Item 3: Black Widow MMA Presentation — original pdf
Backup
QUEER MMA AUSTIN PRESENTS QUEER FIGHT NIGHT ATX Spring 2027 • A community martial arts event for LGBTQIA+ Austin Who we are Founded in August of 2025, Queer MMA is a free, volunteer-run monthly martial arts program for Austin's LGBTQ+ community, hosted at Black Widow MMA — one of the state's most recognized LGBTQ-friendly gyms. Open to everyone All skill levels welcome. Participants range from beginner to advanced. Real instruction Rotating monthly technique focus - Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, & Muay Thai More than a class Partnerships with community orgs like Trans Education Network of Texas, allgo, Kind Clinic, Queer Black Women Alliance, and Autonomy Austin who provides resources on trans healthcare access in Texas. FREE every month, no cost barrier 100% volunteer-run coaching 321 unique registrations since Aug 2025 10-40 participants per session August 2025 October 2025 Why this matters Safety & self-defense Traditional martial arts spaces are often unwelcoming — or unsafe — for queer and trans people. Dedicated spaces remove that barrier at a time when our community faces rising hostility. Physical, mental, & emotional health Martial arts builds fitness, confidence, and body autonomy. For trans participants especially, feeling at home in your own body is powerful and rare. Community connection Training together builds deep trust. Queer MMA has become a monthly gathering point. Participants travel as far as Round Rock, San Antonio, College Station, and the Dominican Republic to attend our classes — a fight night scales that connection nationwide. Human Impact From 12 testimonials submitted by Queer MMA participants in July 2026 Respondents were 67% BIPOC and 58% low-income “ As a transgender woman I did not feel like I could ever go train at a gym without the sport being taken away from me because of prejudice. Spaces and opportunities like this are very important to me and other queer people alike — especially here in Texas. – Alessia “ I could just show up, train, and have fun without worrying about being judged for being gay. I could focus on learning martial arts instead of wondering if I needed to hide parts of myself or whether someone would treat me differently because of who I am. That feeling of safety is something I don't take for granted. - Alex “ “This group has made me feel so much safer and less alone in a world that is getting very scary for queer people. Queer MMA is a young and budding organization, and has already done so much. I truly feel it will help local community members develop into stronger and more confident people, as it has for me.” - Morgan “...[F]or those of us who are deeply marginalized, having access to a space where we can study, practice, and play is such a gift and honestly necessary. there’s something powerful about getting to embody my body, navigate contact with other bodies, and explore the vulnerabilities within these arts in an environment where i feel safe enough to learn, grow, and just be. . . [S]eeing y’all pour into the community moves me. regardless of age, queer and trans folks deserve spaces where we can build confidence, discipline, and trust in themselves without having to leave parts of who we are at the door. what y’all are building is bigger than martial arts—it’s community, belonging, and access, and I’m grateful to witness, participate and support it.” – Leo “Being able to feel and witness myself fight and feel strong has helped boost my personal sense of safety. They do an amazing job fostering a learning environment welcome for all levels. Classes are also a really great way to meet new people and try something new together! I've recommended a bunch of friends to try it out in the future and I believe it's an important resource for our community. I hope it can continue and live on for a very very long time!” – Chesa Pride Month Weekly Class Series THE COMPETITION GAP Trans athletes are being shut out of combat sports IBJJF — the largest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu federation in the world Since 2024, athletes must compete in the category matching their sex assigned at birth, regardless of transition. The federation reserves the right to demand original identity documents. USA Taekwondo & Boxing — Strict eligibility requirements Under new guidelines as of 2024, competitors must undergo gender reassignment surgery and take HRT for 4 years before becoming eligible to compete in their self-identified category. ADCC — grappling’s most prestigious circuit Adopted the same birth-sex requirement beginning with its 2024 edition. Texas school & college sports State law already bars trans students from competing consistent with their gender identity. The result: trans combat athletes train for years with nowhere to compete. Community- run events like Queer Fight Night are the only competitive stage still open to them. PROOF OF CONCEPT Seattle already did it — and it works 2021 Queer Fight Night inception 75+ Registered participants in Spring 2026 $4K raised — funding the event plus travel & registration for low- income fighters SubQ: From monthly classes to a regional tournament Seattle's Queer Fight Night grew from a monthly open-mat night into a semiannual Queer & Trans Martial Arts Tournament featuring Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Entirely volunteer-run, with sliding-scale entry so cost never blocks participation. Austin was there. In March 2026 our community fundraised to send the Queer MMA fight team to compete in Seattle — seminars, raffle, and a community kick-back at Black Widow MMA. The demand traveled home with us. Our community asked, when does Austin get one? Queer MMA in Seattle The vision: Queer Fight Night ATX A one-day celebration of queer martial arts — spring 2027 Exhibition & amateur matches Brazilian jiu-jitsu bouts featuring queer and trans athletes from not just Austin and Texas, but the US! Seminars & open mat Daytime workshops taught by queer-affirming instructors — beginners welcome, gear provided. Community village Tabling by local LGBTQ+ orgs, health resources, and queer-owned vendors. Accessible by design Sliding-scale tickets, no one turned away, ASL interpretation, and all-ages spectating. What Austin gets Safer community members Hundreds of LGBTQ+ Austinites introduced to self-defense training they can keep participating in year-round Civic visibility A first-of-its-kind event in Texas, positioning Austin as a leader in LGBTQ+ sport and wellness — consistent with the city's Quality of Life Study goals. Local economic activity Queer-owned vendors, local gyms, and a regional draw of visiting fighters, families, and fans. A repeatable model Spring 2027 is the pilot. Like Seattle, this can become a recurring event that grows its own sponsors and sustains itself. Budget: $10,000 Draft working budget — lean, volunteer-powered, and focused on safety and access. Venue, materials, and production Medical (EMTs) & event insurance Instructor & fighter travel stipends Officials, judges & timekeepers Safety equipment & gear Marketing & printing Accessibility & equity fund (ASL, ticket subsidies) Total $2,500 $2,000 $1,500 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $10,000 Our ask of the Commission 1. Funding 2. Help us spread the word 3. Stay connected We’re seeking City Council’s formal support for Queer Fight Night ATX, Champion our mission!!! Amplification Join us for a class! A point of contact on guidance toward any city funding through Commission and city channels the Commission — and we'll return after programs best suited to our work, and and inclusion in official LGBTQ+ event the event to report attendance, spending, opportunities for ongoing collaboration or communications. and outcomes. sponsorship with the city Road to fight night Summer 2026 Winter 2026–27 Post-event Commission presentation; identify funding paths; begin sponsor outreach Registration opens; marketing push with city & community partners Report back to Commission: attendance, budget, outcomes Fall 2026 Spring 2027 Lock date & vendors; confirm officials, medical & insurance; open instructor slots QUEER FIGHT NIGHT ATX Austin is ready for its first EVER Queer Fight Night. Help us make spring 2027 the night our community steps into the ring — safely, proudly, and together. info@coachluatx.com Queer MMA at Black Widow MMA • 10515 N Mopac Expy, Austin