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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. We welcome all to engage with us!
We're Hiring!
We are hiring 6 for student staff positions!
- Community Development Coordinator (1) -Pride Housing Focus.
- Supports student development and community through Queer Guild Council, Pride Housing, and Core Events such as Trans Week
- Education & Advocacy Coordinator (2)
- Supports advocacy and transformational knowledge for students through educational events, materials, and support for civic engagement
- Intersectional Experiences Coordinator (1)
- Creates a more inclusive and welcoming campus through collaborative intersectional programming and affinity groups
- Media & Outreach Coordinators (2)
- Engages the Western community by overseeing LGBTQ+ Western social media, print design, and outreach campaigns
Affinity Space Summer Break
Our affinity spaces will be taking a break for the rest of finals week and this summer. They will return in the fall!
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 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
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.
Trans Day of Visibility 2025
In The News
Intergenerational drag show to celebrate solidarity and ‘mutual learning’
LGBTQ+ Western's Generations of Pride was highlighted by Cascadia Daily News. Includes quotes from JoeHahn, LGBTQ+ Director; Ayanna Phillips, Program Manager for LGBTQ+ Western and The Centers for Student Access, Community, and Interculutral Engagement; Sage Valentine, a Western alum (and former LGBTQ+ Western Drag Show Coordinator!), and Betty Desire, local legend and editor of The Betty Pages.
“It’s really important, especially as a younger queer person, to stay connected to queer elders and to celebrate them … especially in this current political climate,” said Sage Valentine, a local drag queen and one of the event’s co-hosts.
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.
Stay informed by registering for our newsletter. See our most recent newsletters in the Newsletter Archive.
Affinity Centered Programs
These spaces center certain populations. And, like all Western Washington University and LGBTQ+ Western events, all are welcome. Everyone is asked to come open-minded and attentive to the purpose of the space. 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 public 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 welcome and encouraged to bring a friend, come and go as needed, whatever you wish!
Learn more about all of our affinity centered programs here.
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.