About & Contact
Our Mission
The mission of LGBTQ+ Western is to advance the holistic thriving of diverse LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff by collaboratively engaging the Western community with transformational knowledge, resources, advocacy, and celebration. LGBTQ+ Western is committed to learning about and celebrating sexual orientation and gender identity diversity as they intersect with race, ethnicity, nationality, ability, religion, and other aspects of identity and experience.
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.
Our History
LGBTQ+ Western became a department under the Student Affairs Division in 2018. Litav Langley (they/them) served as the first LGBTQ+ Director until 2022. JoeHahn, the current LGBTQ+ Director, started in August 2022. Our Program Manager Ayanna Phillips joined the team in a new permanent professional staff role, Program Manager, in July 2023.
Our history predates the formal department though. Previously LGBTQ+ services were provided by students under the Associated Student offices. These offices changed names many times over the years. The Union for Sexual Minorities, Queer Resource Center, Women's Center, Gender Liberation Center are all previous student offices. In 2022, the Queer Resource Center and Gender Liberation Center merged with LGBTQ+ Western. This brought the student run activities, such as our annual drag show, in further collaboration with our LGBTQ+ services such as Gender Affirming Care. This merger allows us to centralize our support systems for LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff.
Programs such as Lavender Graduation, a celebration of LGBTQ+ graduates and Safe Zone, training for LGBTQ+ allies, have previously existed at Western but were discontinued due to the lack of professional support. Now LGBTQ+ Western and our campus partners are bringing back these services and events while adding new ones too, such as Generations of Pride.
As we look toward 2024-2025 and beyond, we will expand our Affinity Centered Programs and connect students, faculty, staff, and alum to more resources around campus and the larger community.
Contact LGBTQ+ Western
LGBTQ+ Western can be visited in the Viking Union.
You can contact us with the links below. Or find a specific professional staff member.
LGBTQ+ Director
JoeHahn
Pronouns: He/They
Multicultural Center, Viking Union 755
(360) 650-7583
hahnj7@wwu.edu or lgbtq@wwu.edu
Office Hours:
In person: Thursdays 1-2pm
Virtual: Fridays 10am-11am on Zoom
Schedule meeting with JoeHahn on Calendly.
Meetings need to be scheduled within 24 hours in advance. Call if a more urgent meeting is needed please.
Program Manager for LGBTQ+ Western & The Centers
Ayanna Phillips
Pronouns: She/her
Multicultural Center, Viking Union 746
(360) 650-4556
ayanna.phillips@wwu.edu or lgbtq@wwu.edu
Office Hours:
In person: Mondays from 1pm-2pm in VU 746
Virtual: Wednesdays from 10am-11am on zoom.
Schedule a Meeting with Ayanna on Bookings
Meetings need to be scheduled within 24 hours in advance. Call if a more urgent meeting is needed please.
Student Staff
Community Development Co-Coordinators: Support LGBTQ+ clubs and organizations and larger events
Education & Advocacy Co-Coordinators: Create educational programs and work with Associated Students to advocate for LGBTQ+ issues.
Media & Outreach Co-Coordinators: Create social media content and event advertisements for the department.
QTPOC Thriving Co-Coordinators: Collaborate with The Office of Multicultural Student Services to create programming and services that support Queer and Trans Students of Color (QTPOC)
Generations of Pride Coordinators work with Bellingham Queer Collective, PFLAG, and other organizations to create host our intergenerational LGBTQ+ gatherings.
LGBTQ+ Intern: A position for work study students to connect their areas of interest and study with services and program with LGBTQ+ Western.
We currently have 2 students in each coordinator role. We will search for the Intern role in the fall.
Seasonal:
Drag Show Coordinator(s) Dec-April
This position will support our Community Development Coordinators in planning the annual drag show.
Student staff typically have office hours during the academic year in VU 723 from 10am-5pm M-Th and 10am-4pm on Fridays.
LGBTQ+ Student Staff Office
Viking Union 723
Current Office Hours
M: 10-5
T: 10-5
W: 10-5
Th: 10-5
F: 10-4
Office hours may vary based on events and intersession.
LGBTQ+ Western professional staff are available M-F 8am-5pm.
LGBTQ+ Lounge
Viking Union 722
Open during regular Viking Union hours. Please contact the Information Desk if the door is locked.