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The Bellingham Queer Collective connects, celebrates, unites, and advocates for the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. |
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| | February 2026 BQC Newsletter |
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Dear Friends, As we near the one-year anniversary of opening the doors to the BQC Center at 310 W. Champion St., we’re filled with gratitude and pride as we reflect on what this space has become. Over the past year, our Center has grown into more than a building—it has become a true home for connection, care, and community. This transformation would not have been possible without the generosity, time, and love of our donors and volunteers. Thank you for helping us create a beautiful, cozy, and welcoming queer space in the heart of downtown’s Arts District. Each month, more than 200 community members visit the BQC Center, bringing life, laughter, and belonging into the space. Whether you’re stopping by for the first time or returning regularly, we invite you to come see what we’ve built together. Join us during our drop-in hours for a tour and explore our current schedule here. Our larger, open layout has allowed our most meaningful programs to flourish—from affinity group gatherings and co-working sessions to joyful social events like Fun Fridays and Game Nights. With modular couches and tables, the space easily transforms to support training workshops, advocacy events, and First Friday Art Exhibitions, reflecting the creativity and adaptability of our community. Behind the scenes, thoughtful improvements continue to make the Center more functional and nurturing. A new wall of cabinets helps us stay organized while supporting wellness offerings with yoga mats, blankets, and shared refreshments. Our community library is also coming to life, thanks to an incredible outpouring of donated books that are now being cataloged and prepared for checkout—each one a gift of knowledge and story. Looking ahead, we’re excited to deepen our impact. Upcoming projects include expanding our community resource wall to highlight local service providers and adding shelving and storage in the garage to support future partnerships and community distribution efforts. Thank you for believing in this space and in each other. Together, we are building more than walls—we are creating a home rooted in care, resilience, and collective joy. With gratitude,
Michelle Harmeier
On behalf of the BQC Board of Directors
Important Dates:
February: Black History Month February 7: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Week after Valentines Day: Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week February 28: HIV Is Not Crime Awareness Day |
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| | In this issue: BQC Volunteers News Black History Month Opportunities Pickford Film: Origin (based on the book, Caste) Feb. 1 Mount Baker Theatre: Isabel Wilkerson, Caste Event Feb. 6 First Friday Art Walk @ BQC Center Feb. 6 - Bob Pazden Eros Party; A Celebration of Carnal Love @ Wild Buffalo Feb. 14 Bellingham Aerial and Dance: B.A.D. Pajama Ball Feb. 20 & 21 Generations of Pride Feb. 25 @ Senior Center Support Betty Pages Print Paper with an Ad Space Rainbow Elders Schedule Change Community Allies for Queer Equity (CAQE) Events Calendar
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| Volunteers help our Center be available for classes, drop in time, co-working, affinity groups and so much more! |
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| BQC Volunteer Newsby Lynx |
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🧨 Sizzling into February like a cozy smoldering log flaming in a pot bellied stove, our volunteer team is on ❤️🔥FIRE❤️🔥 as per usual. We did a really hard thing and switched over to a new Volunteer Scheduling system this year. So far, 65 of our most dedicated greeters, house, outreach and affinity group volunteers have made the move to the new system. 💪🏾🤸 We’ve still got a few more to go but we are well on our way.
So far we have logged 132 volunteer hours and 34 events already this year! 🤩
🐜🐜🐜 We’ve also been working on streamlining our Guest Check-In system. 🐜🐜🐜
We try to collect as little data from guests as possible, but just having the program name and a participant's zipcode can help us write more comprehensive grants. And more comprehensive grants equals more chances of winning which ultimately supports the center’s mission of staying open for the community. 🎆
All that to say, signing in is super valuable.
