The LGBTQ+ Center Newsletter
December 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
Y'all, welcome back. We hope you've had a great time so far and we're here to help you finish the year in great shape. We've got a lot of low-spoons events planned where all you need to do is come to sit around and say hi, so we hope we get to see y'all soon.Events To Look Forward To…
Details can be found on our Google Calendar, our Events Page, and our Instagram.
World AIDS Day - Free Take Home Tests
Mountainlair LobbyMonday, December 1, 11:00-2:00
WellWVU, the Mon County Health Department, and the LGBTQ+ Center are in the Mountainlair Lobby on the first day back from break to give out free and discreet take-home HIV Rapid Tests, as well as other judgment-free, safety-focused health supplies. Head into December with a little extra knowledge and a few more tools to stay safe. See you there!
SOGIE 101Online: Wednesday, December 3 Time: 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
In-person: Monday, December 8Mountainlair’s Laurel RoomTime: 1:00 to 2:00 p.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.
Sit And Listen: Safe & Seen: Suicide Prevention In ActionDate: Thursday, December 4Mountainlair Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The LGBTQ+ Center and our friends at REACH, Carruth, Morgantown Pride, and the West Virginia Trans Coalition invite you to experience a one-of-a-kind discussion between a licensed professional counselor, a crisis hotline worker, a community activist, and the audience to talk about suicide prevention.
No energy left? Out of spoons? Ever-present sense of dread and malaise? No worries, this is exactly the event you need. No extra energy required, just grab a comfy chair and listen.
We’re kicking off the evening with a screening of the short film Trevor, which inspired The Trevor Project–a national non-profit that provides crisis support services to LGBTQ+ youth. Then, we’ll be asking our panelists about their work; what led them to their fields, what challenges they see ahead, and what you can do to help keep yourself and your friends safe when the going gets tough.
Get Involved With Student Orgs!
LGBTQ+ Club : Connection & Friendship
Date: Wednesday, December 10
Mountainlair, Mountaineer Room
Time: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Come celebrate the end of the school year with the WVU LGBTQ+ Club at our Candlenights party! It’s our non-corporate holiday & a time to enjoy company, reflect on our successes and challenges, and just get-together as a community. We’ll have a delicious potluck dinner, cozy hot chocolate, games, and even some crafts! This year, we’re making tie-blankets to donate to children in need—hope you can join us!
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.
Triota: Women’s & Gender Studies Honors Society
Date: Wednesday, December 3(Then Every Other Wednesday)
Mountainlair
Time: 5:00 p.m.
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.
oSTEM : LGBTQ+ Inclusive Professional Development for STEM Majors
Date: Wednesday, December 3 to Friday, December 5
Stem Learning Center (100 Prospect St. Morgantown)
Time: Beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Come join oSTEM for a Finals Study Session at the Stem Learning Center! Refreshments will be provided, and entry is free.
Or, just come to meet with fellow STEM/LGBTQ+ peers. Keep up with them on Instagram or join their GroupMe to get more updates on future events.
WVU NAACP: Political, Educational, Social, and Economic Equality for All
Date: Thursday, December
Location: Mountainlair Greenbrier Room
Time:
WVU’s chapter of the NAACP will be hosting an informal round table discussion with Mark King, Morgantown’s regional branch president. The topic will be stigmas in mental health and how to advocate for your needs.
West FURginia : Furry Community
Join the Discord Server for updates on their next events!Rainbow Coats: Medical Advocacy
Spring’s movie night is already planned! Watch & discuss And The Band Played On February 4 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.
LGBTQ+ Speaker’s Bureau: Accepting Members!
Stop by the LGBTQ+ Center on the 2nd floor of the Mountainlair or get in touch with is via this Qualtrics survey to learn more!—
Community Corner
This section is open to the public! Events outside of the LGBTQ+ Center are posted here.
Tuesday December 2nd from 2:00-3:00 at the AER lounge, The Lane Department of Computer Sciences and Electrical Engineering's Community, Values, and Engagement committee is hosting a panel discussion on Women in Computing. Featuring a collection of powerful women as speakers; undergrad with leadership roles, a grad student, a faculty member/retiree, and an industry leader, each will talk a little bit about their experiences as women involved in computing/STEM, with a focus on the gender disparity in computer science. with a specific focus on the computing science field. Then the moderator will ask some questions and facilitate questions from the audience.
Serenity Place (724 College Ave – The Maple House!)
Downtown Library (Wise Library), 2nd floor
Thursdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
After break (12/4), it’s time for festive ornament crafting and hot cocoa! And next week (12/11) it’s time for their Holiday Party with free food and fellowship! there’s a ton of fun in between. Check out their newsletter to see what’s up.
Join Collegiate Recovery for weekly substance-free social events centered around health, wellness, adventure , community, service, and fun at Serenity Place. There will be free food, games, and a costume contest. Any are welcome to join.
