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| Bellingham Queer Collective connects, celebrates, unites, and advocates for the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. |
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| | Dear Friend, When the Bellingham Queer Collective began in November 2022, we dreamed of creating a place where LGBTQ+ people could gather, build friendships, reduce social isolation, and strengthen our community. Today, we're celebrating how far we've come—and where we're headed together. For more than a year now, the BQC Center has been a welcoming home for our community. What was once just a vision is now a vibrant gathering place where people connect, learn, create, and support one another.
Each month, our Center hosts more than 200 members, over 20 Affinity Groups, along with Coworking Hours, Social Hours, Fun Fridays, Watch Parties, educational workshops, classes, and outreach events. Whether you're looking to explore your creativity, enjoy the outdoors, move your body, learn something new, or simply spend time with others who understand your experiences, there's a place for you at BQC.
Our mission goes beyond hosting events. We're building the overall well-being of our community through meaningful, in-person connections centered around arts, nature, movement, and wellness. Every conversation, gathering, and shared experience helps create a stronger, healthier, and more connected LGBTQ+ community.
As we continue to grow, we're asking you to grow with us.
The most meaningful way to support the BQC is by becoming a recurring donor. Monthly gifts of just $5 or $10 provide dependable support that allows us to plan ahead, sustain our community center, and continue expanding our programming throughout the year. If an annual gift is a better fit, donations of $20–$100 each year also make a significant impact.
While one-time gifts are always deeply appreciated, recurring donations provide the steady foundation that keeps our doors open and helps our organization thrive for years to come.
We're also grateful for the growing number of local businesses and organizations that invest in our community. Annual sponsorships of $1,000 or more help strengthen our programs, maintain our welcoming space, and demonstrate a commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion in Whatcom County. Business sponsors are recognized on our website, in our monthly newsletter, and at the BQC Center.
Everything we've accomplished has been made possible by our volunteers, members, donors, business sponsors, and everyone who has attended an event, welcomed a newcomer, or shared our mission with others.
Thank you for helping us grow a community where LGBTQ+ people can belong, connect, and thrive—not just during Pride Month, but every day of the year. Together, we're growing something that will benefit our community for generations to come.
With gratitude,
Michelle Harmeier
On behalf of the BQC Board of Directors
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| | Important Dates:July 13: Lesbian Aunts Day July 14: International Non-binary People’s Day July 16: International Drag Day
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| | | | In This Issue:First Friday Open House at the BQC Center Reminder Day Event at Community Boating Center Benefit Film Screening: BQC Presents Two Eyes Pride IN Bellingham Parade and Festival Community Pride Weekend Events July Fun Fridays and Watch Parties at the BQC Center Generations of Pride Picnic in the Park Friday Pride Paddle at Community Boating Center Cultivating Inner Strength: A 2-day Silent Meditation Retreat New Trans Cinema at Pickford Film Center Ferndale Pride is Back! Partner Spotlight: PFLAG Bellingham/Whatcom County B.A.D. Midsummer Market Connecting Communities Resource Fair
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| First Friday Open House on July 3 |
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| Let’s celebrate Pride and our amazing queer community! Please join us during the First Friday Art Walk for a special Open House on Friday, July 3 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. We will have plenty of art by queer artists to enjoy, awesome folks to meet, and delicious sandwiches from Cheba Hut to eat. We also need your help creating leaves for our growing Pride tree! |
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| Reminder Day Event: Saturday, July 45:00 - 11:00 PM | Community Boating Center |
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| Please join us on Saturday, July 4th for a special Reminder Day event hosted by Community Boating Center and Bellingham Queer Collective. We will have delicious food and fun activities on both land and sea.
Please register for the event so we can plan appropriately for food and seating:
Schedule: 5:00 pm Land and Sea Activities 7:00 pm Catered dinner and dessert provided by Övn Wood Fired Pizza and It's The Sweet Things 10:00 pm Watch fireworks across the bay from the deck of the wheelhouse 11:00 pm End of Event
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| BQC Proudly Presents Two EyesJoin us in person or online for a benefit film screening |
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| Bellingham Queer Collective invites you to a special screening of TWO EYES, featuring Academy Award nominee Lily Gladstone, trans icons Kate Bornstein and Ryan Cassata, queer South African musician and actor Nakhane, Two-Spirit artist Samuel Jaxin Enemy-Hunter, and Kiowa Gordon (AMC’s Dark Winds) — along with Q&A conversations featuring filmmaker Travis Fine and legendary performer and longtime LGBTQ+ activist Alan Cumming.