Did you know it takes over 30+ volunteers to run all of our programs each week?! That is a lot of QUEER POWER. Special Shout Out to Shayla, Drake, Soren and Clarice for logging the most hours so far this month - ya’ll are rock stars and we are so very grateful for your commitment, reliability and overall coolness. 😎
🏳️🌈🪩And thank you to all of our amazing VOLUNTEERS, we could not and would not do this without YOU! Learn more:
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| | | Black History Month Opportunities |
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| Black History Month was founded by Carter G. Woodson in 1926 to recognize the achievements and experiences of Black lives throughout America. The annual celebration occurs in February to include the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, both of whom shaped Black freedom in the United States. Bellingham Public Library honors Black History Month with special displays of a wide variety of related books, films, and music for adults, teens and children. See the link below to visit the library site and find inspirational titles to read this month! Shared from Bellingham Public Library. Douglass Day 2026 At WWU February 13, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PMDouglass Day, an event of commemoration and collective action for Black history held annually on February 14th (but this year, on the 13th!). The event will take place in the Multicultural Center (VU 735) on Friday, February 13, from 11am-2pm and will be hosted by the Black Student Coalition as part of Black History Month 2026. This year, there will be a focus on transcribing materials from the Colored Conventions Project. This groundbreaking archive documents how nineteenth-century African Americans organized around critical issues such as voting rights, citizenship, education, labor, racial equality, and so much more. In addition to the Transcribe-a-thon, Douglass Day 2026 will feature a birthday cake decorating station, a catered lunch, and a livestream from the national organizers featuring speakers and opportunities for reflection and celebration. Shared from WWU History Happenings
Queer Black History Black history is rich, powerful, and beautifully diverse—and that includes the vital contributions of queer Black Americans whose courage and creativity have shaped culture, politics, and social movements. Too often their stories are overlooked, yet their impact is everywhere. Bayard Rustin, a brilliant strategist and organizer, was a key architect of the Civil Rights Movement and a driving force behind the 1963 March on Washington. Writers like James Baldwin and Audre Lorde used their words to confront racism, homophobia, and injustice with unflinching honesty, reshaping literature and social thought. Activists such as Marsha P. Johnson helped ignite the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, advocating fiercely for marginalized communities. In the arts, visionaries like choreographer Alvin Ailey transformed dance by centering Black stories on the world stage. This Black History Month, we honor queer Black Americans not only for their historic achievements, but for their resilience, joy, and leadership. Their legacies remind us that progress is often driven by those who live boldly at the intersections—and that our collective history is stronger when all stories are told. AI Assisted Information |
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| Pickford Film: Origin (based on the book, Caste) |
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Sunday, Feb. 1, 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM - buy tickets now here - it will sell out!
FILM SCREENING PRESENTED IN COLLABORATION W/ MOUNT BAKER THEATRE, who, in the week following the Pickford's screening of ORIGIN, will be hosting Isabel Wilkerson on Feb. 6, 2026 for a very special event, "The Urgency of Radical Empathy," which will address current events and explore how both individuals and communities can support disenfranchised and marginalized communities and find hope in our shared humanity. |
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| | | | Isabel Wilkerson at Mount Baker Theatre |
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Friday, Feb. 6, 7:30 PM With the generous support from local leaders, organizations, and individuals, MBT is proud to bring Isabel Wilkerson to Bellingham for a very special event. The Urgency of Radical Empathy will address current events and explore how both individuals and communities can support disenfranchised and marginalized communities and find hope in our shared humanity. The evening will include a 45-minute lecture, audience Q&A, and book signing. |
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| First Friday Art Walk Feb. 6by Featured Artist Bob Pazden |
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When I was a child, my dream was to be an artist. While growing up, I was bullied and called names and I had trouble understanding that other people saw me as gay, long before I knew what that meant. I related it to my creative side because my creativity drew attention from others, and the timing seemed relevant. I loved drawing, and making crafts and was often recognized for my creations, however, I didn’t want to stand out because of the bullying, so I stuffed it away and became afraid to express myself creatively. For many years, I stopped making any form of art, and was terrified to express myself publicly.
Upon graduating from high school, my parents gave me a camera and I loved taking photos, but couldn’t afford the film and developing, so my hobby festered for many years. In 1999, I left my corporate job in Silicon Valley and my parents gave me a digital camera to take on an extended trip overseas. My husband and I leased a VW camper and drove around Europe for 3 months - we visited 27 countries there, over three months, and took many photos. It was during this trip that I rediscovered my love of taking photos. I was beginning to notice that I had stories to tell that others enjoyed and I was manifesting a certain style that appealed to me, and others, but I was still afraid to show my work publicly.
After an adventurous trip to New Zealand with my camera in tow, I was frustrated by the speed of the pocket camera and invested in a digital SLR - my photographic life awakened. I joined nature photography clubs, began showing my photos, and eventually took a summer off from work to go to the Rocky Mountain School of Photography, in Missoula, MT. It was there that I discovered more about my abilities, as well as my photographic style, and began to overcome my fears of creative self expression. The summer was spent taking thousands and thousands of photos, experimenting and exploring, in nature, with people, in the studio, etc. For me, it was a discovery that I loved taking photos to share with others, but I didn’t particularly want to undertake it professionally. My photos are personal, and more about life itself, and how I see the world mindfully, when I connect intimately with my subject. I don’t always think about what I’m photographing, the outcomes are revealed organically…I don’t know how else to put it.
My highly adventurous needs, travels to 38 countries and 47 states, coupled with my love of photojournalism have resulted in many tens of thousands of images…some awesome, and very many not worth a second look, but the pleasure of sharing my life with others is beyond words, as told by my photos. In the words of the renowned Life Magazine, my photos seem to also represent their mission in their most notable motto: “To see Life; To see the World”. I photograph life, up close and personal - people, creatures, nature, places and things, to share with anyone who wants to see. I am no longer afraid to be gay and creative and artistic. Art has been my journey of self-discovery and expression.
