LGBTQ+ Resource Center

Group of students attending a pride event, next to the text "LGBTQ+ Resource Center"

About Us

Mission

The LGBTQ+ Resource Center is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and affirming environment at Bellevue College for students, staff, and faculty of all identities across the gender, sexual, and romantic spectrums. We strive to provide relevant and comprehensive resources alongside transformative programming and events that center intersectionality, cultivate queer kinship, and empower students toward success in both their personal development and academic goals.

Vision

We envision a Bellevue College community where all students, staff, and faculty can:  

  • Feel safe to explore, develop, and embrace their gender, sexual, and romantic identities 
  • Feel brave to challenge norms and societal expectations 
  • Feel empowered as social change agents to advocate for their communities and dismantle systems of oppression

Community and Kinship

  • The LGBTQ+ Resource Center is a place where members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community can come to feel welcomed, included, and embraced. We are open Monday through Friday as a location where students can find resources and support, attend events, make friends, or simply take time to relax during their busy school day.
  • Our space has several computer stations, a 2SLGBTQIA+ library, comfy couches, beanbag chairs, blankets, arts & craft supplies, board games, as well as snacks, tea, and coffee.
  • We offer a variety of regular events and activities throughout the year where 2SLGBTQIA+ and allied students can come to have fun, learn, and build connections with their peers.

Resources and Advocacy

  • The LGBTQ+ Resource center serves as a hub for all things 2SLGBTQIA+, offering a wide variety of resources to students, as well as referrals to countless other BC offices and local community partners who can support students with any needs they bring from housing and food security to healthcare needs, mental health support, legal support, and more.
  • In addition to providing resources and events, we want to make Bellevue College a better place for queer and trans students to thrive by encouraging student advocacy. If there’s something about our campus you think could be improved to better support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, but you’re not sure where to start—come chat with us and we can help you navigate college policies, administration, and help you figure out the best ways to make your voice heard.

Joy and Celebration

  • We recognize the importance of uplifting our community by celebrating queer and trans joy in its many forms, every day. The LGBTQ+ Resource Center offers various programs and events throughout the year with this value in mind, including our annual Lavender Graduation ceremony, Pride Month events, and more.

Education and Learning

  • Throughout the academic year, the LGBTQ+ Resource Center holds various events, hosts workshops, and releases information to the greater campus community to spread awareness and knowledge about 2SLGBTQIA+ issues and cultivate allyship from the wider Bellevue College community. Examples include programming during LGBTQ+ History Month in October, Transgender Day of Remembrance in November, Transgender Day of Visibility in March, and more.

Community Agreements

Each year, students at the LGBTQ+ Resource Center provide feedback on a set of “Community Agreements” – ground rules for the Center that help set expectations for how we want to use the space and communicate with one another.

These are the Community Agreements for the 2024-2025 school year:

  1. Celebrate Diversity
    • Our community is incredibly diverse, and we each bring many intersecting identities and experiences. This space is for all of us – racism, ableism, and other forms of prejudice are not welcome.
  2. Throw Glitter, Not Shade
    • A bit of shade can be lighthearted and fun, but don’t let it get cruel. This Center should be a place people feel welcomed and embraced, not put down or excluded.
  3. Respect Boundaries & Consent
    • We fully encourage open and honest conversation about difficult topics, but we won’t all have the same comfort levels around certain topics. be mindful of yours and others’ safety during sensitive or explicit discussions, especially if students under 18 are present.
  4. Respect the Space
    • This Center is a shared space for the whole 2SLGBTQIA+ community at BC. Please make sure to pick up your trash, be mindful of your volume, and put supplies back where you found them.
  5. Don’t Assume Everyone is “Out”
    • Exploring gender and sexuality is a different journey for every person, and some folks may be “out” at the Center but not in other spaces. Check in with folks if you’re unsure, and never out someone without their consent.
  6. Ask for Help!
    • If something is making you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, or you are looking for any kind of resources, Please talk with a staff member. They are here to listen, help, and get you whatever support you need.

Resources & Information

Reporting Concerns on Campus

Counseling Center

  • The Bellevue College Counseling Center offers both appointments (in-person and virtual) and Drop-In/Crisis meetings. Counseling is offered in multiple languages and is completely free for current Bellevue College students.
  • In addition to individual counseling services, they also host a weekly LGBTQIA2S+ Support Group. See their Services page and “Group Counseling” for more info.

Academic Success Center

  • The Academic Success Center (ASC) provides free, high-quality tutoring and learning services for all students enrolled at Bellevue College.
  • In addition to scheduled and drop-in tutoring, the ASC also has the Reading & Writing Lab, and Math Lab, where you can go to work on homework and get support from tutors.

