Penn State Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity

🌌🚀 the (no actually) Chaos and Calm of the Camp Q***riosity Kick-Off Picnic! 🚀🌌

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us for our first day of Camp Q***riosity! It was such a pleasure getting together as employees of Penn State, and taking some time to relax and have fun! We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

The next Camp Q***riosity is coming soon, on Monday, June 29. Stay tuned for more details! See you soon campers! ❤️

Long before today's LGBTQ+ student organizations and campus resources, students at Penn State were already building community, creating spaces for connection, and advocating for change.

Founded in 1971, the Homophiles of Penn State (HOPS) brought together students and community members who believed in ending discrimination against homos*xuals through education, advocacy, and support. Despite challenges, HOPS organized social events, educational programs, and activism efforts that helped shape LGBTQ+ history at Penn State and beyond.

Throughout the 1970s, HOPS created opportunities for community, conversation, and visibility while documenting their work through publications like ZAP. Their efforts remind us that Pride is built on the courage, dedication, and persistence of those who came before us.

As we celebrate Pride Month, we honor the students, alumni, and community members who helped lay the foundation for LGBTQ+ life at Penn State. Their story is an important part of our shared history and a reminder of the power of community. You can also learn more about HOPS at the University Archives collection within the Eberly Family Special Collections Library.

🏳️‍🌈 Happy Pride Month from the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity!

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Thinking about what it’s like to be LGBTQ+ in State College? 🌈

These moments from this year’s Pride Parade tell part of the story.

State College may be known as a college town, but it’s also home to a vibrant, welcoming, and resilient q***r community. Throughout the year, you'll find Pride celebrations (both at Penn State University and within the local community), community gatherings, advocacy efforts, social events, support networks, and countless opportunities to connect with people who understand and celebrate you for who you are.

Whether you're arriving at Penn State for the first time, transferring from another campus, or simply looking for your place, know that there is a community here waiting to welcome you. From students and employees like us at the CSGD, to local residents and community organizations, Pride in State College is built on connection, belonging, and showing up for one another.

As you begin your journey here, we hope you know that you don't have to navigate it alone. There is space for you, your story, and your identity here. 💜



(These photos belong to Matthew Cropp (posted with the Daily Collegian), and Evan Halfen (posted with statecollegecom)

🏕️🌈 Camp Q***riosity begins tomorrow! 🌈🏕️

The first day of camp is almost here, and we can't wait to welcome our campers for an afternoon of community, creativity, and q***r joy.

Join us for the Camp Q***riosity Kick-Off Picnic on:
📅 Tuesday, June 16
🕧 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
📍 Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity (HUB LL011)

We'll have food, lawn games, music, activities, and plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues from across Penn State.

If you already RSVP'd, we're excited to see you there! While RSVP registration has closed so we could finalize food orders, any Penn State employee is still welcome to join us. We just can't guarantee that additional food will be available.

Grab your friends, bring your curiosity, and get ready for a summer of connection, community, and camp-inspired fun! ✨🚀🌈

(Our Camp Logo was created by Gail Thompson! Super grateful ❤️)

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🏃‍♀️🌈 Community Spotlight: Q***r Run Club 🌈🏃‍♂️

We want to give a huge shout-out to ***rrunclubsc for welcoming two members of our core staff, Kate and Patrick, to their gathering on Monday, June 8! 💜

For those who do not know, Q***r Run Club is an incredible community of q***r athletes and community members in State College, offering a welcoming space for runners and walkers of all paces. Whether you're looking to get some movement in after the workday, build new friendships, or connect with other LGBTQ+ folks in the area, this group creates a fun and affirming environment to do just that.

Their weekly meetups typically include a 2 to 3 mile run or a shorter walking route (about 35 minutes) through campus, downtown State College, and more, often followed by opportunities to socialize and connect. ✨

Kate and Patrick had an amazing time meeting everyone and are so grateful for the warm welcome, great conversations, and sense of community they both experienced. Everyone who truly so sweet, and they had an absolute pleasure getting to meet everyone!

