Do communes like this actually work? I won't say I'm not drawn to the idea, but the history of utopian socialist communities in the US is mostly tragic. I've heard about successful indigenous communes in latino america, but afaik they are based in a cultural background and political practice that most americans don't have access to.

Unless of course "commune" here really means living with trustworthy room mates who know how to share, so you don't have to do that sitcom thing with the tape for all the common storage spaces.

Look up Tenacious Unicorn Ranch (TUR) out in CO. They've probably got some connections. Find your local anarchist or lefty group, or your local pride center and ask around at different queer social groups. In person asking around is probably going to be key. Communes probably aren't something that's going to have much of a public profile... except for TUR, they're kinda known for being overtly heavily armed.

This will probably be something you have to set up on your own. I know a lot of trans people living together with other trans people, but most of the time that's just 3 or 4 people who are all part of the same polycule, and if they aren't dating it consists of people who've asked for roommates on a local trans discord or have put up a flyer at a queer venue around town.

It's mostly informal, and most are ran by older (35+) trans people so try to ask around in that demo. I could ask around for you I run one myself but my people that I know are all filled up. Ultimately the best commune is the one you start.

I would say trans and queer communes are probably the largest kind of intentional community there's quite a lot but they don't advertise for obvious security reasons. There are legitimate issues with chasers and right wingers trying to stake communes out.

Missouri is a pretty red place, so hit a blue island (KC, Columbia, or STL) and hit up the big university. Haunt some of the less flashy bars for anyone that seems chill. If you're lucky, or it's Columbia, there's already a bar for it. Arch and Column in Columbia has a pride flag flying out front. Ask those folks, as I'm sure anything here in Missouri is pretty discreet. As a straight white man, I've never heard of anything, but it's probably the point.

Bump + need