Panel Discussion: Listen and Learn about Women in Computer Sciences
Tuesday December 2ndRoom 120, AER Lounge 2:00-3:00
The Lane Department of Computer Sciences and Electrical Engineering's Community, Values, and Engagement committee is hosting a panel discussion on Women in Computing. Featuring a collection of powerful women as speakers; undergrad with leadership roles, a grad student, a faculty member/retiree, and an industry leader, each will talk a little bit about their experiences as women involved in computing/STEM, with a focus on the gender disparity in computer science. with a specific focus on the computing science field. Then the moderator will ask some questions and facilitate questions from the audience.
Unplugged Workshop Series
Time: 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. For December, they will be doing a Make Your Own Zine night! Contact Logan Burris with any questions.
Dance Your Way To Wellness
Free On Demand
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!
LGBTQ+ and Friends Christmas Tea
Date: Sunday, December 7Old Drummond Chapel, Suncrest UMC (479 Van Voorhis Road, Morgantown)Time: 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.Join some folks around town for warm fellowship, Christmas festivities, teas, coffee, hot chocolate, and holiday goodies!
YOU HEARD US–IT’S DEAD WEEK KARAOKE!
December 9th AER Atrium
12:00-3:00
Relax. Breathe. You're almost through the semester. To celebrate, Lane Department of Computer Sciences and Electrical Engineering's Community, Values, and Engagement Committee is hosting karaoke at the AER Atrium, across the quad from Evansdale Library. Take a second to sing your stress away, belt out those end-of-the-year-blues, and enjoy some time with Reaser-- WVU’s Computer Science's Karaoke Champion.
Time To De-Stress with REACH
Location: 3rd Floor Student Services Center
Time: 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Unwind with some activities before finals week! With free snacks, giveaways, and activities, there is sure to be something to help you relax and recharge as you prepare for the upcoming exams.
Our Place
Date: Wednesday, December 17 (Third Wednesday Every Month)
Co-Op, 131 Pleasant Street
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
We hope you enjoyed the Feast With Friends on the 19th; it’s never been more fun, and were very happy to see you there! Event details for December’s get together are to-be-determined for now, but we’ll have more information
___________________________________________________________
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. -----
Jobs and Opportunities
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship
Application Deadline: 5:00 p.m., December 5, 2025Awarded January 17, 2026, 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms
Are you a full-time undergraduate student with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher? Have you shown an active interest and meaningful involvement in human rights, civil rights, social justice, world peace, or other activities in line with the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? Do you need a scholarship?
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship is open to all students who meet the criteria, regardless of race, color, or national origin. More details linked above.
West Virginia University MSW Information Sessions
Fall 2025 Dates: Wednesday, December 3, 3:00-4:00pmTuesday, December 16,
6:00-7:00pm
A Master of Social Work (MSW) from West Virginia University opens doors to a wide range of impactful careers. Whether you see yourself advocating for children and families, shaping and providing health and mental health services, supporting older adults, influencing policy, leading community initiatives, or driving organizational change—your MSW equips you to be a powerful advocate and change agent at every level of service.With an MSW, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to fight for social justice, elevate underserved voices, and transform lives in diverse settings including behavioral health settings, schools, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and beyond. This isn’t just another degree—it’s your pathway to meaningful impact and lasting change.Join us for one of our live, virtual MSW Information Sessions in Fall 2025. Learn about our on-campus and online MSW programs, admissions requirements, application tips, and more.
Big Interview - Career Services
Career Services is pleased to introduce Big Interview, a free and innovative training system designed to help students prepare more effectively for job interviews. This online platform combines comprehensive training with practical exercises to enhance students' interview techniques and build their confidence. Check out the overview of Big Interview here!Big Interview Includes:
- Mock Interview Practice: Tools for students to practice and record their interviews.
- Extensive Curriculum: Written and video resources covering the entire job search and interview process.
- Feedback Mechanism: Easily share videos internally or externally for constructive feedback.
- Admin Dashboard: Access detailed reports and analytics to track student progress.
- Customization Options: Create and record custom questions and question sets tailored to specific needs.
- Assignments and Custom Sets: Design and assign personalized interview questions.
- Resume Builder: Assist students in building strong, professional resumes.
Charles S. Longcope Jr. Writers and Artists Grant
The Gay & Lesbian Review/WORLDWIDE (The G&LR) — a bimonthly magazine of history, culture, and politics focusing on LGBTQ+ issues that publishes non-fiction and poetry, as well as reviews of books, movies, and plays — is proud to announce the 4th annual Charles S. Longcope Jr. Writers and Artists Grant for emerging scholars, writers, and artists across disciplines and fields that make a contribution to LGBTQ+ scholarship or the arts!
The purpose of this gift is to bring new and diverse ideas and voices to the magazine and to encourage and support emerging and unpublished LGBTQ+ writers, thinkers, scholars, and artists. Recipients will receive funding (up to $5,000) to write an article for the magazine and to begin, complete, or advance LGBTQ+ related writing and other creative projects such as a research paper or thesis, a book, a podcast, a video, a script, a novel, a multimedia creation, or an art installation.
For more info, visit https://glreview.org/the-gay-lesbian-review-writers-and-artists-grant/. Applications are due by February 15, 2026 at 11:59pm EST.
-----
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.