On Saturday, Sept. 15, the Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center collaborated with the GVSU Department of Campus Recreation to put on the second QueeraPOOLooza party—a free event open to all Grand Valley students, staff, and faculty and the general public. 

“Grand Valley’s QueeraPOOLooza parties are fun and celebratory events intended to create a fun and affirming space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to enjoy our wonderful pool in the Fieldhouse,” said Associate Director of the LGBT Resource Center Marla Wick. “Participants can swim, play water games and dive, and light snacks are provided.”

Grand Valley stands firmly with their institutional commitment to inclusion and equity. Specifically, the Department of Campus Recreation’s mission is to enhance and engage the GVSU community by providing inclusive and diverse recreational opportunities that inspire participation, promote health and wellbeing and encourage student development and success.

“QueeraPOOLooza is an event that withholds all of the values of GVSU’s mission to provide a variety of opportunities for students,” said Director of Campus Recreation Kate Harmon.

“We view events like QueeraPOOLooza as advancing our shared goal of making GVSU’s campus a safe, celebratory, and affirming place for people of all genders and sexual orientations,” Wick said. 

In the future, the Department of Campus Recreation and the LGBT Resource Center will continue to imagine new ways to welcome LGBTQIA+ and allied students into recreational programs, services, and facilities. 

“All students should have the opportunity to get involved, be active, and live healthy,” Harmon said. 

Both QueeraPOOLooza events have had encouraging turnouts and success. Students and members of the local community expressed tons of excitement towards the event.

“What better way to celebrate diversity than with free food, music, and a pool?” one student said. “I met people at the summer event that I can relate to that I now call my friends.”

Grand Valley’s LGBT Resource Center works hard with their partners in Department of Campus Recreation to host fun, diverse and inclusive events for all. GVSU will continue to host events similar to QueeraPOOLooza, where diversity meets physical activity and living active, healthy lifestyles. 

It’s possible that Grand Valley will host another QueeraPOOLooza event in the future. For more information about LGBT related events, visit www.gvsu.edu/lgbtrc.