Queer chapter builds connections, community

Just months after launching a chapter aimed at connecting the university카지노 게임 컬렉션�s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two spirit, and other identifying (LGBTQ2S+) students, alumni, faculty, and staff, Stacy Kelly, Artsci카지노 게임 컬렉션�93, says the group is answering an important need in the community.

Kelly, the Queen카지노 게임 컬렉션�s Queer Alumni Chapter (QQAC) president and one of its founding members, says a series of successful events 카지노 게임 컬렉션� including their launch event in December 카지노 게임 컬렉션� has demonstrated how the chapter is vital to connecting Queen카지노 게임 컬렉션�s LGBTQ2S+ community.

카지노 게임 컬렉션�The benefit from (the events) was we had folks from southern Ontario, northern Ontario,카지노 게임 컬렉션� says Kelly. 카지노 게임 컬렉션�We had folks from out west, from Montreal. It was pan-regional, pan-provincial, which was great and showed there was a need for a group like this. We are a growing chapter in only our first year of operation.카지노 게임 컬렉션�

In addition to Kelly, the chapter카지노 게임 컬렉션�s founders include Jennifer Reynolds, Com'13, Nichola Burnside-Marshall, Artsci카지노 게임 컬렉션�19, MPA카지노 게임 컬렉션�20, and Gage Benyon, Artsci카지노 게임 컬렉션�19. The group is supported by a dedicated volunteer committee that also includes Kianah Lécuyer, Artsci카지노 게임 컬렉션�19, Guy Raffaele, Sc카지노 게임 컬렉션�86, Sheri Krell, Artsci카지노 게임 컬렉션�08, MIR카지노 게임 컬렉션�09, and Kiah O카지노 게임 컬렉션�Flanagan-Tasse, Artsci카지노 게임 컬렉션�19.

Taking inspiration from other chapters

In creating the chapter, Kelly says they took inspiration from the Queen카지노 게임 컬렉션�s Black Alumni Chapter (QBAC) and the Queen카지노 게임 컬렉션�s Indigenous Alumni Chapter (QIAC). Formed in 2017, the Black Alumni Chapter has been working to create a lifelong sense of belonging among Black alumni, students, and faculty. The Office of Indigenous Initiatives and Queen카지노 게임 컬렉션�s Office of Advancement work in partnership to support the Indigenous alumni chapter카지노 게임 컬렉션�s extensive alumni network and connect with current Indigenous students and alumni across Canada.

카지노 게임 컬렉션�We카지노 게임 컬렉션�ve made contacts with the QBAC who I think are just phenomenal,카지노 게임 컬렉션� says Kelly. 카지노 게임 컬렉션�They were an inspiration to us along with the QIAC. We look to the leaders of those groups for inspiration. They have been open and helpful and gracious with their time. One of the key people with QBAC is also one of our key people and that카지노 게임 컬렉션�s been a helpful bridge.카지노 게임 컬렉션�

With the groundwork laid, Kelly says the goal now is to start growing the chapter to provide support for all people 카지노 게임 컬렉션� faculty, staff, and students.

카지노 게임 컬렉션�If you are 16, 17, or 18 years old and you are looking at Queen카지노 게임 컬렉션�s, there should be more information about being queer at Queen카지노 게임 컬렉션�s,카지노 게임 컬렉션� Kelly says. 카지노 게임 컬렉션�We need to do this. It카지노 게임 컬렉션�s important 카지노 게임 컬렉션� it카지노 게임 컬렉션�s not just about the alumni, it카지노 게임 컬렉션�s about our future students and future and current staff and faculty. We are trying to fill a gap that wasn카지노 게임 컬렉션�t really being serviced, in our view, and we hope to be a conduit to resources and referrals.카지노 게임 컬렉션�

Looking ahead

Looking forward, Kelly and the organizing committee have big plans to build the membership and eventually expand globally. To reach that goal and help raise the visibility of the chapter, they are planning events including Pride at the Pub at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, June 8 in Toronto to kick off Pride Month. Kelly adds the chapter is not intended to be Toronto-centric, but given the strong Queen카지노 게임 컬렉션�s alumni presence in the city, it serves as an ideal place to host this in-person event.

카지노 게임 컬렉션�I카지노 게임 컬렉션�d like to see QQAC Vancouver, QQAC St. John카지노 게임 컬렉션�s,카지노 게임 컬렉션� says Kelly. 카지노 게임 컬렉션�In an ideal world, we카지노 게임 컬렉션�ll have chapters all over the globe. Wherever you are in your journey, if you think it would be valuable, we카지노 게임 컬렉션�d love to be there for you.카지노 게임 컬렉션�

Kelly adds they are also looking at the marquee keynote event in the fall and possibly being included in Queen카지노 게임 컬렉션�s Homecoming activities from Oct. 28-30. They are also starting to organize a mentorship program that would match alumni with current students.

To learn more, visit the Queen카지노 게임 컬렉션�s Queer Alumni Chapter webpage.