Drag Bingo Night Tonight As Part Of Western Illinois’ QueerVember Activities
The Western Illinois University LGBT*QA Resource Center will host its first QueerVember with a wide variety of events to celebrate and raise awareness of the LGBT*QA community throughout November.
The LGBT*QA Resource Center will pay homage to the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) on Wednesday, Nov. 20, with a solemn vigil dedicated to honoring the memory of transgender individuals whose lives were lost to acts of anti-transgender violence. TDOR serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by the transgender community and underscores the urgent need for continued efforts to achieve equality and justice. This day amplifies the call for visibility, acceptance and allyship.
“I take pride in being part of a community that is invested in celebrating diversity and inclusivity,” LGBT*QA Resource Center Graduate Assistant Eunice Asanoh said. “Queervember serves as a bridge for members of the LGBT*QA community and allies to align, and uplift the banner of inclusivity and positivity.”
QueerVember will be comprised of a series of events throughout the month of November, giving members of the WIU LGBT*QA community opportunities to express their pride.
“Pride is more than just colorful parades and vibrant flags; it’s a profound testament to the importance of embracing our individuality and celebrating the diverse tapestry of identities within our community,” Yazmin Laserna, LGBT*QA Resource Center graduate assistant, said. “This month serves as a beacon of acceptance, a reminder that regardless of who we love or how we identify, we are all valued and cherished members of this inclusive family. So let’s come together, with open hearts and open minds, to honor our differences and revel in the beauty of unity that Pride month brings.”
The following events will be held to celebrate QueerVember:
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- Thursday, Nov. 14, 7-9 p.m. – Drag Bingo | Grand Ballroom
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- Friday, Nov. 15, 4-6 p.m. – Gaymers Night | Digital Rec Center
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- Monday, Nov. 18, 2-4 p.m. – Flashes of Pride Photoshoot | Memorial Hall 401
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- Tuesday, Nov. 19, 3-5 p.m. – Trans* Women are Women | Multicultural Center
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- Wednesday, Nov. 20, 5-8 p.m. – Trans* Day of Remembrance | Multicultural Center
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- Thursday, Nov. 21, 4:30-5:30 p.m. – Voces Invisibles | Multicultural Center
“The MCC’s commitment to providing a space that not only acknowledges but celebrates queer identity cannot be understated,” Alaina Martin, a student who frequents the MCC, said. “In times when LGBT+ rights face harsh backlash, the LGBT Resource Center is an important place where I can go to find community. Since freshman year I’ve been involved with the LGBT+ Resource Center, through being the treasurer of Chingonx Afrocentric Queers and attending various LGBT+ events.”
Community and faculty, staff and students are invited to these events.
The LGBT*QA Resource Center will recognize Pride Month on Saturday, April 19, 2025, with the second annual Pride Festival on the Multicultural Center Lawn.
For more information on the events, visit the LGBT*QA Facebook page or contact the LGBT*QA Resource Center at lgbtqa@wiu.edu or (309) 298-4004
