Want to enter an LGBTQ+ metaverse? Well, it’s happening anyway

A French crypto firm has announced an LGBTQ-focused Metaverse named Qtopia.

Cryptographic Blockchain Industries (CBI) announced the project Friday (27 May) as “the first metaverse by and for the LGBTQ community”. It will be released in 2023.

“Qtopia is a virtual community space where members can interact and express themselves like never before,” CBI writes. “Qtopia provides a sense of belonging and a way to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community’s unique history, diversity, and culture.”

The expansive crypto-oriented program will be located within a larger umbrella metaverse called the “AlphaVerse” which aims to combine “many different universes”.

Qtopia itself will feature an expected array of NFTs that will be purchasable using cryptocurrencies and its own currency called UniQoin, which will be “focused on supporting LGBTQ-friendly businesses both online and offline”.

Before going live, those who sign up can purchase virtual real estate including a variety of overly colourful houses, apartments and other types of properties.

“Qtopia will support the community by not only giving them a space to meet virtually from all over the world but also financially,” developer and former co-founder of the LGBTQ+ social app Qutie Rachel Kimelman said.

“Part of our sales will be donated to charity and our currency will be focused on helping LGBTQ businesses.”

Frédéric Chesnais, the CEO of AlphaVerse, said: “As AlphaVerse continues to grow, we want to make sure it is inclusive and offers spaces for everyone. Qtopia is exactly the kind of community we want to welcome into the Metaverse.”

The announcement also comes with a rather quaint overhead picture of the Qtopia map. There are four islands with 44 districts, the names of which are chosen with LGBTQ+ community significance in mind.

The four islands, one of which is shaped like a unicorn, are Qtopia City, Sapphire Island, Isla De Fuego, and Celebration island.

The Map of Qtopia (Image: AlphaVerse)

Users can buy plots of land with their cryptocurrency and can combine them to form massive zones for players to use as they wish. There are over 177,000 total parcels of land in Qtopia.