So if you've been looking for a running group, a walking group, or simply a way to meet amazing people in the local community, we highly recommend checking them out!

Follow ***rrunclubsc for upcoming runs, walks, and events, or stop on by during the next meeting! 💜🌈

***rRunClub PrideMonth

🌈 SUMMER CONNECTION SERIES - COMMUNITY VIBE CHECK 🌈

What does your summer feel like right now? ☀️

As part of Month 1 of the CSGD Summer Connection Series, we're building a collaborative Summer Mood Board and we want your help! Whether your vibe is 🌿 peaceful, ⚡ energetic, 🎨 creative, 😵‍💫 chaotic, or somewhere in between, we invite you to share what summer looks and feels like for you.

Submit:
✨ 3 words that describe your summer
📸 A photo, meme, GIF, or image
🎧 A song, lyric, or quote
🎨 A color that matches your current energy

You can participate through our Microsoft Form or by sending us a DM. Selected submissions may be featured in future recaps, newsletters, and social media posts! Form can be found in the link in our bio!

Help us create a snapshot of our community's summer—one mood, color, and vibe at a time. 💬🌈

🏳️‍🌈 Throwback to Pride at Penn State!

This archival photo captures a sign displayed near Pattee Mall reading, "Gay Pride is Gay Power." We take this as a reminder of the courage, visibility, and advocacy that has shaped LGBTQIA+ history on our campus and beyond.

For generations, LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, staff, and community members have worked to create spaces where people could live authentically, build community, and push for a more inclusive future.

As we celebrate Pride Month, we honor those who came before us and recognize that their efforts continue to make a difference today. Their stories are part of Penn State's history, and part of the ongoing work of creating belonging for all.

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As Pride Month continues, we're looking back at some of the incredible moments we've shared together this year. 🌈✨

From our Pride Month Signature Events to the Mental Health Is Not a Drag Show and our Out and Engaged trip, these experiences have been opportunities to build community, celebrate LGBTQIA+ identities, foster connection, and create lasting memories.

While June gives us a special opportunity to uplift and celebrate Pride, our commitment to supporting, affirming, and celebrating LGBTQIA+ students doesn't end when the month does. Pride is year-round, and we're grateful for every student, partner, performer, and community member who helps make these spaces possible.

Here's to continuing to show up, build community, and celebrate who we are—this month and every month. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

🏕️🛸 Introducing Camp Q***riosity 🏕️🛸

We are so excited to share with you Camp Q***riosity, which is a retro-inspired, five-week summer series for staff at Penn State focused on community, curiosity, and joy! Our goal: to bring together employees of Penn State and grow our community, forge new friendships, and create a place to resource-share, skill swap, and more! ❤️

Through low-key, camp-style gatherings featuring picnics, games, crafts, conversations, and "fire-pit" skill swap opportunities, the series creates space to connect with colleagues across campus in a welcoming and relaxed environment.

Today, we invite you to join us for our Kick-Off Event on Tuesday, June 16th for an afternoon of picnic-style fun featuring lawn games, music, creative activities, and community-building outdoors. The kick-off starts at 12:30 p.m. at the CSGD, HUB LL011!

To help us plan for food and supplies, please RSVP for the kick-off event using the link in our bio or in our stories!

‼️PLEASE NOTE: RSVPs close on JUNE 8!‼️

Come as you are — camp is for everyone ✨
We hope to see you there!

(Shout out to our amazing student worker, Gail, for creating the Camp Q***riosity logo!)

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🎵✨ What song gets you through the work day? ✨🎵
Whether it helps you power through a project 💻, keeps you focused 📚, boosts your mood ⚡, or simply brings you a little joy throughout the day 🌈 — we want to hear it!

As part of our Summer Connection Series, we're creating a community playlist built by YOU. 💛

🎧 Theme: Drop a Song That Gets You Through the Work Day

There are no wrong answers! This playlist is all about collective care, shared vibes, and discovering the songs that help our community keep going. 🎶🤝

📲 Submit your song through the link in our bio, in the comments, or respond to today's story!

Let's build the ultimate soundtrack for getting things done together. 🎵☀️