Building a diverse queer community in Central Massachusetts was the mission three friends had in mind when they created Airspray in the fall of 2013. Now nearly 1 year old, the community-based group for LGBTQ 20- and 30-somethings is thriving and expanding its reach in the area.

Co-founders Ashley Emerson Gilbert, Heather Mangione and Ryan Williams were just three young professionals living and working in Worcester who wanted an outlet to express themselves artistically and engage with friends and other like-minded members of the queer community. Airspray attracts a diverse crowd of minglers during its community events, which include a monthly dance party at Electric Haze on Millbury Street.

“We host monthly queer dance parties, bringing out at least 150 people on average each time. We’ve had huge success with other cultural events, and most recently, we hosted a queer memoir performance by Stephen Caldwell at the Worcester Historical Museum that was at maximum capacity,” Mangione said.

Gilbert, Mangione and Williams realized that they and many of their friends were driving much too far ~ Boston, Providence, Northampton, etc. ~ to partake in queer social events, so they decided to take the leap and create their own group based right in Worcester. And, so far, “We’ve had great success in mobilizing the community! We have been very clear about our interest in making partnerships and collaborations in the community, and the response has been overwhelmingly supportive!” Gilbert said. “And we look forward to working with more and more community groups in the future.”

This fall, Airspray is planning a lineup that includes hosting a Worcester Pride after-party, featuring Providence’s DJ Andy Morris at Electric Haze, on Sept. 6 and a speakeasy-themed party at ArtsWorcester in November. The group will also march in the Worcester Pride parade.

“We love the folks at Worcester Pride! They are such amazing, talented community organizers, and we can’t wait for the Pride events this September!” Gilbert said.

Williams, one of the founders, has just moved to Dallas, but Airspray will continue with his blessing. “We’re sad to lose Ryan as an integral part of our group but thrilled that he is moving on to accept a job! We hope he can create and foster a queer community in Dallas, as he did in Worcester with us,” Mangione said.

Since one of the goals of Airspray is artistic expression, the group will continue to reach out to the community for input about how to expand its network and the slate of events through the fall and into 2015. “We believe in and support the arts as a cultural connector for a community. Everyone can enjoy performances, and we try to keep our events free and accessible to everyone,” Gilbert said.

The group plans extensive campus outreach at college communities this fall to get the next generation of LGTBQ young adults and their allies involved. “We hope to just spread the word about our group and listen to what the community wants! We will be ‘flyer-ing’ on each college campus about our events, and we’ve been in touch with many of the LGBTQ-positive student organizations. Leanne Quackenbush, of Worcester State University, has recently taken the initiative to bring together the organizers of the LGBTQ groups of the local colleges, and that is very exciting; we look forward to making more connections!”

Keep up with everything Airspray through Facebook (Airspray Worcester) and Twitter (@airspraywstr). You can also e-mail the group at airspraywstr@gmail.com

By Mike Wood | Photos by Jon Bettinger