What does it mean to find somewhere you can fully be yourself?
In my article The Queer Art of Belonging, published in the August 2026 issue of Embrace, I explore the connection between LGBTQIA+ wellbeing, breathwork and finding our people.
After more than two decades of creating inclusive events and community spaces, belonging remains at the heart of my work. Somewhere to laugh, connect, dance or simply sit quietly without having to explain who you are.
The article reflects on the role alcohol has played in queer social spaces, and why we also need welcoming alternatives for people who are sober, in recovery, don’t drink or find busy nightlife overwhelming. We all deserve opportunities to experience joy and connection.
I also share how my journey into breathwork has shaped Re:source: creating opportunities to pause, reconnect with ourselves and build community through music, creativity, nature and shared experiences.
There’s room for laughter in wellbeing, too. You don’t have to survive on kale and good intentions to take a conscious breath.
Read The Queer Art of Belonging in Embrace’s August 2026 issue (PDF)
Hazel O’Keefe
Restore. Reconnect. Revive. Repeat.
