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The Bellingham Queer Collective connects, celebrates, unites, and advocates for the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. |
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| | December 2025 BQC Newsletter |
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Dear Friends,
As we close out 2025—a year that has brought its share of challenges—we are filled with gratitude for the strength, resilience, and care that define our community. Together, we look toward 2026 with hope, knowing that when we gather around the arts, movement, nature, and shared connection, we create moments of joy that carry us forward.
Our commitment remains unwavering: to nurture the well-being of our local queer community by fostering friendships, belonging, and meaningful support. Through our affinity groups, drop-in hours at the Center, wellness classes, counseling support groups, and community events, we continue to build spaces where every person can feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
This year, thanks to the incredible dedication of more than 180 volunteers, we are hosting 23 affinity groups each month—at our BQC Center, the Senior Activity Center, and in some of our favorite local businesses. Your energy and passion make these gatherings possible.
We’re also proud to offer over 25 hours of drop-in time each week at the Center, giving folks a welcoming place to relax, work, play, and connect face-to-face.
Most of all, thank you. You are one of more than 6,000 queer friends who make up the heart of the BQC. Whether you engage with us through our newsletter, website, social media, events, visits to the Center, or any combination of these—your presence helps shape the vibrant, caring community we all belong to.
Here’s to a hopeful, connected, and joyful 2026. We’re grateful to be in community with you.
Important Dates This Month:
December 1: World AIDS Day December 10: Human Rights Day
With gratitude,
Michelle Harmeier
On behalf of the BQC Board of Directors
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| | In this issue: Become a BQC Partner - Join Our Circle of Hope World AIDS Day Commemoration Event Dec. 1 Generations of Pride Dec. 3 - Winter Market & Potluck First Friday Art Exhibit at BQC Center Dec. 7 Thank You Volunteers! Volunteer on a Board Committee Co-Working Time at the BQC Center Join an Affinity Group or Two Holiday Alternative Dec. 25 at BQC Center Bellingham Circus Guild New Year’s Event Jan. 3 New Grief Support Group with Accent Counseling New Group Health and Well-being Coaching Class Safe Space Campaign in Bellingham Events Calendar
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| Become a BQC Partner - Join our Circle of Hope! |
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When you become a recurring donor to the BQC, you do more than give. You fuel possibility. Your steady monthly support offers the foundation we need to uplift individuals, celebrate identity, and strengthen the heartbeat of our Bellingham queer community. Even a small monthly gift places you among a family of everyday heroes—people who believe in a kinder, safer, more connected future for us all. Because of supporters like you, the BQC Community Center can remain a warm, reliable haven for those seeking affirmation, belonging, and joy. Your ongoing commitment helps ensure that every person who walks through our doors feels seen, valued, and supported. As we close out the year, we’ve set an inspiring goal: to raise $5,000 in December and welcome 100 new recurring donors over the next year. Every recurring gift, no matter the size, strengthens our foundation for the future. And to our current heroes—thank you. Your generosity continues to light the way. One-time donations are always welcome and deeply appreciated, but becoming a recurring donor plants a seed of hope that grows all year long. Together, we can continue building a resilient, joyful, and thriving queer community. Become a BQC Partner by setting up a recurring monthly or annual donation here: https://www.bellinghamqueercollective.org/donate
Bellingham Queer Collective is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization EIN 92-3183105
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| World AIDS Day Commemoration hosted by Lifelong Bellingham |
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Monday, December 1, 2025 4:00 - 7:00 PM, Bellingham Yacht Club, 2625 S. Harbor Loop Dr.
We will come together in community to honor, remember, and lift up HOPE for those living with HIV/AIDS. As the sun sets over the harbor, we’ll share a delicious pasta-bar dinner from local restaurants, connect through meaningful conversation, relax to music from some of our favorite local artists, and hear from both field experts and those with lived experience. And of course—we won’t forget dessert and free raffle prizes!
This year there will be an actual 12’ x 12’ panel of the National AIDS Memorial Quilt on display during the event!
