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| Bellingham Queer Collective connects, celebrates, unites, and advocates for the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. |
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Dear Friends, With the arrival of Spring blooms and sunny skies comes our favorite time of year: PRIDE SEASON! We would love your help our calendar of 2026 Pride Season events. Please use our event submittal form to tell us about your community celebrations so we can share them on our posters, website, social media, email newsletter, and more! With gratitude,
Michelle Harmeier
On behalf of the BQC Board of Directors
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| | Important May Dates:Foster Care Awareness Month Mental Health Month 5/3 – International Family Equality Day 5/16 – National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day 5/17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia 5/19 – Agender Pride Day 5/19 – National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 5/22 – Harvey Milk Day 5/24 – Pansexual and Panromantic Awareness and Visibility Day
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| | | | In This Issue:First Friday Children’s Art Walk BQC Featured Artists: Call For Submissions for Pride Exhibition BQC Volunteer Update Voxel Gallery and Lori Van Etta Support BQC Financial Literacy Classes Start May 6 Queer Fantasy Ball May 7 Pride Paddle Starts May 8 Rainbow Elder Book Club Starts May 14 Generations of Pride: Careers May 27 Whatcom Youth Pride Parade May 30 Lavender Graduation June 4 Juneteenth Celebration June 20
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| Children’s Art Walk May 1-14 |
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| May is Washington State Arts Education Month. The First Friday Art Walk on Friday, May 1, was the kick off celebration of the Bellingham Children’s Art Walk presented by Allied Arts of Whatcom County. The Arts are a required core academic subject under state law, but chronic underfunding of our public education system causes the arts to be provided inconsistently and sparsely. Allied Arts has one of the largest arts education programs in the state with 15 teaching artists providing Standards based arts programs throughout Whatcom County.
For the first two weeks in May, over 50 downtown businesses, including the BQC Center, will be exhibiting works by youth created in schools throughout Whatcom County. We hope you can stroll through the downtown area and delight in the works of the younger art community on display in the windows of local businesses and restaurants.
BQC is thrilled to host art work from students again this year! Visit the BQC Center (310 W. Champion Street) between May 1 and 14 to see a colorful array of mixed media art from kids 12 and under with imaginative poems and scenes from nature. Stop by the Allied Arts Gallery to get information about musicians, live performances as well as any other activities happening for the First Friday Art Walk. |
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| BQC Featured Artists: Call for Pride Photo Exhibition |
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| Each month, we showcase the work of local queer artists by hosting a reception during the Downtown Bellingham Partnership’s First Friday Art Walk, and then displaying their work on the walls of the BQC Center in a month-long exhibition.
Upcoming ExhibitionWe are excited to celebrate Pride season with a special art exhibition. Opening with a First Friday reception at the BQC on June 5th, 2026, the art is anticipated to be on display at the BQC through the end of August. We are seeking multiple artists to share the space so we can showcase even more of the talent in our community. Since June and July are our Pride months, we request an open celebration and exploration of queerness! If you are interested in joining our roster of queer artists, please fill out our submission form. |
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| | Spring is Springing🌷and our volunteer program is continuing to GROW 🌱
Volunteer Coordination TeamWe have been working on creating a new coordination circle of volunteer administrative leads who are skilled in volunteer management scheduling, center programming, outreach, volunteer recruitment and orientation. This is crucial to our mission of staying a volunteer powered organization and we are excited to welcome Clarice, Navi, Nova, Taylor and Bran to the team.
Nova (pictured on left in a dazzling spring ensemble with black crocheted top + flowy green skirt w/ eye poppin’ short teal hair) will be our Tabling + Outreach Lead. You’ll see them out and about at events, bringing smiles and connection to the community.
Clarice (pictured second left wearing a maroon sweater, black pants, fiery red hair wrapped into a bun and laid back smile) is our Scheduling Lead. They’ll be managing all of our new events in our scheduling software, making the behind scenes magic happen.
Taylor (missed our photo op – so her head is in the middle and super imposed onto Lynx’s body to create a very sunshiny blonde summer vibe on a very pacific northwest flannel and corduroys body) is our Center Orientation Lead. She’ll be meeting with all new volunteers - showing em’ the ropes and probably making them laugh while she’s at it, likely she will also have a body next time you see her.
Bran (pictured centered right, with their black painted fingernails crossed gracefully over their blue jeans is wearing a comfy looking jacket and has long dark hair) will be our Center Programming Lead. They are putting the FUN into Fun Friday’s and making sure that all of other weekly programming is running smoothly.
Navi (looking real cool with their sunglasses and silver jewelry on top of a black shirt with short dark hair) is our Recruitment and Retention Lead. They will be focusing on celebrating all of our amazing volunteers and throwing seasonal appreciation parties.
