Abraxas Jiu Jitsu will be both a safe haven and a premier training destination for underrepresented communities in martial arts. Our mission is rooted in years of proven commitment to creating inclusive, empowering spaces: for the past four years, our founders have hosted monthly Queer Fight Nights – all-levels classes and seminars led by LGBTQ+ martial artists across a wide range of disciplines. These events consistently draw 30–50 participants and offer instruction in self-defense, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, sword fighting, pepper spray use, and more.

We have also organized three QT Tournaments, which have brought together hundreds of queer and trans martial artists from over 16 U.S. states and 4 countries. These events are more than competitions, they are affirming spaces of visibility, camaraderie, and shared resilience. In an era when transgender participation in sports is increasingly politicized — and when many of our community members have experienced gender-based violence, harassment, and doxxing simply for showing up — our events create an alternative: a place where safety, respect, and joy are foundational, not negotiable.

Now, we are ready to establish a permanent home. While we are deeply thankful to the Seattle gyms that have hosted us so far, we envision a space that reflects our values from the ground up. At Abraxas Jiu Jitsu, we will cultivate a team that thrives on mutual care, technical excellence, and radical inclusion.

Our founding team is led by Molly Reis, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt with over 20 years of experience. She received her black belt in 2014 and is likely the highest-ranking trans woman in the sport today. Molly is a seasoned coach who has trained multiple world champions, and she is a sought-after instructor at QT Tournaments and seminars nationwide. After coming out as trans, Molly was told she could no longer represent her longtime gym and was forced to leave the team she had trained with for over a decade. The QT events and Queer Fight Nights became a refuge — and now, she is building a place where no one has to ask whether they belong.

Finding belonging is a life-saving endeavor for many transgender people. Social isolation, discrimination, and violence disproportionately affect trans individuals, especially those of color, leading to worse health outcomes and fewer opportunities for connection. Martial arts can offer a powerful antidote. The discipline, trust, and intimacy cultivated on the mats allow people to reconnect with their bodies, their power, and one another. For many of us, these practices are not only about self-defense, but also about self-worth — reclaiming confidence, building resilience, and forging bonds that transcend identity and geography.

Beyond the LGBTQ+ community, Abraxas Jiu Jitsu will offer affordable, high-quality martial arts instruction to the broader public. In a city where jiu jitsu memberships are often cost-prohibitive, our business model is intentionally designed to keep prices accessible without compromising quality. We believe everyone, regardless of income, deserves the chance to train, grow, and be part of something bigger than themselves.

Finally, by hosting all-inclusive jiu jitsu training camps, we will strengthen international networks of martial artists. While such camps are common abroad, they remain rare in the U.S. Abraxas Jiu Jitsu will be among the first schools to adopt this model domestically. With our extensive community ties, we will ensure that each camp features skilled, values-aligned instructors and a welcoming, respectful training environment.

Abraxas is more than a gym. It’s a movement — one that invites all people to take up space, train hard, and come home to themselves.