Benefits Hub

  • Bellevue College’s United Way Benefits Hub offers numerous resources to support students in need of services such as Financial Coaching, Housing Support, Free Tax Help, Emergency Assistance, and more.
  • Benefits Hub runs BC’s Food Pantry, a place where students, staff, and faculty can go to find free, fresh, and non-perishable food items and hygiene items.

Center for Career Connections & The Women’s Center

  • The Center for Career Connections and the Women’s Center at Bellevue College provide career development services for all students, alumni, and community members including:
    • Career Exploration
    • Resume, Cover Letter, LinkedIn, and Interview Skills
    • Job Search & Networking Strategies
    • Work-Study & Internship Opportunities
    • and much more!
  • Book an appointment Online or In-Person, or reach out to them at (425) 564-2279 or careers@bellevuecollege.edu with any questions.

The HPM Hub

  • The HPM Hub is a free resource provided by the Healthy Campus Project and the Health Promotion and Education program at Bellevue College that promotes sexual and reproductive health, health equity, and access to resources.
  • The HPM Hub offers: free internal and external condoms, lubrication, a limited supply of Plan B, and other resources for patient care, mental health, healthy relationships, melanoma, transgender students, and more.
  • Visit them Tue-Thu, 10AM-5PM, in the T Building, 2nd Floor Atrium (outside of T205).

Student Clubs & Organizations

  • Active LGBTQ+ Related Student Organizations
  • To see a list of all active student organizations, check out Student Engagement
  • Would you like to start a new student organization? Learn more here!
    • We want to see more 2SLGBTQIA+ related student organizations here at BC! If you’re interested in starting a club, let us know and we can help! You are also welcome to use the LGBTQ+ Resource Center as a meeting space!

Bellevue College’s Main Campus Map marks the locations of every All-Gender Restroom across our campus. Not every building on campus has an All-Gender Restroom, but many are being added/retrofitted and new buildings on campus are being built with them included.

All-Gender Restroom Locations:

(LIST STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

  • A Building:
    • 2 multi-stall restrooms with outdoor access on 2nd floor of the far South end of A Building (A264 and A266)
  • B Building:
    • 2 single-occupancy restrooms located on 1st floor, in front of Bookstore entrance
    • 1 single-occupancy restroom located on the 2nd floor, in the hallway behind the RISE MakerSpace
  • C Building:
    • 2 multi-stall restrooms with outdoor access on 1st floor of Northeast tower, near the “Doorway” sculpture (C173 and C174)
  • D Building:
    • 1 single-occupancy restroom located inside D175 (Print Services)
    • 2 single-occupancy restrooms located on 2nd floor of Library, near Study Rooms D240Q and D240E
  • E Building:
    • Currently no All-Gender Restrooms located in E Building
  • G Building (Gym):
    • 3 single-occupancy restrooms located on 1st floor, in the “Locker Rooms” hallway (G120, G122, and G124)
    • All three restrooms include an accessible shower and lockers
  • H Building (Student Housing):
    • 2 single-occupancy restrooms located in the hallway behind the student lounge (Bulldog Bistro)
  • L Building:
    • Currently no All-Gender Restrooms located in L Building
  • N Building:
  • Q Building:
  • R Building:
    • 1 single-occupancy restroom located in basement level, outside entrance to Dance Studio (R015)
  • S Building:
    • 1 multi-stall restroom located on 1st floor, near vending machines (S104)
  • T Building:
    • 1 single-occupancy restroom located on 1st floor, in hallway past Circle Cafe (T114)
  • U Building:
    • One or more single-occupancy restrooms located on each floor of the U Building (Floors 0-3)
    • On Floor 0, two restrooms also include accessible showers

Bellevue College

Changing Your Name and Gender on Student Records
  • Preferred Name and Gender
    • If you use a different name or gender than what is on official documents, Bellevue College allows you to set up a Preferred Name that will show up as your primary name in most of our systems.
    • See the linked page for instructions on making these updates, as they will need to be made in multiple locations.
    • On ctcLink, you can also update your “Gender Expression” information from your “Profile” page and it will be updated across the systems that use ctcLink data.
  • Legal/Official Name
    • To update your legal/official name in your student records, you must either submit the change in-person at Student Central (U Building, First Floor), or by submitting a Student Central Request for Help online.
    • A copy of a court order, passport, marriage certificate, divorce decree, adoption papers, or other legal document must be provided for the request.

Washington State

Birth Certificates
Driver’s License/State ID
Legal Name Change

Federal

Passport
Social Security

*Federal and State policies/procedures may change based on the shifting political climate and administration in the United States. We apologize if any information on these websites becomes outdated.