This is a free event, and all are welcome!
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| Generations of Pride - Dec. 3 |
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| Intergenerational Potluck Dinner and Winter Market
5:00 - 7:00 PM, Bellingham Senior Activity Center, 315 Halleck St. Ages 18+. FREE
Come create and buy crafts at a makers market and cozy potluck. Get to know your elders and youngsters in the Bellingham queer community. If you are able, bring a dish to share and list of its allergens.
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| First Friday Art Walk - Dec. 5 |
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Dec. 5, 2025 6:00 - 8:30 PM World AIDS Day Commemoration Mathew Crane; Featured Artist National AIDS Memorial Quilt Panel Community Artists
December 1st is World AIDS Day each year. This year, in partnership with Lifelong; Bellingham, the BQC will come together in community to honor, remember, and lift up HOPE for those living with HIV/AIDS through the sharing of art and artifacts during our First Friday Art Walk event on Friday, Dec. 5.
We welcome back Matthew Crane as our featured artist for December. As both a Queer and HIV-positive artist, his work aligns powerfully with the World AIDS Day theme. For this exhibition he shares previously private works that speak directly to his lived HIV+ experiences, honoring both personal truth and collective history. He also offers deeper insight into other pieces, revealing how living with HIV quietly weaves its threads through every layer of his creative process.
Contribute to our event!
All are invited to share their own HIV/AIDS related keepsakes, art or tokens of remembrance this evening with our community. Arrive between 5:30-6:00 pm to display your items. Email us at info@bellinghamqueercollective.org for questions and more information.
National AIDS Memorial Quilt We are honored to display a 12’x 12’ panel of the National AIDS Memorial Quilt to raise awareness and education about HIV/AIDS and to remember those lost to the pandemic. |
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| | | We are a volunteer powered organization that is working together to create wellness opportunities for us, by us! Thank you to over 180 people who have committed to be part of our community! |
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| | | Ready to Help Us Rise to the Next Level? |
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| The BQC is growing and striving to improve the well-being of our queer community by creating more programs and services to support our queer community. We need help getting there! Would you like to join one of our Board-led working committees? We are seeking people with skills in finance, development, marketing and communications, legal services, and wellness programming. Send us an email at info@bellinghamqueercollective.org and we will get together to discuss ways you can get involved at a higher level! Visit our Board web page to learn more about us! |
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| Co-Working Time at the BQC CenterMon - Fri - 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
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| The BQC Center is reserved on weekday mornings for quiet time for those who would like to work, read, or study in a quiet and safe space with the community. We invite you to take advantage of our free WiFi, snacks, drinks, book lending library, and office supplies while you are working. Visit our new Co-Working web page to learn more! |
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| | | Join an Affinity Group or Two! |
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Affinity Groups are a wonderful way to connect with the community based on common interests or shared identities. They are facilitated by a team of volunteer leaders, are free, and meet monthly or more often. Most groups meet in the BQC Center and some in other spaces around town. Whether you’re looking for creative community, social opportunities, or shared identity, there’s something for you. Unless otherwise noted below, registration is not required to attend affinity group meetings; just show up! Visit our Affinity Group web page to learn more and see the meeting calendar. If you have questions and would like to learn more, please email us at: info@bellinghamqueercollective.org |
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| Winter Holiday Alternative at BQC Community CenterDec. 25, 2:00 - 8:30 PM |
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We will be hosting activities from 2:00 PM - 8:30 PM at the Center. Visit our events calendar soon for more information. |
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| Clown Clurb presents: A New Queer Year |
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Saturday, January 3rd, 8:00 PM - Midnight Bellingham Circus Guild
Summoned from the spirit of Clown House - a DIY, trans-focused queer haven where our community gets to exist, play, and celebrate - Clown Clurb takes that magic and brings it into a professional, public-facing neon circus experience. Expect dancing, socializing, go-go dancers, roving circus cuties and dazzling drag performances, all held in collaboration with the Bellingham Circus Guild. More info to come, so stay tuned!