Bob Pazden is a photographic artist who captures intimate portraits of people, creatures, nature, places and things. As a child, he was often bullied and called out as gay, which stifled his creative expression, only later to discover his photographic vision as a realistic means of self expression. In the words of Life Magazine: “To see Life; To see the World” The pleasure of sharing stories and photos is beyond words, as told by his photos. Come see a few of his images that evoke feelings of joy during these stressful times. |
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Bob Pazden is a photographic artist who captures intimate portraits of people, creatures, nature, places and things. As a child, he was often bullied and called out as gay, which stifled his creative expression, only later to discover his photographic vision as a realistic means of self expression. In the words of Life Magazine: “To see Life; To see the World” The pleasure of sharing stories and photos is beyond words, as told by his photos. Come see a few of his images that evoke feelings of joy during these stressful times. |
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| Eros Party; A Celebration of Carnal LoveFeb. 14, 8:00 PM @ The Wild Buffalo |
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Named after Eros, the Greek god of carnal love, Eros Party is a bold, body-positive, kink-themed dance party featuring DJs, drag, burlesque, and pole performances. Expect an inclusive, high-energy night filled with seductive performances, expressive fashion, and an atmosphere that celebrates pleasure, creativity, and connection. Dress boldly, dance freely, and indulge in a night where pleasure, art, and community collide.
Reminder: The BQC will not be hosting a spring dance, so we are encouraging our community to attend events like this to celebrate and be in community! |
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| Bellingham Aerial and Dance (B.A.D.)Pajama Ball Showcase; Fundraiser for BQC Feb. 20 & 21 |
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Slip into your coziest (or most extra) pajamas and join us for the annual B.A.D. Pajama Ball, a joyful night of movement, community, and giving back. This special evening is a fundraiser for the Bellingham Queer Collective, supporting vital work right here in our local community. Enjoy a showcase of performances by B.A.D. students and instructors, highlighting the creativity, artistry, and connection that make this space so special. They will also be hosting a silent auction featuring donations from amazing local businesses, so you can support the BQC while scoring something fun. Come celebrate with us and the B.A.D. community, cheer on your friends, and show up exactly as you are—pajamas encouraged, enthusiasm required 💖 Get inspired and join a class after you see all the ways you can join this community! Special thanks to Max for creating such a warm and welcoming space for our queer community to learn, grow, and get healthy and strong together! |
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| Generations of Pride Feb. 25, 5:00 PM @ Senior Center |
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Generations of Pride is our intergenerational community dinner centering LGBTQ+ people and allies in the Bellingham/Whatcom community. We gather on the last Wednesday of every month at Bellingham Senior Activity Center at 315 Halleck St. Each month we have a different topic for discussion with breakouts to help connect LGBTQ+ people across generations.
The free dinner event is hosted by Western Washington University's LGBTQ+ Western, Bellingham Queer Collective, and the Bellingham/Whatcom Chapter of PFLAG, and was inspired by research from Western's Psychology Department's Listen Lab.
Thanks to the Sustainability, Equity, and Justice Fund, we do not need any more potluck items. We thank the efforts of PFLAG, Bellingham Queer Collective, Generations of Pride, LGBTQ+ Western, the Centers, and staff and attendees for making this possible. |
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| Keep the Betty Pages in Print! |
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| Did you know it costs over $1000 each month to print and distribute The Betty Pages?
Recently there have not been enough paid advertisers to cover this cost and Naomi cannot keep printing.
Naomi is hoping to crowd source funds for printing in June and July for Pride but otherwise they don’t have enough to cover printing and distribution.
This means The Pages will be GOING ONLINE ONLY!
Don’t worry they haven’t given up keeping it going, they just can’t keep it printed unless they get some solid sponsors/advertisers.
Or, even better- More Patreon Supporters!
They would love to put a big ol’ Community Sponsored label on the front but they need enough of the community to be able to do that.
Patreon tiers start at $2! At the $5 level you get early access and at the $10 you get a printed copy when available.
Feedback is welcome as Naomi explores Patreon options and tries to figure out worthy rewards!
