In a world where inclusion and safety are paramount, one Brazilian entrepreneur is making waves in Portugal with The Queer Spot, an app that promises to transform the way the LGBTQ+ community connects in Portugal. The team at Portugal.com met Roger Junior, founder of The Queer Spot, at Web Summit 2024 in Lisbon and wanted to share his LGBTQ+ initiative with a wider audience, as we know how hard it can be enough to find community in a new country, or find community in general. Now, the LGBTQ+ community can find spaces, events and venues across the country.  

Starting the Queer Spot

When Roger Junior moved to Portugal with his husband two years ago, the challenges of adapting to a new culture were compounded by the struggle to find safe and welcoming spaces as members of the LGBTQ community. “Can you imagine how much harder it is if you’re a queer person, fearing for your safety?” he shared. Although Portugal is a relatively safe haven for LGBTQ+ rights, the need for easily accessible safe spaces remains critical.

This personal journey inspired Roger to create what he wished had existed during his early days in Portugal: The Queer Spot.

Tapping into a Thriving Yet Overlooked Market

The LGBTQ+ market, if united as a single country, would form the third-largest economy in the world. However, this active community often remains underserved. This gap is precisely what The Queer Spot seeks to address.

The app helps users navigate Portugal’s LGBTQ+ scene with ease. It offers curated lists of safe venues, social events, and exclusive community spaces, all filtered by unique LGBTQ+ interests. Its AI-powered curator aggregates information from social media and websites, which effectively creates a one-stop platform for queer-friendly experiences.

Since its launch, The Queer Spot has built a loyal user base of over 1,500 registered members, with 60 venues mapped in eight major regions in Portugal and more than 1,500 events pulled from the web and social media through AI. The app is already generating revenue through ticket sales, where a small commission on each sale supports its operations.

But Roger’s vision extends far beyond Portugal. With scalability at its core, The Queer Spot is primed for international expansion, targeting major LGBTQ+ markets like Brazil, the US, Spain, the UK, and Germany. So far, the Queer Spot has mapped more than 4,000 venues across these global markets and more than 30,000 events.

In addition to bridging the gap in accessible safe spaces, The Queer Spot tackles another pressing issue: the disconnect between brands and the LGBTQ+ audience. By creating a space tailored specifically to the community, the app not only fosters a sense of belonging but also opens new avenues for businesses to connect authentically with this dynamic market.

The Future Is Bright

As The Queer Spot grows, its potential for monetization is immense. Beyond ticket sales, the app plans to explore partnerships, sponsorships, and premium memberships, with the aim to make it a go-to app for LGBTQ+ tech innovation.

For Roger Junior, this is just the beginning, and he really hopes that The Queer Spot can transform the LGBTQ+ community.  With its focus on UX/UI and innovative use of AI, The Queer Spot app is set to transform not just Portugal but the entire LGBTQ+ tech landscape. For LGBTQ+ individuals looking for connection and safety, the future has never looked brighter. Download The Queer Spot from Google Play or the App Store and find your community, wherever you are.  You can also follow The Queer Spot on Instagram.