July 2025 Newsletter
Lower Columbia Q Center Monthly Newsletter: July
Happy July, Friends!
The Lower Columbia Q Center recognizes July as Disability Pride Month. We celebrate and honor people with disabilities, and their identities, culture, and positive impact made in our community. We offer a welcoming and accessible space, and opportunities to connect with the community online, outdoors, and in public. We advocate for disability rights, human rights, and believe that disability is a natural and beautiful part of human diversity.
What an exciting summer it has been! This month, we’ve hosted a family friendly bike ride at Fort Stevens on the 4th; Honored Non-Binary People’s Day on the 14th; held Storytime in the Park on the 20th; and even had a visit with Oregon’s First Lady! We hope you all have been enjoying the beautiful weather, community building events, travel, and outdoor activities!
Even though Pride Month is over, the work to support and uplift our community continues! Thank you to all of our generous donors, sponsors, volunteers, community partners, and friends for supporting the Lower Columbia Q Center.
We are honored to continue serving the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, upholding our mission of being a safe and affirming nonprofit resource center that provides outreach, education, and financial support to the queer community and allies of the Lower Columbia region.
As we prepare for the end of summer and beginning of fall, we can expect some scheduling changes to best serve our community. Starting in August, our office hours will be available Monday - Thursday by appointment only. Please reach out to us to schedule a time to connect.
Gender Alliance will be meeting twice a month, on the second and fourth Tuesdays. Our Trans 101 Workshop will be offered monthly starting August 18th. We will also be ending our Queer Chill-Out Game night to extend our Youth Group.
But we also have some exciting additions to our Fall schedule - including a Memoir Writing Workshop with Zoë Bossiere, Community Coming Out Day Read Aloud, Queer Neurodiverse Peer-Support Group, and an LCQC Volunteer Training Workshop. Stay tuned for details!
Healthy Queer Living: Do you know your status? Get tested for STIs, pick up safe sex supplies, and learn more at Clatsop County Public Health. Visit their website for scheduling appointments, drop-in services and more info!
Recovery Inspirational Quote: “Recovery is about progression, not perfection.” Join our weekly Queer Recovery Group, in partnership with Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare, every Wednesday at 6p at the Q, and Fridays at 12p at CBH Bond St office in Astoria.
Queer Youth: Starting in September, we will offer Youth Drop-In Monday - Thursday from 3p - 5:30p, in addition to our weekly youth group time. Our Youth Group (13-17) is in partnership with Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare, Public Health, and the Columbia River Maritime Museum. This is a safe space for queer youth and allies ages 13-17 to connect, play games, create art, learn new skills, and have access to queer affirming health and wellness services. We also have a weekly YA Group (18-29) that meets every Monday at 5:30p for young queer adults interested in creating art, playing games, and building friendships. For more info on meetings, please reach out to Ben@lcqcpride.org
Book Clubs:
Family Storytime in the Park: We kicked off our newest family friendly programming in June, “Family Storytime in the Park.” Join us on the third Sunday at 10a at the Children’s Park Playground for family friendly themed stories, singalongs, and play!
Trans Philosophy Book Club: In January, we started a weekly trans philosophy book club, and started our first cohort with “Trans Philosophy.” After completing the series in the spring, we decided to take a brief summer pause and will resume with Gender Outlaw by Kate Bornstein, in September. Contact ben@lcqcpride.org for more info!
Summer Reading Suggestions
Motherlover by Lindsay Ishihiro
Love in Exile by Shon Faye
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
Upcoming Events: Queer Lil Hike at the Cathedral Tree Trail on Sunday August 10th, 10a. Family Story Time at the Park on Sunday August 17th 10a at the Children’s Park and Playground. See the flyers for more details!
If you want to get involved or learn more about the LCQC, please visit our website or reach out to info@lcqcpride.org.
Thank you for supporting the Lower Columbia Q Center, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