A BIG thank you to this team who is making sure that our entire volunteer program is supported!!!
April ImpactAre you curious about our IMPACT? Here are some April stats…
📈 We logged 306 volunteer hours this month. 👥37 people filled greeter, outreach and affinity group leader shifts. 📅 We hosted, tabled and held 69 events and meetings. 😎 Our center programming and Affinity Groups served over 118 people. 🛼We trained 2 new volunteers. Welcome Lena + Kaiya!!
Did you know it takes over 30+ volunteer shifts to run all of our programs each week?! That is a lot of QUEER SUPER POWER.
Shout outs🌟Special Shout Outs to the Volunteers putting in the extra hours!
🥰Shout Outs to the Volunteers who have been rocking their recurring shift for a long time! Erika Pauline Adrian Sally Rory Sarah
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| Thank you Lori Van Etta and Voxel Gallery! |
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| Special thanks to Lori Van Etta and her solo exhibition, The Veils of Self, at Voxel Gallery next door to the BQC Center. Voxel and Lori teamed up to auction off a painting by Lori to benefit the Bellingham Queer Collective. Lori’s exhibition will be up through mid-May.
We are excited about Voxel Gallery’s June Pride exhibition opening Friday, June 5. Still Queer - unapologetic, reflective, layered, and alive is a group exhibition celebrating the endurance, evolution, and everyday brilliance of queer life. This show invites artists to explore what it means to remain—boldly, tenderly, defiantly—queer across time, space, and circumstance. “Still” holds many meanings: continuity, quietness, resilience, refusal, pause, survival, and joy that persists.
Voxel Gallery welcomes work that reflects on queer identity as something lived and ongoing—whether through personal narrative, chosen family, intimacy, protest, softness, transformation, humor, memory, or futurity. How does queerness shape the body, the home, the landscape, the archive, the imagination? What does it mean to be here, now, and still queer? |
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| Empowering Our Queer Community Through Financial Literacy |
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| Financial wellness is an important part of our overall wellness and we are thrilled to share two upcoming opportunities for our LGBTQ+ community. Both are great opportunities to build financial confidence—at no cost, to help you strengthen money management skills, reduce debt, and plan for long-term stability. Hosted locally in Bellingham, the classes are accessible, welcoming, and tailored to meet people where they are. Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your financial habits, this is a meaningful step toward greater independence and security.
BQC Financial Wellness WorkshopFriday, June 12, 6-8:30pm at the BQC Center
Take PRIDE in your finances! Whatcom Dream is presenting a free financial wellness workshop at the BQC Center on Friday, June 12 from 6:00 to 8:30pm. Food will be provided.
Whatcom Dream’s classes can show you how to maintain fiscal stability and avoid pitfalls, while taking into consideration your particular dreams and aspirations for a better quality of life for you and your loved ones. Take this opportunity to allow yourself to become equipped and empowered to deal with your finances in a whole new way.
Questions? Reach out to kveldman@whatcomdream.org.
Free 8-week Financial Literacy ClassMay 6 through June 24, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Opportunity Council
FLARE (Financial Learning and Resiliency Through Empowerment) is a FREE series of eight consecutive classes designed to increase adults’ awareness with their own behaviors and beliefs surrounding money. Each week the group will talk about different topics surrounding money such as creating a budget, goal setting, credit repair, money scams, etc. Anyone is welcome to join!
The next FLARE session will begin on Wednesday May 6th, in person at Opportunity Council (1111 Cornwall Ave. 1st Floor Conference Room). Classes are held on Wednesdays from 5:00pm-7:00pm, May 6th through June 24th. Please note that childcare won’t be provided. |
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| BQC Members are Invited to Attend the WWU LGBTQ+ Queer Fantasy Ball!Thursday, May 7, 7:00 - 10:00 PM |
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| Let’s dress up and dance! The BQC is not hosting its spring dance this year so be sure to put this dance on your calendar! Our friends at LGBTQ+ Western are hosting The Queer Fantasy Ball on Thursday, May 7th from 7-10pm in the WWU Viking Union Multipurpose Room. There will be music, performances, food, and many fun surprises! Everyone 18+ is welcome! Donations accepted. More information will be on their website. |
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| Community Boating Center (CBC) Hosts Weekly Pride PaddleEvery Friday Evening Starting Friday, May 8, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM |
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| NEW Rainbow Elder Book Discussion GroupThursdays, May 14 - June 11; 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM at the BQC Center |
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| Living Well, Aging Proudly, Ending with DignityOur Rainbow Elders are excited to launch a new book discussion group! This group is a welcoming and uplifting space for queer elders to explore vibrant aging, meaningful connection, and thoughtful end-of-life planning in community. Together, we’ll read and reflect on books that spark rich conversations about living fully, embracing each stage of life, and supporting one another with care, dignity, and compassion.
