The LGBTQ+ Center 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
This is our busiest week of September!
We’ve got a party!
We’ve got club meetings!
We’ve got a workshop to help you be the advocate you want to be!
We’ve got TONS of opportunities for connection and discovery!
We’re going to have the best time!
OUTLaw is hosting a food drive to benefit Morgantown Food Not Bombs! September 15-21, they're collaborating with The LGBTQ+ Bar and Gay For Good in a national effort to advocate for people experiencing food security. Donations can be dropped off in the Student Services Suite at the law school or at the LGBTQ+ Center in the Mountainlair.
✨The Campus Wide Pride Annual Mix and Mingle will be held THIS FRIDAY! September 19th from 5:30-8:30!✨
We’re announcing a new program for next month! On October 16th from 6:00-8:00 pm, join us in Brooks Hall G25 for a panel discussion about the importance of community to this part of Appalachia, and what that means going forward.
Events To Look Forward To…
Details can be found on our Google Calendar, our Events Page, and our Instagram.
Tuesday, September 16
Location: LGBTQ+ Center, 2nd Floor, Mountainlair
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Do you like free soup? What about discovering new fun facts through conversations with your peers? WE WANT TO FEED STUDENTS SOUP AND TALK ABOUT FUN STUFF! Come hang out with us!
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!
Finding Your Voice Through Purpose
Dates: Fri, September 19
Fri, September 26
Fri, October 3
Location: Mountainlair, Mountaineer Room
Time: 12:00 to 1:00 pm
Do you want to learn what you're naturally best at? Would it be cool to learn how to use those things to be a better advocate for the things you care about? The LGBTQ+ Center, Purpose Center, and REACH are getting together to teach you how in this three-part lunch & learn workshop.
We want to help you become the advocate that you want to be! This workshop series will help you 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. Bring your lunch, your curiosity, and your enthusiasm! All students are welcome to join!
Campus Wide Pride Annual Mix & Mingle
Date: Friday, September 19!
Location: Mountainlair Ballrooms (Here’s a handy little map, it’s on the 2nd floor)
Time: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Our biggest party of the year is almost here!
The LGBTQ+ Center and our friends invite you to experience an evening of connection and discovery. We’re hosting a mix & mingle to bring together EVERYONE 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!
You do not need to be a part of the LGBTQ+ Community to attend our mixer. The only two rules are 1. Show up, and 2. Be nice. Everything else is figure-out-able.
Feel free to forward this newsletter, and don't hesitate to contact us with any questions at lgbtq@mail.wvu.edu.
SOGIE 101
Wednesday, September 24 (in person)
Location: Mountainlair’s Laurel Room
Time: 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
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.
Get Involved With Student Orgs!
LGBTQ+ Club : Connection & Friendship
Wed, September 17 (and then every other Wednesday, check out their calendar)
131 Pleasant St, Morgantown
Time: 6:00 to 10:00 pm
Meetings:
The next meeting (9/17) is an 18+ GAME NIGHT at The Co-Op downtown! Ever wanted to meet some local LGBTQ+ friends and allies, but don’t know where to start? Do you ever wonder what your club officers do after the meetings let out? They’re about to take you with them to Morgantown’s best kept secret.
Feel free to meet at the Greenbrier Room and walk down or just go straight to 131 Pleasant St. The Co-Op has plenty of tasty non-alcoholic drinks with a cozy vibe, and it’s conveniently located next to B.C. MaC for when you get hungry!
Opportunities:
The LGBTQ+ Club is still looking for people to help it grow! If you have a skill, they can use it. Interested in marketing? Finance management? Collaborations? 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 : Law & Advocacy
Date: All week 9/15-9/21 & Tue, September 30
Location: WVU College of Law AND Zoom
Time: 12:00 to 12:50 pm
Food Drive:
OUTLaw is hosting a food drive to benefit Morgantown Food Not Bombs! September 15-21, they're collaborating with The LGBTQ+ Bar and Gay For Good in a national effort to advocate for people experiencing food securityFood items needed include oil, nutritional yeast, pasta, beans, canned tomatoes, rice, canned coconut milk, oats, sugar, spices, shelf-stable tofu, and flour. Drop items off at the Student Services Suite at the law school or at the LGBTQ+ Center downtown.
Lunch & Learn:
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?
Rainbow Coats: Medical Advocacy
Fall and Spring movie nights are already planned!
Watch & discuss Every Body November 6th at 6:00 p.m. in HSC North’s Fukushima Auditorium.
Watch & discuss And The Band Played On February 4th at 6:00 p.m., also in HSC North’s Fukushima Auditorium.
If there’s ever anyone who wants the supplies and information everyone needs to have sex safely, this org provides it for free.
Want to talk to a medical student about what it’s really like? Curious about how they got to where they are? Email lgbtq@mail.wvu.edu and we can help you connect with this organization for a 1-on-1 conversation.
West FURginia : Furry Community
Saturday, September 27 at 2:00 p.m.
Meet on campus and carpool!
Join the Discord Server for updates on the first major event of fall! The club will be meeting on campus to enjoy some food before they carpool to Cryptid Mountain Minigolf!
oSTEM : LGBTQ+ Inclusive Professional Development for STEM Majors
We did it! This org is officially off the ground thanks to the work of some incredible students. 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 and they’re going to Baltimore! Attendees can share their professional and personal experiences with each other to learn, experience, and grow in their fields. 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.
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.
Triota: Women’s & Gender Studies Honors Society
Wednesday, September 24 at 5:00 pm.
(Then Every Other Wednesday)
Mountainlair
Triota is a student organization that promotes excellence in feminist scholarship, advocacy, and community-grounded work. Our members are passionate about creating, just, equitable futures for all and would love to have you join our team! We meet every other Wednesday at 5pm-- email Sophie for more information.
Community Corner
This section is open to the public! Events outside of WVU are posted here.
Fun With Collegiate Recovery
Serenity Place (724 College Ave – The Maple House!)
Downtown Library (Wise Library), 2nd floor
Thursdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
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 Succulent Strength Craft for ED Recovery on 9/18 and a Sober Tailgate for Recovery Month on 9/20. All students are welcome!
Unplugged Workshop Series
Tuesday, September 27 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.
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 on 9/23. Contact Logan Burris with any questions.
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!
Week Of Purpose
All Week, Sept. 23-27
Now in its fourth year, Week of Purpose is a campus-wide celebration designed to help Mountaineers connect who they are to what they do—both inside and outside the classroom. Hosted by the WVU Purpose Center, this annual celebration brings together students, faculty, and staff for a week of interactive experiences, meaningful conversations, and reflection opportunities that center around identity, strengths, values, and impact.
Through workshops, pop-up activities, guest speakers, and community engagement events, participants explore their unique talents and discover how to lead lives of intention and meaning. Whether you're just beginning to uncover your "why" or looking to take the next step in your purpose journey, Week of Purpose offers inspiration, insight, and a stronger sense of belonging.
Join the Purpose Center as they continue to build a strengths-based, purpose-driven culture at WVU—where every Mountaineer is empowered to thrive!
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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 and 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.