The Autonomy Project

Between the summer heat and worldly pressures, burnout seems to be looming in every corner. Battle the burnout through community and connection with Autonomy Project!
Upcoming events:
Q***r Magical Gatherings (7/10)
Art, Paint & Create (7/15)
Lavender Library - Bookclub or Blockbusters? (7/23)

ICYMI: Bingo will be returning 8/15!

📸 : .skau (Fixed by Felix Photography)

HEAT WAVE RESOURCES -- Please share these Columbus resources and check in on your neighbors. Take care of each other.

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Below is a map and list of the nearest cooling centers:
https://www.columbus.gov/Government/Mayors-Office/Find-Nearest-Cooling-Centers

🌡️ Community Cooling Centers
Beginning Tuesday, June 30, 2026 Columbus Recreation and Parks Department will open five regional cooling centers, operating daily from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., until the heat subsides:

Dodge Community Center – 667 Sullivant Ave., 43215
Driving Park Community Center – 1100 Rhoads Ave., 43206
Glenwood Community Center – 1888 Fairmont Ave., 43223
Linden Community Center – 1350 Briarwood Ave., 43211
Marion Franklin Community Center – 2801 Lockbourne Rd., 43207
All other community centers remain open for regular programming and are available for residents to cool down during hours of operation.
🔗 Full list and hours: https://columbusrecparks.com/wellness/keep-cool-with-us/

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🏊 Pools & 💦 Spraygrounds
Beginning Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Outdoor Pools will extend hours from 1– 8 p.m. daily starting June 30. Admission is FREE until the heat subsides. A Leisure Card is still required.
Spraygrounds and Fountains at Barnett, Blackburn, Linden, and Scioto Southland will operate 12 – 8 p.m., FREE of charge.
🔗 Full list and hours: https://columbusrecparks.com/wellness/keep-cool-with-us/

(Please check pool status and capacity limits before visiting and remember to follow all posted rules for safety.)

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📚 Columbus Metropolitan Libraries
All library branches are open until 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. (please check location) and provide a safe, air-conditioned space for cooling off.
🔗 Find your nearest branch: Library Locations | Columbus Metropolitan Library

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🚍 Free COTA Rides
COTA will waive all fares through Thursday, July 2 to ensure residents can access cooling centers and essential services safely.

Free service includes:
Fixed-route bus lines
COTA Mainstream
COTA//Plus
https://cota.com/blog/cota-announces-no-fares-for-june-30-july-2-after-national-weather-service-issues-heat-advisory/
cota.com (updated info here)

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👵 Resources for Seniors
Franklin County residents 60+ can request a FREE box fan through the Office on Aging.

Request online: officeonaging.org/boxfan
Or call: 614-525-6200

You're tired. You're activated. You're carrying something heavy and you haven't put it down in months.

Put it down for one night. You've earned it.

Rainbow Riot is a Pride dance party for everyone who needs somewhere to put their joy, grief, rage, hope, exhaustion, and love.. all at once, in the same room, with people who get it without explanation.

Three q***r femme DJs spinning pop and feral house all night. A dance floor built for your whole body. A memorial altar for the q***r elders who couldn't be here. A listening zone. A rainbow photobooth. A community dream board. And a mock protest march that starts on stage and takes over the building.

The first Pride was a riot. We haven't forgotten and neither should you.

Georg1a · DJ Maneater · DJ RaveKatt

📍 Start here if you're new to us.

The Autonomy Project is for the q***rs, the sx workers, the BIPOC folks, the kinksters, the trans people, the neurodivergent, the ones who've been told they're too much or not enough. If mainstream spaces have ever made you feel like an outsider, then this is the space for you. No one belongs here more than you.

We run events, workshops, and programming out of Wicked Eden, our 6,000 sq ft community home on Columbus's south side. We are the third space you've always wanted but never knew existed.

We are entirely volunteer run by q***r folks and our building is community owned. We embody "for us, by us" in everything we do.

Most of our events live over at the Wicked Eden page, but the best way to stay in the loop is a free account at AutonomyProject.org -- because unfortunately Meta and it's algorithms want us to pay for you to see our posts.

Our website is also where you can see all the events and details and where you can register directly for events, sign up to volunteer, donate, and more.

You can also join Autonomy Project Community where we kinda sorta post things, but you can ask questions and vibe.

Interested in volunteering? Hell yeah, get in here by going to APVolunteer.com and learning more.

Community is survival. See you June 20th.

Limited sliding scale tickets available (online only)

And snag some delicious beverages from .velvethammer and Ghost!

We're getting nerdy this Saturday night!

One of our favorites is coming up, Saturday June 13th, 7pm to 11pm 🤓 Join us for Tavern Night at The Autonomy Project, where we'll be playing board games, rolling dice, and spending time with friends.

Link in the comments!

1 DAY LEFT UNTIL WICKED WONDERS! 😍

It's almost time! Are you looking for something wicked, or a wonderful new trinket? Our market this weekend may have just what you're hoping for.

With over a dozen local vendors - you won't want to miss what they have to share!

Saturday April 18th
Free for Members, $5 for Non-Members
The Autonomy Project, 2912 S High St Columbus OH 43207

2 DAYS LEFT UNTIL WICKED WONDERS! 😍

Looking for a reason to get out of the house this weekend? But you still want to be comfy and amongst friends? Wicked Wonders Market will be just that.

With more than a dozen local artists and vendors, there's sure to be something for everyone.

12p to 5pm
Saturday April 18th
Free for Members, $5 for Non-Members
The Autonomy Project, 2912 S High St Columbus OH 43207

5 DAYS LEFT UNTIL WICKED WONDERS! 😍

Could you use the chance to get out of the house and see shiny new trinkets? Our local vendors have you covered.

12p to 5pm
Saturday April 18th
Free for Members, $5 for Non-Members
The Autonomy Project, 2912 S High St Columbus OH 43207

Midweek can feel… like a lot.

Wicked Munch is a place to step out of that for a bit.

No pressure, no performance - just a casual space to sit, snack, and talk with people who actually get what consent-forward, community-centered space feels like.

You don’t need to know anyone.
You don’t need to have the “right” words.
You can show up exactly as you are.

If you’ve been thinking about coming to something, this is one of the easiest places to start.

Wednesday. We’ll be here.

👉 Details + registration in the comments