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| Queer Grief Counseling Support Group |
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Dates: January 6 - February 24 Times: Tuesdays from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm Location: Accent Counseling, 1400 Broadway, Bellingham 98225 Registration: Email: Groups@accent-counseling.com
The BQC is thrilled to be partnering again with our friends at Accent Counseling to provide another FREE counseling support group designed specifically for our queer community!
Thanks to your donations to the BQC and recent grants we were awarded there is no cost to participants. Support groups are NOT covered by insurance but we know that they provide critical support for healing and processing.
This group will fill quickly. Please register ASAP by sending an email to Mack Whaley at Accent Counseling. A wait-list will be available if there are registrations exceeding the space.
This 8-week therapeutic support group is led by trained professionals and open to all queer and LGBTQIA2S+ adults (18+) seeking a place to explore identity, connect with others, and build emotional resilience. Each session blends guided discussion, creative activities, and peer support, with space to share your unique experiences. Together, you will explore: Foundations & Our Chosen Family Circle The Uniqueness of Queer Grief Music Therapy The Body Keeps the Score: Somatic and Sensory Grief Goodbye Letter Rituals, Remembrance and Legacy Building a Tender Toolkit: Coping and Self-Compassion Integration, Resilience and Looking Forward
Whatever form of grief you may be experience, or want to be more prepared to manage future grief, this space is for building connection, processing experience, and cultivating queer support. All queer identities and lived experiences are welcome. |
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| Group Health and Well-Being Coaching |
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Group Health and Well-being Coaching for Creating Lasting Habit Change Dates: 6 weeks: Sundays Jan. 11, 18, & 25; Feb. 8, 22: and Mar. 8 Time: 5:30 - 7:00 pm Cost: Free to BQC Members. Registration is limited Course Description: We currently live inside a health care system that focuses on disease management, not sustaining health and well-being. Many health issues can be eliminated by changing habits. Health and well-being coaching provides LGBTQ+ folks with the partnership and community needed to gently and sustainably create new wellness habits that can improve health.
This 6-week group coaching experience is designed to empower individuals with the tools, strategies, and support to improve health and well-being. Grounded in the Duke University Health and Well-being Coaching model, this program blends evidence-based techniques with the power of group accountability to help participants achieve sustainable lifestyle changes. Habit change happens over time and is key to avoiding and recovering from lifestyle related health challenges. The first 3-sessions of this course are weekly and the last three are bi-weekly to give support for a 3-month change process. To get the full benefit, participation in the full series is recommended.
This course is facilitated by Jill Stansbury, a health and well-being coach qualified by Duke University. Coaching has been part of every job she has had over the last thirty years, and she has expanded her work to health and well-being coaching this past year. She focuses on using curiosity to help individuals unearth their internal wisdom to support sustainable habit change. As support for queer health is vital in these challenging times, she appreciates the opportunity to partner with all to encourage radical acts of self-care!
Register Here
You can contact Jill Stansbury directly for more information at jill@bellinghamqueercollective.org |
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| Bellingham Launches Program to Support Victims of Hate Crimes |
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| Businesses that are open to the public are invited to apply
“The Bellingham Police Department (BPD) and businesses in our community are teaming up to make it easier for victims of hate crimes to file a report. The new Safe Place™ program officially launches today, November 19, 2025. Participating businesses display a Safe Place™ decal on their business window at eye-height, where they are easily seen by anyone walking by. Victims of hate crimes can enter any of these businesses and ask for help. Staff will give them a safe place to wait and call 911 for them.” Read the rest of the article on the City of Bellingham website here. |
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| 2025-2026 Sponsors/Partners |
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| | | | Thank you for being part of our BQC community and receiving our monthly email! Even though we have over 2,000 members in our private FB group and post events and reminders there, we know many of our members are not FB users. We do not want to solely rely on FB moving forward just in case, so we are adding all of our BQC hosted and supported events to our website under the Upcoming Events Calendar.
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