LGBTQ+ Center's Newsletter
September 2025
More information on any of these topics can be found on our blog, and more info about research opportunities can be found on our website.
Announcements
✨The Campus Wide Pride Annual Mix and Mingle will be held on Friday, September 19th from 5:30-8:30!✨
There are still seats left for the Finding Your Voice Through Purpose workshop!
Events To Look Forward To…
Details can be found on our Google Calendar, our Events Page, and our Instagram.
SOGIE 101 - Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression
Dates: Wednesday 9/3, 2:00-3:00 (online)
Location: Wednesday 9/24, 10:00-11:00 (in person) in the Mountainlair’s Laurel Room
Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) are key elements of one’s identity that impact their experience in higher education. Our new SOGIE 101 Training is an educational opportunity to enhance cultural competence, understand student experiences in higher ed, and learn about campus resources.
This 1-hour interactive training offers participants the opportunity to reflect about the beautiful complexities pertaining to SOGIE while engaging in activities focused on finding solutions.
We encourage all staff, faculty, and students to take advantage of this opportunity. Sessions are offered online, in-person, and per request to groups and classrooms at lgbtq@mail.wvu.edu. Certificate of completion provided upon request.
World Suicide Prevention Day
Date: 9/10/25
Location: Mountainlair, In Front Of Hatfield’s
Time: 10:00-7:00 pm
Join the LGBTQ+ Club and the LGBTQ+ Center, as well as our friends at REACH and Carruth, this September 10th for World Suicide Prevention Day. We will be in the Mountainlair in front of Hatfield's at an information booth on mental health and suicide awareness on campus before we move upstairs to the Green to join Carruth’s big event from 4:00-7:00.
Whether you're interested in learning how to help yourself or how to support others during a mental health crisis, finding resources, recognizing warning signs, managing stress, and navigating difficult moments, we'll have information available to build the skills for making it through mental health crises.
Alphabet Soup Series
Date: 9/16/25
Location: LGBTQ+ Center, 2nd floor of the Mountainlair
Time: 11:00-1:00 pm
The LGBTQ+ Community is sometimes fondly called “alphabet soup” because of all of the different letters in the acronym–but what do they mean? And how is anyone supposed to figure out what they all are, on an empty stomach no less? We’re here to help!
This time for Soup Day, we’re diving into bisexuality. What does it mean to be bi? How is that different from being pansexual, or omnisexual, or something else? What are the most common myths around bisexuality, and how do you talk about the nuance surrounding this identity? We would love to have y’all join us over a meal to talk more about this largest-by-numbers letter of the acronym!
Campus Wide Pride Annual Mix & Mingle
Date: 9/19/2025 (new date!)
Location: Mountainlair Ballrooms (Here’s a handy little map, it’s on the 2nd floor)
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm
It’s time to meet some friends, y’all! The LGBTQ+ Center and our friends invite you to experience an evening of connection and curiosity. We’re hosting a mix & mingle to bring together members of the LGBTQ+ Community and our allies from all across campus. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, refreshing drinks, and engaging conversation while you play games, make crafts, and explore all sorts of resources at WVU!
Feel free to forward this newsletter, and don't hesitate to contact us with any questions at lgbtq@mail.wvu.edu.
Finding Your Voice Through Purpose
Dates: Fri, September 19
Fri, September 26
Fri, October 3
Location: Mountainlair, Mountaineer Room
Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
The LGBTQ+ Center, Purpose Center, and REACH are joining forces to help you learn to become the advocate that you want to be!
In this three-part lunch and learn workshop, you’ll identify your values, explore your strengths, and figure out how to balance your responsibilities as a student with pursuing your passions and meeting your own needs outside of the classroom. Lunch is on us, so bring your curiosity and your enthusiasm! Register by clicking on the event title above.
Get Involved With Student Orgs!
