There are numerous impactful and meaningful events held at Grand Valley State University on a weekly basis. Ask any student and they will probably be able to point to an event that has been an irrevocable part of their college experience — where they found a strong sense of community, made lifelong friends and had experiences they’ll never forget. 

While I’ve gone to many incredibly impactful events as a student, I would consider the Queer Rave put on every semester by the GVSU Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) to be the most impactful event I have attended at GVSU. 

I’ll be honest, I have a bit of a bias when it comes to this selection, as I am a member of the YDSA. I have contributed to the setup and planning of this event several times throughout my college experience. It holds a special place in my heart. However, my reasoning for this event being so impactful goes well beyond my own personal involvement. 

The Queer Rave provides an opportunity for LGBTQ+ students to find community on campus during welcome week, and again during the winter semester. For many students, the Queer Rave was the first large community event they attended at GVSU. It allows queer students to start college surrounded by a welcoming community.

The genesis of this event arose in response to an anti-trans speaker coming to campus on the invitation of the libertarian club, Lakers for Liberty, in spring 2023. The YDSA organized the first Queer Rave in a small Kirkhof room on a shoestring budget. It served as both a protest against campus division/anti-trans rhetoric and a safe haven for queer students on a difficult day. The inaugural Queer Rave is said to have brought in 30 students, and received a warm reception from all who attended.

Due to the success, the YDSA put on another rave that August, during welcome week. This was the first one I was involved with, and to say it left an impression on me would be an understatement. With a much larger room and around an equally small budget, this event drew approximately 300 students, 10 times the reported attendance of the original. Without the spectra of an anti-trans speaker looming over the event, the fall 2023 rave was simply a night of queer joy at GVSU.

While also held once during the winter semester, the Queer Rave has gone on to become a quintessential part of welcome week at GVSU, beating out many of the school-run events in terms of attendance. If you are wondering next welcome week how to make some cool new friends, and for some reason haven’t yet attended, I implore you to come on over to the rave.