* = General Resource/Not LGBTQ+ Specific

Inclusion on this list does not necessarily indicate an endorsement by Bellevue College of these agencies or services.

2SLGBTQIA+ Scholarships

Health & Wellness

Mental Health Support

Housing, Food, and Basic Needs

Legal Support

QTBIPOC Support

Local Community Organizations

National Resources/Organizations

Events & Announcements

  • Pride in the Pow! Ski/Snowboard Trip to Crystal Mountain

    Saturday, March 22nd, 2025 Approximately 8:00AM – 5:00PM (Exact times TBD) Join the LGBTQ+ Resource Center and BC Wellness Center for a FREE day on the slopes at Crystal Mountain celebrating pride and queerness in outdoor spaces for their annual LGBTQ+ Pride event: Pride in the Pow! Available spots are limited, so REGISTER FOR THE…

  • New Weekly Programs at the LGBTQ+ Resource Center

    The LGBTQ+ Resource Center is excited to announce the launch of two new weekly programs: Weekly Study Session and Weekly Tea. Weekly Study Session happens every Wednesday from 1PM to 2PM at the LGBTQ+ Resource Center as a casual time for students to work together on homework in community. Various materials and study tools will…

  • [PAST EVENT] Anti-Valentine’s Day Party!

    Fri, Feb. 14th, 1PM-3PM, Multicultural Center (C-204) Whether you’re single, celibate, partnered, or polyculed, all are welcome to join the LGBTQ+ Resource Center to celebrate community, play games, do crafts, and enjoy free snacks and beverages – no romance required! Questions? Email: lgbtq@bellevuecollege.edu Want More Info? Visit: bellevuecollege.edu/mcs/lgbtq Check out our Instagram! @bc_lgbtq

Learn More

Contact

Hours

  • Monday thru Friday: 8:30am-5:00pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: CLOSED

Location

The LGBTQ+ Resource Center is located in Building C, Room 205. On the second floor, above the Fountain Cafe and through the Student Engagement Center. The Center can also be reached through the Multicultural Services office, C-206.

Photograph of Kenton Westerfield, Bellevue College's LGBTQ+ Program Lead.

Kenton Westerfield

Pronouns: They/Them

Title: LGBTQ+ Program Lead

Hometown: Aurora, Colorado, USA

Education:

  • B.A. in Theatre Arts, Minor in Sociology – University of Northern Colorado
  • M.Ed. in Student Development Administration – Seattle University

Background: Kenton has spent nearly a decade working as an openly queer, nonbinary, and neurodivergent educator supporting student access and success in higher education. Prior to their current role, they spent 5 years advising at Highline College where they were heavily involved in the LGBTQIA+ Task Force. They’ve also had previous experience working in a local college access non-profit, creating resources for first-generation college students, and doing social justice education work in student housing.

Email: kenton.westerfield@bellevuecollege.edu

Phone: (425) 564-2423

Office: Building C, Room 206

Brittany Mellander

Pronouns: She/They

Title: LGBTQ+ Student Affinity Coordinator

Hometown: Carlsbad, California, USA

Background: Brittany is a junior Digital Marketing BAS student back in school after a few years hiatus, ready to complete her degree while making a difference in people’s lives. Her previous role as the Chairperson for the LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group for a former employer has helped prepare her for this current role. She hopes to bring the community together and help prepare students for their futures through education, outreach and engagement with fellow schoolmates.

Email: lgbtq.coordinator@bellevuecollege.edu

Office: Building C, Room 205

Photo of Brittany Mellander sitting down at a table

Brief History of the Center

The LGBTQ+ Resource Center has existed on the Bellevue College campus for more than 15 years, originally starting as a student group and later becoming a physical resource center after advocacy from students and their faculty/staff supporters.

For most of its history, the Center was student-run and led by the LGBTQ Students Affinity Coordinator with the support of faculty and staff advisors. In Summer 2024, the LGBTQ+ Resource Center officially moved from the Student Engagement department to Multicultural Services and welcomed its first full-time professional staff member, the LGBTQ+ Program Lead.

Over the years, members of the LGBTQ+ Resource Center and the LGBTQ+ Task Force at Bellevue College have also contributed to numerous projects and improvements to our campus community, including but not limited to:

  • All-Gender Restrooms
  • Pride Flag crosswalks
  • “Power of One” Conference (April 2017)
  • and more!

Looking forward to the future, we are excited to continue fostering a culture of inclusion, joy, and equity for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at Bellevue College. With our new professional staff support, the Center is eager to grow and expand the services we are able to offer in the coming years.

The Bellevue College logo over a red heart with the text "You are welcome here" beside it

Last Updated January 29, 2025