Community is one of the most rewarding aspects of queer and trans culture. We all know how affirming it feels to connect with others who share similar life experiences and perspectives, even if just for a moment. In Washington, DC, entrepreneur Addison Moore fosters queer and trans community daily through their company, Dolly Queens Moving.
Founded in 2020, Dolly Queens Moving is a moving company built for and staffed by LGBTQ+ individuals. “It was originally started by a queer person with a truck who wanted to help queer and trans people,” Moore explains. Since then, Dolly Queens Moving has evolved into a busy business. Moore came across the company just a year after it started. A local LGBTQ+ Facebook group led them to a job with Dolly Queens Moving. Moore quickly came to see how integral the company was to the community and decided to put their energy into helping it evolve. Today, Moore owns the company.
“There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to moving your stuff,” Moore says. For most people, moving means stress. We either have to round up friends or hire strangers—usually cishet men—to come into our safe spaces and handle our most prized possessions. As a company owned and operated entirely by individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, Dolly Queens Moving offers its community another option.
Customers often explain that working with Dolly Queens Moving alleviates their fear about labeling boxes accurately or hiding who they are. The company serves many people with intersectional identities—such as community members who engage in sex work or who live with disabilities—who might feel less comfortable with traditional movers. “Repeat customers often say it feels like moving with friends,” Moore shares.
Not only does Dolly Queens Moving provide queer and trans customers with a safer way to move, it also provides queer and trans employees with a safe place to work. In fact, employee care is a key part of the business model. The company only operates in areas where the DMV metro offers service, as many of the employees do not have a car. All employees—drivers and movers—make a starting wage of $30 per hour. “This is a physically demanding job. I want to make sure people are getting paid what they’re worth for the energy they’re putting into it,” Moore says.
Dolly Queens Moving functions on a lean business model, with employees taking home the majority of the hourly fee charged to customers. The rest of the fee takes care of business necessities. In fact, Moore hasn’t turned a profit on the company yet. “I make money when I work a move,” Moore says. Moore is okay with that for now because they can see a clear vision for Dolly Queen’s future.
Eventually, Moore would like Dolly Queens Moving to offer services on a sliding scale so that every community member who needs their services can access them. “We’re trying to figure out how we can do that while making sure everyone makes a living wage,” Moore says. They’d also like to secure a truck for the company. Currently, they rent one out for moves, but ownership would lower costs and make the moves easier on employees.
“I want to make sure this is not just a business, but something that people in the community can use for a variety of reasons, whether that’s the services we offer or an opportunity to work,” Moore says. Whether hiring Dolly Queens Moving or working for them, Moore’s oversight ensures everyone who interacts with the company has an experience that is as safe, affordable, and accessible as possible.