Reach out to Naomi if you can offer other ways to support this important community resource! inthebettypages@gmail.com |
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| Rainbow Elders; New Year, New Schedule |
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Visibility Lunch
First Wednesdays | 11:30am-1:00pm Discussion Group
Last Wednesdays | 3:00-4:30pm Location:Bellingham Senior Activity Center (BSAC)
315 Halleck Street
Bellingham, WA 98225 About this group:A gathering space for LGBTQ+ people ages 50 and up to build friendships, share stories, and celebrate our experiences. Come connect with others who’ve lived through generations of queer history and continue to thrive in community. Come as a guest for the first three visits, and then membership to the BSAC is needed (scholarships available). Daily hot lunch program free to 65+! |
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| | | Community Allies for Queer Equity (CAQE)Finding Community and Building Sustainabilityby Christiana |
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| As I try to recall the faces and names of the people I’ve met over the last year. I think about the rooms I’ve been in, the conversations that unfolded, and the times I showed up even when I didn’t feel like it. It’s those choices toward community that have sustained me and allowed me to become who I needed to be to meet this moment in time.
Like many others, the start of 2025 was a place of deep uncertainty. I felt directionless about what my own part would be in the years to come. It would have been easier to withdraw, to make myself smaller, to avoid being seen. But I know that rest doesn’t feel restorative when it’s rooted in avoidance. So instead of turning inward, I chose to place myself in community with others who could understand the fear and anxiety I was carrying.
I didn’t feel especially confident or qualified. I wasn’t sure what I had to offer. What I did know was that I would rather choose the discomfort of being known than the discomfort of staying isolated.
That decision led me to attend a few PFLAG meetings. There, I listened as people shared their fears and needs. I learned where help was needed, and slowly, I began to show up. That work carried me to city hall, where I stood alongside trans community members advocating for a transgender sanctuary resolution. From there, I sought out others doing the kind of work I wanted to be part of.
With the support of Indivisible Bellingham and the Bellingham Queer Collective, I helped create a group called Community Allies for Queer Equity, or CAQE. As I invested more deeply in trans advocacy, I began to notice a pattern. Many of the people in the room were, understandably, trans or queer. And yet I knew there were many allies who were compassionate and deeply invested in queer and trans liberation, but unsure of where they belonged. I recognized that uncertainty in myself too.
What I learned this year is something we’ve known for a long time: trans liberation does not happen in isolation. It is inseparable from the liberation of all people. When we advocate for someone else’s dignity, we are also defending our own. One of my strengths, I’ve learned, is inviting people into this conversation. CAQE is about mobilizing allies, yes, but just as importantly, it is about fostering honest and vulnerable conversations about what it means to be in community together.
The work that inspires CAQE is rooted in global research on what strong LGBTQ communities invest in. Again and again, the findings are consistent: sustainable movements center class, material conditions, mutual aid, and accessibility. Advocacy that ignores people’s lived realities cannot last. When we choose these values we refuse to let this moment be defined solely by fear.
That matters, especially now.
Two anti-trans initiatives, IL-26-001 and IL-26-638, funded by multi-millionaire Brian Heywood, have taken up more space in my mind than I would like to admit. These initiatives are poorly written and intentionally dangerous. They undermine confidential counseling in schools and increase the policing of girls’ bodies, all while hiding behind the language of protection and fairness. These tactics echo decades of policies that have harmed children, particularly girls of color.
After spending millions of dollars on other unpopular initiatives, many of which were rejected by voters, Heywood shifted his focus to trans people, a group that has long been used as a political scapegoat. Across the country and the world, LGBTQ communities are targeted to manufacture moral panic and mobilize voters while obscuring the true motivations behind these campaigns. And yet, when I think back to the rooms I’ve been in this year, I’m reminded of something else entirely.
Behind every ill-intentioned multimillionaire are real people who have already done the work of addressing the concerns these campaigns exploit. In states with trans-inclusive school sports policies, overall girls’ participation often increases. When rigid gender norms loosen, more young people feel confident stepping forward. Our communities expand opportunity rather than limiting it. This is what I hope CAQE continues to be: a place that uplifts knowledge and truth and uses them as tools that free all of us. The people who have shown up to the education events I’ve organized embody this vision already. It was such a pleasant surprise. CAQE is becoming a collective of different personalities, perspectives, and capacities, grounded in the belief that educating ourselves is a form of protection for our community.
Our work does not begin or end with these initiatives.
As we move through 2026, we will feel urgency and overwhelm. But we will also continue to find comfort and strength in one another. That is how we endure. That is how we build capacity that lasts.
If this resonates with you, I invite you to reach out. You’re welcome to message me directly or send me an email. And if you’re looking for ways to learn more or take action, I’ve put together a guide for allies to help get started. |
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| | | | 2025-2026 Sponsors/Partners |
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| | | | Will you consider becoming a BQC Partner by making a small contribution each month or year? Recurring donations are the cornerstone of our fundraising efforts. We are a community funded organization. A gift of $5, $10, or $20 monthly or annually may have a modest impact on your giving budget, but it has a HUGE impact on covering our operational costs of running an all volunteer organization. Thank you BQC Partners! |
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