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LGBTQ+ Western works to advance the holistic thriving of diverse LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff at Western Washington University by collaboratively engaging the university community with transformational knowledge, resources, advocacy and celebration.
Updates
The Pride Celebration 2024 video is ready for viewing! Thank you University Marketing and Communications for your excellent filming and editing, and the Disability Access Center for the captioning.
The Lavender Graduation piece was not filmed to respect the privacy of our graduates.
LGBTQ+ Western will be part of the Pride IN Bellingham festivities again this summer on July 7th. Join us in the parade or visit our booth at the festival.
Parade will start around 11am, while the parade time is set from 11-2pm, we were done around 12:30 last year.
The Pride Celebration and Lavender Graduation we hosted on May 31st was an amazing success! Thank you for joining us in celebrating our graduates. Photos will be added to the site soon.
LGBTQ+ Western was awarded a $36,000 grant for Generations of Pride from the Sustainability, Equity, and Justice Fund (SEJF)
The grant will be used over the course of the 2024-2025 academic year to provide food for the Generations of Pride event, transportation for students to the Bellingham Senior Activity Center, supplies, a dedicated website, and the creation of a Generations of Pride Coordinator role.
I'd like to thank Kate McLean, Kaleb Starling, and Sof Trujillo for helping me create the grant proposal and present it to the committee.
We are excited to see how Generations of Pride will grow with this new grant!
-JoeHahn, LGBTQ+ Director
Upcoming Events
Our Services
LGBTQ+ Western provides support for all students, faculty, and staff at Western Washington University and its satellite campuses. We are engaged with various Whatcom County area programs, services, and non-profits. Each year we are seeing more LGBTQ+ students sharing their proud identities and navigating their college experiences. Explore our website to learn more. Here are some of our primary services:
- Peer Support & Mentorship
- Affinity Centered Programs
- Gender Affirming Care & Legal Name Change Support
- Consultation
- Generations of Pride
- Prospective Students and their Communities Support
- Alumni support
- LGBTQ+ Clubs Advising (Queer Guild Council)
- Lavender Graduation
- Trainings & Workshops
- Events like the Annual Drag Show, Queerientation, etc.
- Engagement with local Pride and other events
While our services center current students, we are a lifelong resource. If you graduate from Western and still need support such as discussing coming out to your supervisor, transitioning later in life, moving to a less LGBTQ+ friendly community, etc. we are here for you!
Please send any questions to lgbtq@wwu.edu. We try to respond within 48 business hours. We may have slower responses during our busy seasons such as Gaypril and the Pride Celebration.
Affinity Centered Programs
These spaces center certain populations. But like all Western Washington University and LGBTQ+ Western events, they are open for all. Anyone who does not identify with the affinity is asked to come open-minded and as an ally to support the people with the identity. If you are interested in starting another Affinity Centered Space, please email lgbtq@wwu.edu.
All of these spaces listed below are open to the community unless otherwise stated. We are committed to providing community spaces inclusive of community members, prospective students, alumni, faculty, and staff. We center the current students needs and cater the activities to that population, but all are welcome.
You are welcome to bring a friend, come and go as needed, whatever you wish!
New Affinity Programs
We are always exploring new affinity spaces for people within the LGBTQ+ community. Some ideas for affinity spaces may work better as an AS Club like the Lavender Menaces, T.A.G. Team, etc. We are always open for suggestions, email lgbtq@wwu.edu if you would like to see another affinity program.
Black LGBTQ+ Thriving Collective
The Black LGBTQ+ Thriving Collective exists to advance the holistic wellness and academic success of Black LGBTQ+ Western students. We do this by:
- Fostering social connection among peers
- Providing leadership development opportunities, including through programming
- Mentoring and connecting students with resources across the university, and
- Maintaining a regular line of communication with the LGBTQ+ Director as they work across the university to advance support for Black LGBTQ+ students
The Black LGBTQ+ Thriving Collective is a collaboration between LGBTQ+ Western and the Office of Multicultural Student Services. Join us; we are excited to connect with you!
Fall 2024 dates TBA!
Love Constellations (NEW!)
Love Constellations: Gathering for polyamorous and ethnically non-monogamous students of all genders and sexualities. Connecting to provide mutual advice, make friends, and discuss concepts, challenges, and joys within the poly and ENM community.
Currently planned for the Third Monday of each month from 4-5pm in Viking Union 735.
Oct 21st
Nov 18th
Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPOC) Community Check Ins
In collaboration with the Counseling and Wellness Center, we will host this affinity centered space focuses on queer and trans people of color as we discuss resources, current events, pop culture, etc that center Queer and Trans People of Color.
Fall 2024 Dates: Second and 4th Thursday of each month during regular session in Viking Union 740 from 4-5pm
- October 10th
- October 4th
- November 7th
- November 21st
Trans Tea
Trans Tea is a space for trans-spectrum and non-binary students and allies to come together to discuss current events, learn about services and resources, and enjoy tea and snacks. Our longest running Affinity Based Program!
Trans Tea will return this fall on these dates. The first and third Tuesday of every month!
- October 1st
- October 15th
- November 5th
- November 19th
- December 3rd
Gay, Bi, and Queer Men's Gatherings
These meetings are designed to support our Gay, Bi, and Queer Men on Campus. Empowering this community, establishing support systems, and networking is among many of the things we want to encourage! These spaces are inclusive for trans men and non-binary masculine people!
Fall 2024 dates To Be Announced
Juicy Fruit (NEW!)
Juicy Fruit: Gathering for Fat & Plus-Sized LGBTQ+ folks for a safe and affirming space.
This is to be scheduled, with a plan for 1-2 meetings per quarter.
Over the Rainbow (NEW!)
Over the Rainbow: This is a space for students who fit any of the following: graduate or postbaccalaureate students, students who have come out later in life, students that are outside the traditional college age of 18-24, students returning to higher education after time away, or any other group of students who want to be in community.
Coming Fall 2024. This group is planned to be hosted twice a quarter.
Rainbow Roots (New!)
Rainbow Roots: This affinity space is for students with LGBTQ+ family members or navigating their families as LGBTQ+ people. Family comes in infinite ways, and we are providing this space to help students discuss where family and their LGBTQ+ identities intersect. This includes people looking for information on how to support their queer family members. Meeting date TBA.
--We also suggest PFLAG Bellingham/Whatcom County for parents and families who want to support their queer family members.
Fall 2024 dates To Be Announced
Trans Femme Space (New!)
Trans Femmes: We have had requests for some more spaces dedicated to our Trans Femme students. This includes non-binary femmes and however else someone may define the intersection of the trans umbrella and femme identity. Group name to be decided, send us your suggestions at lgbtq@wwu.edu
Name Ideas so far: Trans-Femmeomenon
Meeting date TBA.