Board of Directors

Bellingham Queer Collective’s Board of Directors are volunteer leaders building community and support for LGBTQIA+ individuals through inclusive programs, affirming spaces, and collective care. We meet one evening a month for regular board meetings and other times for committee work. We also volunteer to host, facilitate, and support the many events, activities, and gatherings that are created by and for our community.

Interested in contributing your time, talent and lived experience as a Bellingham Queer Collective Board Member? Please email us at info@bellinghamqueercollective.org to learn more!

Meet our Board Members

  • Michelle Harmeier

    Board President
    Volunteer Executive Director

    All Pronouns

    Michelle retired in 2021 following a distinguished career in public education administration in California. After relocating to Bellingham during the post-COVID era, Michelle experienced firsthand the challenges of building community as a newcomer. Motivated by a desire to foster connection, they began organizing gatherings for LGBTQ+ individuals in the arts district—curating events such as film screenings at the Pickford Film Center and performances at the Mount Baker Theatre.

    Through this grassroots engagement, Michelle identified a widespread need for inclusive, intergenerational queer spaces and support resources. In response, they played a central role in founding the Bellingham Queer Collective (BQC) in 2023. Recognizing the importance of a safe, private, and accessible physical space for affinity groups and community programming, Michelle led efforts to establish the BQC Center—the first LGBTQ+ community resource center serving the region between Seattle and the Canadian border.

    Michelle currently serves as the full-time volunteer Executive Director of BQC.

  • Connie Gabelein

    Board Treasurer and Secretary
    Development Committee Chair

    She/Her

    Connie brings to our organization a professional background in web design, marketing, nonprofit management, and community engagement. She recently graduated from Washington State University with a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Social Sciences at the University of Washington.

    After spending a decade managing an animal welfare organization, Connie moved to Bellingham in 2020 to join PeaceHealth’s philanthropy team. She was also the Co-Chair of PeaceHealth Pride, a resource group for LGBTQ+ employees and allies. It was while coordinating PeaceHealth’s booth and sponsorship of Pride in Bellingham that she met Michelle Harmeier and was introduced to the BQC. Connie is now the Web Services Manager for the Washington State Department of Licensing, where she leads a team of web designers and content strategists.

    Connie oversees BQC’s marketing, fundraising, finance, and other “behind the scenes” projects. Preparing and filing our first IRS Form 990 in 2026 was one of her proudest moments as a Board Member.

  • Paris C

    Board Member

    he/him

    Paris has been a mental health support in the Bellingham community for the past 3 years. He has helped others navigate mental health crises, conflict mediation, and improve their self-confidence, self-advocacy, and wellness. One form of wellness that Paris encourages is movement and a great gathering of friends. He has led the annual coordination efforts for the Bellingham Erotic Ball, a friend-raising dance event hosted by the BQC, since its inception. He attributes his favorite planning experiences to being a RA and Graduate Hall Director for his alma maters, Jacksonville State University and Wake Forest University.