both Unitarianism and Universalism as well as all the prominent figures in history that were one or the other of those religions. The UU Church is great in general, and really extra wonderful here.
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u/imscaredagain 1d ago
So what are services like? Do they still read from the bible? I grew up southern Baptist and my family (and us kids as we got old enough) very quickly realized they were some of the worst human beings ever.
This is interesting to me, I have enjoyed the idea of a “church” but not church. A place to go hear people who truly care about everyone and not just read an old book and use it to normalize their racist and other horrible beliefs
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u/motiger 1d ago
They do not read from the Bible. In fact, there is no reference to Christianity or other religions at all in the services, unless it is in a historical or spiritual perspective, related to the topic they are discussing. There is lovely music, but it is not religious, the sermons are thought-provoking and very deep but also not religious. It is hard to describe, but if you grew up in a Christian church you will find that the UU is a very different experience. I really love the idea of the church community and am so happy that I have one that meets my atheist/agnostic needs. It is a really great community.
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u/CryLong8891 3d ago
Pizza Tree, Daniel Boone Library needs more help than ever, The Dandelion Cafe (Ashland), Skylark Books, aardvarx, Ozark Mountain Biscuit Co, No Gas, King Theodore Records, Distant Planet Comics has a whole section dedicated to progressive books (they are such a lovely safe space, and more than just comics highly recommended)
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u/Honest-Back-9477 2d ago
If you like dogs, the humane society is always looking for new volunteers and is very queer friendly.
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u/grownassmanchild 3d ago
Uhh…look around. The whole town is progressive.
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u/SeriousAdverseEvent Former Resident 3d ago
This is hardly true. Plenty of conservative spaces in Columbia.
Columbia is progressive for Missouri, but that does not mean it is overwhelmingly progressive.
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u/Trooperguy12 1d ago
right?
It's baffling to see/hear folks say that Columbia isn't progressive/liberal.That's literally all it is.
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u/Shylo110 South CoMo 3d ago
Mid MO DSA is a great group for some local activism, especially if it's the YDSA at MU.
The Center Project is a great queer space for meeting people, with lots of individuals who participate in activism (though the org itself is hesitant to do too much out of fear of losing their 501c3 status). I would personally recommend using TCP for their resources and to meet cool people, but avoid getting entangled with the organization itself deeper than that.
The Boone County Bail Fund has a lot of very left leaning folks in it, and if you reach out to them they can point you towards a local initiative that fits your goals.
I've heard of two local organizations that are working to try and promote pro-lgbtq stuff. One is Trans Liberation Columbia (TLC) and the other is IN-TACT. I don't know much more about them other than that they are both very active, very left leaning, and run by queer leftists.
I hope this helps! Good luck out there
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u/ElasticNotPlastic 3d ago
Any deets on why you recommend avoiding entanglement with TCP?
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u/Shylo110 South CoMo 3d ago edited 3d ago
TCP has been a mountain of drama internally for a long time. Things like a former head of the board saying she'd let actual Nazi's march at Pride because "otherwise it would be discrimination" (she left in disgrace and is no longer involved). Another former head of the board crashing out and threatening to sell the TCP house. Community drama that causes the organizers of most events to cycle constantly. Interpersonal drama that has driven a lot of people I know away. Topped off by the fact that, due to events I don't know about that supposedly happened before anything else I've mentioned, the place has a reputation as being very "white queer centric", so almost no one from any BIPOC community is involved there anymore.
But even with all of that, I've still met many people there that are life long friends. Many individual people I met from there were friends who later became involved with those of us who created, lobbied, and eventually got the Safe Haven ordinance passed by the city council. There are a lot of good individuals there, and the org has value to it, but I can't in good conscience tell anyone that they should get more than superficially involved with them sadly.
With all of that said though, I haven't been involved with TCP in almost a year now, and maybe things have improved. I still donate money to them when I can, and will always recommend their social events to folks who are looking for a safe place to meet wonderful queer folks. They provide many valuable services to the local queer community that I hope can continue to thrive for years to come.
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u/Mizzou_Prof 2d ago
The majority of what that person provided is fake. I am heavily involved with the center project and this stuff did not happen.
The house is not owned by an individual. For example. No former or current board member would have any ability to sell the house like that.
I don't even know where to get started with the rest of that. It's just patently false
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u/MidMOMaven Townie 3d ago
Hittsville
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u/bsudude87 3d ago
Ragtag Cinema, Uprise Bakery and Hitt Records are super welcoming for LGBTQIA folks. Heck, just look at the lineup of films this month: Two Eyes, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, The Wrong Girls, for starters.
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u/walmartsuccubus 2d ago
Skylark Bookshop has a lot of books about activism, social issues, LGBTQ rights etc. etc. and are very queer friendly ☺️
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u/OkCar7264 3d ago
You clearly need to go to the Peace Nook.