We are hosting an exclusive in-person screening of this amazing film on July 22 at the BQC Center — followed by a virtual streaming window for those who can’t make it in person. Tickets are $12.00 and BQC will receive 50% of the ticket sales for in-person and virtual screenings!
VIRTUAL STREAMING:Available anytime from July 23rd through July 26th — on your smart TV, computer, or mobile device.
IN-PERSON SCREENING:
YOUR TICKET INCLUDES:An in-person screening of TWO EYES on the date of your choice Unlimited streaming access to rewatch the film anytime from July 23rd through July 26th — on your smart TV, computer, or mobile device Exclusive pre-recorded Q&As featuring Academy Award nominee Lily Gladstone, Two-Spirit artist Samuel Jaxin Enemy-Hunter, trans icons Kate Bornstein and Ryan Cassata, and legendary performer and longtime LGBTQ+ activist Alan Cumming SPECIAL LIVE Q&A: A 45-minute live Zoom conversation with filmmaker Travis Fine following each in-person screening — Sunday June 28th at 7:45PM PDT and Wednesday July 22nd at 7:45PM PDT. Open to all ticket holders who purchase prior to each live event.
Please note: In-person seating is limited. Please be sure to reserve your tickets early to avoid disappointment.
TWO EYES was made by and for LGBTQ+ people and allies — people who understand that this community has always existed, in every culture and throughout every era of history. By bringing this film directly to communities like yours, we’re helping ensure the money raised stays exactly where it belongs — with the organizations and people doing the work every day. |
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| Join BQC at Pride IN Bellingham! |
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| We’re so excited about the Pride IN Bellingham Parade and Festival on Sunday, July 12! We will be marching in the parade and having a vendor booth again this year. Please join the fun!
March with our group in the Bellingham Pride Parade!Meet at the Bellingham High School Parking Lot by 10:30 AM. Bring water, sunscreen and any advocacy signs you would like. We need your help carrying our large banner and lots of different identity flags so the more marchers the better! All are welcome! Starting at 11:00 AM, we will walk through Downtown Bellingham Down Cornwall to Chestnut St. We will end at the Pride Festival in Depot Market Square.
Stop By and Visit our BQC Booth!The Pride Festival vendor fair will be open from 12:00 - 4:00 PM at Depot Market Square on Railroad Avenue (across from Rumors). Artisans, community groups, non profit organizations, and businesses will be celebrating with PRIDE! Please stop by and meet some of our fabulous volunteers!
More Pride Weekend Events
Pride Books and Brews Friday, July 10 | 6:00-7:30 PM Join Village Books for an Evening of Queer Focused Books and Mingling with other Queer Folk. Enjoy a brew or non-alcoholic beverage upstairs at Next Chapter Cafe.
Pride Fairhaven Family Fun Day on the Green - NEW EVENT! Saturday, July 11 | 12:00-4:00 PM On Fairhaven Village Green All Ages Fun & Games. Working with Fairhaven Restaurants for Pride Family TO-GO discounts to enjoy on the Green. Drag, storyhour and more!
Farmers Market Pride Day Saturday, July 11 | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Add a visit to our famous Bellingham Farmer’s Market July 11 to enjoy local growers, crafters and other vendors! Stop by the BQC booth and pick up a treat!
All Ages Dance @ -HUT- Saturday, July 11 | 4:00-7:00 PM Annual Dance PARTY with live DJ's and drag artists! Hosted in Bellingham's newest Event Space -HUT- (alley entrance next to Former Boundary Bay Beer Garden). |
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| July Fun Fridays and Watch Parties |
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| Drop in and join us for some fun activities on Fun Fridays and other Watch Party dates during July! We invite you to also enjoy a bite to eat now that we can provide tasty treats from some of our favorite places around town like Cheba Hut, Leaf and Ladle, Fiamma Pizza and more. July 10 - Game Night: Fishbowl! July 11 - Queer As Folk Watch Party: 1:00 PM (S1: E11-13) July 11 - The Birdcage Watch Party: 4:00 PM July 17 - Queer As Folk Watch Party: 6:00 PM (S1: E14-16) July 24 - Karaoke Night July 25 - Queer As Folk Watch Party: 6:00 PM (S1: E17-19) July 31 - In and Out Watch Party 6:00 PM
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| NO HATE IN WA STATE: Please Help Fight Back Against Harmful Initiatives |
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| Community Allies for Queer Equity (CAQE) is organizing locally in support of No Hate in WA State, a statewide campaign working to defeat two harmful initiatives on the November ballot that would impact transgender and queer youth, girls, and students who may already be vulnerable.
