IMPORTANT MESSAGE:
In light of the most recent recommendations from the CDC to limit the size of all social and public gatherings, along with the Governor’s March 23 "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order for the State of Washington, the Viking Union will be closed to the public until further notice. For more details on this temporary closure of the Viking Union, and any other coronavirus related information, please visit WWU’s coronavirus resource site

Queer Resource Center

Queer Resource Center

The Associated Student's Queer Resource Center is a student-funded, student-run office providing queer resources, events, and community.

Visit us in VU 723A or on Facebook

Mission

The Queer Resource Center (QRC) provides non-judgmental and unbiased programs, a safe space, and resources to both students who identify as queer and their allies. The QRC does this by reaching out and building community among Western students of diverse backgrounds, advocating for and educating about the queer identity through events and programs, creating and affirming positive self-identities, networking with queer clubs, providing peer counseling services, and addressing current issues relevant to the queer community on campus and beyond.

Contact

In Person Viking Union 723A, 516 High Street, Bellingham WA 98225

(Directions from VU entrance: take the stairs or the elevator down one floor from the main floor that has the market and cafe. Head east towards the Information Desk, and we are down the hallway that's to the left of the copier machine room. Ask the Information Desk for help finding us.)

Facebook Message https://www.facebook.com/asQRCofWWU/

By Phone (360) 650-6120

(This is not a guaranteed method of contacting us, because one of us may not be in the office when you call us.)

By Email

Community Engagement Coordinator - as.qrc.community.engage.coord@wwu.edu

Advocacy Coordinator - as.qrc.advocacy.coord@wwu.edu

Educational Programming Coordinator - as.qrc.educational.program.coord@wwu.edu

(There are three employees at the QRC, and there is no top 'director.' Feel free to contact one or all of us, as we are in communication with each other and are all equally capable and willing to help.)

News

Follow the QRC Facebook Page for up-to-date news and events!

Western Front Articles

Local drag performers raise over $1000 for Sean Humphrey House, Slay the Stage

Trans week of remembrance honors elders, community

Queer and women centered self-defense event showed need for similar Workshops

Annual drag show lights up western

Redefining masculinity

LGBTQ+ activist Sabina Neem speaks at western

Western community stands in solidarity with Orlando

Transgender week of remembrance held on campus



Services

Safe Space

Our office, located in VU 515, provides a safe space for everyone to find support and be themselves. We operate on a STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL basis so everyone is guaranteed safe support. We are an office run by dedicated students, and we do our best to provide you the space and support you need. If we are unable to provide that for you, we will work with you to find the best resources on campus or in Bellingham.

Resource Library

Our office contains an extensive collection of resources such as memoirs, fiction, nonfiction, periodicals, pamphlets, DVDs, and information files on LGBTQ related issues. Check out our collection

Referral

We can connect you with campus and community services, and we always keep referrals anonymous.

Speakers Bureau

We hold speaker events, panels, seminars, discussions and more to engage and educate the student body about issues that the LGBT community face. Speakers bring their unique perspective and expertise to shed light on the nuances and struggles of intersectional identities. We also provide educational programs, available to Resident Advisers and professors, which serve to address issues regarding bias, stereotypes, pronouns, and more. For questions or if you want to suggest a speaker, please email the Educational Programming Coordinator at as.qrc.education@wwu.edu

Social Opportunities and Special Events

Our office plans events and programs throughout the year to provide a social and educational space for queer students and allies. These activities usually include, but are not limited to, dances, speakers, workshops, and the QRC's annual drag show. To be in the loop about our upcoming events Like our Facebook page



Resources

We are an office run by dedicated students, and we do our best to provide you the space and support you need. If we are unable to provide that for you, we will help you find the best resources on campus or in Bellingham. If you have any questions about resources on or off campus feel free to contact us through Facebook, call 360-650-6120, or email one of us. (Our emails can be found on the Staff or Home page.) Email or Facebook would be the best ways to reach us.

Helpful Western & Bellingham Resources

ON CAMPUS

OFF CAMPUS

Some Helpful Definitions

Assigned sex The sex that is assigned to an infant at birth based on the child’s visible sex organs, including genitalia and other physical characteristics

Gender A set of social, psychological, or emotional traits, often influenced by societal expectations, that classify an individual as male, female, a mixture of both/neither or other.

Lesbian A woman who is emotionally, romantically, and/or physically attracted to other women.

Gay The adjective used to describe people who are emotionally, romantically, or physically attracted to people of the same gender. In contemporary contexts, “lesbian” is often a preferred term for women, though many women use the word “gay” to describe themselves.

Bisexual An individual who is emotionally, romantically, and/or physically attracted to the same gender and different genders. Sometimes stated as “bi.” People who are bisexual need not have had equal sexual experience with people of the same or different genders and, in fact, need not have had any sexual experience at all.

Transgender Sometime shortened to “trans.” A term describing a person’s gender identity that does not necessarily match their assigned sex at birth.

Asexual An individual who does not experience sexual attraction. There is considerable diversity among the asexual community; each asexual person experiences things like relationships, attraction, and arousal somewhat differently. Asexuality is distinct from celibacy or sexual abstinence, which are chosen behaviors, while asexuality is a sexual orientation that does not necessarily entail either of those behaviors. Some asexual individuals do have sex, for a variety of reasons.

Pansexual A person whose emotional, romantic, and/or physical attraction is to people of all gender identities and biological sexes.

Queer The word "queer" used to be (and sometimes still is) used as a derogatory term for LGBTQ people. However, it has been reclaimed by many people in the LGBTQ community. It is often used as an umbrella term for LGBTQ people, but is also used as an individual identity by some who do not feel they fit into other categories of sexual orientation. Queer is a word that blurs both gender and sexual orientation.

Ally A person who is a member of the "dominant" or "majority" group who works to end oppression in their personal and professional life through support of and advocacy for the oppressed population; a friend to the community.

Coming Out For most people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, the process of self-acceptance that continues throughout one’s life, and the sharing of the information with others; often a public declaration of being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer.



Staff

Nichole Vargas she/her

Community Engagement Coordinator

Major/Year Environmental Policy with a minor in Political Science/Sophomore

Why did you seek to be in this position?

I LOVED being an intern here last year. I met so many amazing and loving people, I had to come back for another year! Being a part of the QRC has really made me feel a part of the queer community here, which was a feeling of connectivity that I didn’t get back in my hometown. The QRC has helped me a ton, and now I wanna help others!

What are you excited about for this year?

I have the wonderful opportunity of putting on a bunch of sweet events, meeting and connecting with people, and working with two fantastic peeps!

What are your special interest for the office?

Definitely building and strengthening community (as my job title suggests..) Especially amongst queer people of color. As a QTPOC, it can be really lonely and emotionally distressing to constantly be around heterocentric and white centric spaces. I know more of us are out there, we just gotta find each other and unite! Beautiful things will happen.

What can students come to you for?

Absolutely anything! I love helping out and being of service to people, however much I can! So much that I need to be reminded that I need to take of myself too… I love solving problems and discussing issues that someone may have, I’m also really willing to just talk about your day!

What’s a favorite activity of yours?

I’m a fan of reading, being in the outdoors, running and hiking, watching movies, etc. I love talking and connecting with people, and I also LOVE dogs.