LGBTQ+ Club
Wed, September 3 (and then every other Wednesday, check out their calendar)
Mountainlair, Greenbrier Room (Here’s a handy little map, it’s on the 2nd floor)
Time: 6:00-7:00 pm
The next meeting (9/3) is a Bring Your Own Book (BYOB) Tea Party. Instead of a traditional book club where everyone has an assigned reading, the My Cup Of Tea Book Club offers a chance to come together and talk to other club members about a book you already love. What do you love about it? What’s the coolest part of the book? Who’s the best character? We’ll bring the tea, you bring the info, let’s have some fun together!
The LGBTQ+ Club is also looking for people to help it grow! If you have a skill, they can use it. Interested in marketing? Collaboration? Networking? Event planning? Is there something you’re especially good at? Fill out their opportunity survey and tell them how you can contribute to building the community you want to see.
OUTLaw
Date: Tue, September 30
Location: WVU College of Law AND Zoom
Time: 12:00-12:50 pm
OUTLaw is hosting two attorneys from the LGBTQ+ Committee of the West Virginia Bar Association who will be discussing Chiles v. Salazar, a case that the Supreme Court of the US is hearing this October about the legality of allowing therapists to recommend conversion therapy to their clients — specifically, is it a violation of the First Amendment to keep therapists from presenting the option?
Everyone is welcome to join, and light refreshments will be provided. There will also be more information about the club’s opportunity to attend the annual Fairness West Virginia Institute Gala. Fancy parties with fun people, y’all!
Rainbow Coats
Rather than having regular meetings, Rainbow Coats is dedicated to hosting events that help encourage understanding around LGBTQ+ health and safety. The officers are also willing to chat with students that have an interest in working in the medical field, so you can ask them whatever questions you have about how they got where they are and where they’re hoping to go.
Fall and Spring movie nights are already planned!
Watch & discuss Every Body November 6th at 6:00 in HSC North’s Fukushima Auditorium
Watch & discuss And The Band Played On February 4th at 6:00, also in HSC North’s Fukushima Auditorium.
Safe sex materials & information distribution was a total success! If there’s ever anyone who wants the supplies everyone needs to have sex safely, this org provides it for free.
West FURginia
West FURginia is a club dedicated to enjoying the art of anthropomorphic animals and their portrayals in media. We are most active in our discord server in the WVU student hub, but also occasionally host meetups in the WVU/Morgantown area.
Still setting up events and meetings for the year, but this club offers social opportunities within and outside of WVU, a super active Discord server to make friends, movie nights, and more!
oSTEM (Out In STEM)
We’ve found a lot of interest in revitalizing WVU’s chapter of oSTEM!! You can fill out this survey if you’re interested in joining, too!
This org helps LGBTQ+ students and allies achieve their academic goals, build community, and network with people from all over the US. oSTEM provides fantastic opportunities to everyone interested in STEM-related careers.
This year, oSTEM’s 15th Annual Conference is from October 16-18. More than 1,100 LGBTQ+ students, professionals, and recruiters in STEM fields from across the country and around the globe are gathering in Baltimore to share a space that's designed for attendees to share their professional and personal experiences and learn from one another. The Career & Graduate School Expo at the conference allows attendees to connect and network with professionals, academics, and colleagues from STEM industries and universities.
For more info, contact brian.powell@mail.wvu.edu.
NEW! Gamma Rho Lambda
An all-inclusive social sorority emphasizing tolerance, diversity, unity, and trust wants to start a chapter at WVU! Gamma Rho Lambda (GRL) welcomes potential members of all genders, sexual and romantic orientations, races, cultures, and abilities, and offers a network of assistance in the areas of scholastic guidance, emotional support, and community service.
Do you want to be able to talk about your experiences as a student at WVU and beyond, but you’re not sure how or who would listen? Want to get some practice public speaking with your peers, but without so much pressure to have the “right” answer? Do you have a unique window into life on campus as an LGBTQ+ person, or as an ally?
Anyone interested should email Becca Rohn at becca.rohn@hsc.wvu.edu.
LGBTQ+ Speaker’s Bureau (Launching This Semester!)