We center the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ elders—honoring the resilience, chosen families, histories, and challenges that shape our lives. From navigating healthcare and legacy planning to building networks of support that reflect who we truly are, this space invites honest, affirming dialogue about what it means to age in ways that feel safe, seen, and celebrated.
While we’ll engage openly with life’s final chapter, we do so with a spirit of curiosity, lightness, and even joy and snacks, celebrating the beauty, wisdom, and connection that deepen over time. Through shared stories, laughter, and open-hearted conversation, we’ll build a circle of support where no one has to walk this path alone. This is a space to grow, reflect, and connect—discovering how we can live well, care for one another, and move through every chapter of life with authenticity, pride, and community.
Join us!You are invited to join us in a “kitchen table” discussion about our first book; The Art of Dying Well by Katy Butler.
 Please read the assigned chapters below before the meetings. You are encouraged to note key phrases or concepts to discuss with the group. We will also talk about the “Ways to Prepare” section at the end of each chapter. The intention of reading this guide to living and dying well together is to help each other make and communicate plans about how we want to “perform” in our “third act” of life!
Meeting Schedule:Thursdays from 1:00 to 3:00pm at the BQC Center (310 W Champion St) May 14, 2026: Read the introduction and chapter 1 May 21, 2026: Read chapters 2 & 3 May 28, 2026: Read chapters 4 & 5 June 4, 2026: Read chapter 6 June 11, 2026: Read chapter 7 & conclusion
The group will select the next book and schedule on the last meeting.
Location:BQC Center (310 W. Champion St) Street Parking and Parking lots are metered. Commercial Street parking garage is nearby.
Learn more:For questions and information, please visit our website or email us at info@bellinghamqueercollective.org. |
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| Generations of Pride: Queer Careers and FuturesMay 27, 5:00-7:00 PM @ Bellingham Senior Activity 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 (315 Halleck Street) or WWU to build community over a free catered meal and storytelling.
Each month we have a different topic for discussion with breakouts to help connect LGBTQ+ people across generations. Our May topic is Queer Careers and Futures. Come chat with queer elders about managing being gay in the workplace. Talk about building your resume, being “out” at work, networking, and talk with others about your field of interest.
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| Whatcom Youth PrideParade and Festival in Downtown Bellingham on Saturday, May 30, 2026 |
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| Whatcom Youth PRIDE Parade and Festival is an opportunity for LGBTQIA+ youth and youth allies to walk together through a short, one mile parade route while the community stands along the sidelines and cheers them on!
The parade culminates in a festival at Bellingham High School where there will be tables for community organizations to share their resources, music and performances, makers space, youth art market, and food trucks for lunch. Please join us in supporting our queer kiddos!
Visit the Whatcom Youth Pride website for event details. |
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| WWU Lavender GraduationThursday, June 4, 6:00 - 9:00 PM Viking Union MPR |
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| Congratulations to our WWU graduates of 2026! Join us queer elders as we stand in and show up for our queer young adults to celebrate our college grads at their special Lavender Graduation Ceremony. Graduates will be celebrated with a special certificate and rainbow chord as well as former WWU graduates. Special recognition will go to graduates and honored community members for their contributions to and support of the queer community on and off campus.
If you have been attending Generations of Pride this year you may know a graduate, and will also know how important it is for elders to show up to celebrate and support our queer young adults! There will be complimentary dinner, outreach tables and lots of opportunities to connect with the community. Be sure to stop by the BQC booth and say hello!
Be sure to register here by May 17 if you are graduating and plan to attend. If you are a former graduate of WWU you can also register and receive your certificate and rainbow chord! |
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| Juneteenth CelebrationSaturday, June 20 2:00-6:00pm at Maritime Heritage Park |
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Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. In 1863, during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared slaves living in the Confederate states to be free. The news that slavery was abolished did not reach the deepest parts of the former Confederacy in Galveston, Texas, until more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. It was on June 19, 1865, that Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.
Juneteenth celebrations are a platform for encouraging the acceptance of diversity and offer an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the sacrifices and challenges enslaved Africans endured to achieve freedom. We celebrate our African-American community members and commit to working together toward equity for all.
Juneteenth CelebrationJoin us on the afternoon of Saturday, June 20 at Maritime Heritage Park to celebrate Juneteenth!
What To Expect:✨ Live Performances 🍴 Food Trucks & Local Eats 🛍 Variety of Vendors 🎨 Kids Corner (games, activities & fun!) 🎶 Music, dancing & community vibes 🎁 Prizes & giveaways
Visit the Miraculous Eventz website to learn more about this event. |
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| | | 2025-2026 Sponsors/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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