IL-26-001 would weaken student privacy protections in schools. This could put transgender and queer students, as well as students who may be at risk of abuse or unsafe family situations, in more vulnerable positions.
IL-26-638 would increase scrutiny on students’ bodies and identities in school athletics. This could harm transgender students, girls, and any student who does not fit someone else’s idea of how a girl “should” look or be.
CAQE is the local organization working to fight back against these initiatives here in Whatcom County by educating voters, building community support, and connecting volunteers with meaningful ways to take action.
Right now, CAQE is looking for volunteers to help with phone banking and canvassing. Their next phone bank is on Wednesday, July 1, and they will also be canvassing at Bellingham Pride on Sunday, July 12. No experience is needed, and training will be provided. |
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| Generations of Pride PotluckJuly 29, 5:00 PM @ Whatcom Falls Park Large Shelter |
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| Please join Bellingham Queer Collective, PFLAG Whatcom, and LGBTQ+ Western for a special Generations of Pride event on July 29! This month we are hosting a Pride in the Park Potluck at Whatcom Falls Park (in the Large Shelter). |
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| Show Your Pride Out on the Water!Pride Paddle | June 5, 12, 19, 26 | 5:30 PM -7:30 PM |
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| Community Boating Center's weekly Pride Paddle invites our queer community to get comfortable on the water using a kayak or stand up paddle board. Join us on the bay every week for a casual paddle along the Bellingham waterfront with your 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We provide experienced staff that will lead the paddling adventures and provide all paddle and safety equipment. Every Friday through October! |
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| Cultivating Inner StrengthA 2-day Silent Meditation Retreat on August 8th-9th |
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| | Cultivating Inner Strength: A 2-day Silent Meditation Retreat is an exploration of the inherent strength in our minds, bodies, and communities which we will access through a variety of silent still and moving meditation practices. It will be facilitated by Jill Stansbury of Mindful Social and Emotional Learning Solutions.
There will be a talk and short discussion as part of the retreat. The rest of the time, participants will be invited to reflect on their automatic communication habits through practicing silence. LGBTQ+ folks and allies are welcome, as are inexperienced to highly experienced meditators. It will be held at community center in the Cordata neighborhood in Bellingham, WA from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm on August 8th and 9th. Space is limited. If you are wait-listed, you will be informed via email within a week of enrollment.
Please register at: https://forms.gle/E9aDMrqmK7BqkZhX8. |
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| New Trans Cinema: Pride at Pickford |
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| This Pride, Pickford Film Center is honored to present a series unlike any other, four films by and for an interconnected community of trans and queer artists making urgent, alive cinema right now. They are also featuring several fun fan favorites this month.
Upcoming Films |
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| Celebrate Pride in Ferndale!July 18th at Pioneer Pavilion Community Park |
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| Join us for Ferndale's second annual PRIDE Celebration- a day of music, performances, and good vibes, co-sponsored by Connect Ferndale, the City of Ferndale, and LGBTQ+ Western. Festivities will take place at Pioneer Pavilion Community Park on Saturday, July 18th from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM. |
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| PFLAG Bellingham/Whatcom County |
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| PFLAG Bellingham/Whatcom County hosts a community support meeting on the first Tuesday of every month. They currently meet in-person at the BQC Center, or via Zoom, from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.
The group also provides education for local organizations on a variety of topics related to understanding and celebrating the gender identities and sexual orientations represented in our communities. |
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| B.A.D. Midsummer Market on July 18 |
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| Our friends at Bellingham Aerial and Dance are hosting their annual B.A.D. Midsummer Market during the Sunnyland Stomp! Join the fun on Saturday, July 18 between 3:00 and 8:00 PM. |
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| Connecting Communities Resource Fair: July 29 |
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| Bring your friends, bring your curiosity, and bring your smile — it’s time to connect! Join us for a joyful day of resources, music, food, and community at Whatcom Clubhouse. Whether you’re looking for support, services, new friends, or just a good time, there’s something for everyone.
What to expect: Resource tables from local organizations (including BQC!) offering support for mental health, housing, employment, and more Free refreshments Fun activities and giveaways A warm, welcoming space to meet people and find local supports
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| | | Meet our 2026 Sponsors and Partners |
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| | | | | Support Bellingham Queer CollectiveWill 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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