The LGBTQ+ Speaker’s Bureau is coming back! Some students have taken this idea and run with it, and we’re happy to support them!
The LGBTQ+ Speaker's Bureau is a student org that offers the opportunity to have an honest, open conversation with your peers about their lived experiences. Right now, the opportunity to reach out and talk to someone outside of your bubble is invaluable, and it's fun too. Do you want to be one of the people chatting? Do you want to be someone that could help organize the events? There are so many ways to help! Just take the survey linked above and we'll help you learn to use your talents to facilitate these conversations.
Community Corner
This section is open to the public! Events outside of The LGBTQ+ Center are posted here.
The Science Of Slime
Foundational STEM Learning Collaborative
Chemistry Research Lab, 1st floor
Thurs, 9/4 from 2:00-4:00 pm.
Do you enjoy making slime? Join our friends at the Foundational STEM Learning Collaborative in the STEM Learning Center Thursday, September 4th from 2-4 pm to learn how slime works on a molecular level while you make it! They’ll make slime while supplies last!
Fun With Collegiate Recovery
Serenity Place (724 College Ave – The Maple House!)
Downtown Library (Wise Library), 2nd floor
Thursdays from 5:00-7:00
Join Collegiate Recovery for weekly substance-free social events centered around health, wellness, adventure , community, service, and fun at Serenity Place. September is going to feature events like Paint A Buddy Night on 9/4 (paint pet rocks or choose from other crafts) and Movie & Milkshake Night on 9/11. All students are welcome!
Unplugged Workshop Series
Tue 9/9 & 9/23 from 3:30-5:00
The Carruth Center will help you take a break from doom scrolling! We’ll have activities to de-stress, build new relationships and learn practical ways to unplug from social media. September’s fun revolves around board games on 9/9 and sensory crafting onh 9/23. Contact Logan Burris with any questions.
Our Place
The Co-Op 131 Pleasant Street, Morgantown
Wed, September 17 from 6:00-10:00 pm.
Monthly, every third Wednesday
All ages 18+ welcome
If you’re interested in connecting with a community that stretches beyond WVU, there’s no place to start like Our Place! Play games, dance, eat, and hang out with very fun folks someplace cool besides a bar. Comfortable couches, good lighting, and great food (right next door at BCMac.)
This place is a calm, relaxing, safe space for LGBTQ+ folks and allies at the Co-Op in Morgantown. Great for an early evening so you’re not out too late!
Dance Your Way To Wellness
Sometimes you just need to move your body a little bit to feel better, but it’s not always easy to find non-judgmental people to do it with you, and trying to move your schedule around so you can go to an extra class across campus can definitely be inconvenient.
Fear not! The Dance Your Way To Workshops are back, better than ever, and on demand! You pick the time and place, and the world’s chillest instructor can come to you. If you want to learn a new dance move, or show off your current skill set, or you just want to goof off and let loose, just pick what works best for your schedule and send an email to Tinh Dang!
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Research - Call for Participants
The list of academic research in need of participants has just been updated! Take a look at the new content.
Studies must be IRB approved. Priority will be given to research being conducted as a requirement to fulfill academic degree.
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Student Jobs & Opportunities
Engaging Society: Careers in Community, Policy, and Service — Fall 2025
Thu, Sep 25, 2025
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. | Mountainlair Ballrooms
Students interested in public service, community development, social impact, public policy, and non-profits are welcome to join the Engaging Society career fair.
Thu, September 18, 2025
11:00 am to 2:00 pm | Mountainlair, Vandalia Lounge
The WVU Center for Community Engagement will be hosting their Community Engagement Expo Sept. 18! Students will be able to connect with nonprofits and on-campus organizations to explore opportunities in community involvement, service-learning, volunteering, and scholarship.
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Regular Hours
We will be open from 8:15a-4:45p Monday through Friday.
You can reach us by email at lgbtq@mail.wvu.edu
Check out our events page or subscribe to our Google Calendar to be the first to receive more information.