Affirming Care Initiatives

Wellness focused and tailored for students who are BIPoC and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Often guided by therapists, counsellors, and other wellness professionals. Highlights: Gender Splendor, Queer Scribbles, Annual Gender Diverse Wellness Retreat (April)

 

Scroll to learn more about our events 

for the 2026/27 academic year.

 

 

Gender Splendor

Meditative labyrinth activity at Wallace Hall (Gender Splendor 2026)

Gender Splendor is a bi-weekly therapeutic support space rooted in the belief that we discover Self through community and community in Self. This is a space held by and for gender diverse folx—trans, non-binary, agender, bigender, genderfluid, questioning, and more. The group meets on alternating Wednesdays from 4:30pm-6:30pm at 140 Stuart Street. Registration on arrival is required.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Queer Scribbles

Set up of a past Queer Scribbles event at 140 Stuart St.

Queer Scribbles is more than a therapeutic writing group— it's a bi-weekly gathering of poets, scribblers, feelers, storytellers, and lamenters. Together, we write toward freedom. Queer Scribbles is open to all 2SLGBTQ+ students and gathers on alternating Monday's from 4:30pm-6:30pm at 140 Stuart Street. Registration is required upon arrival.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Gender Diverse Retreat

Image from the 2026 edition of the Gender Diverse Retreat.

Open to gender diverse student at Queen's. This retreat will involve activities and spaces to connect, reflect, and celebrate gender diversity with gender diverse peers & facilitators.

Details: This retreat is open to non-binary, genderqueer, agender, genderfluid, and other gender diverse Queen's students (undergraduate and graduate). The retreat is 2 nights/3 days at Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre (30 mins outside of Kingston), and for 2027 will run from April 23rd - 25th.

This retreat occurs after exams, is sliding scale cost ($0-$75) finances are not a barrier to attending, and students in Residence can stay later than their last exam (until return from the retreat) at no extra charge.

Applications for the retreat open in the November-January range and can be found on our Instagram. Successful applicants will be contacted between December-February to confirm. 

Image from the 2026 edition of the Gender Diverse Retreat.

Access: we will work closely with the accepted applicants leading up to the retreat to ensure all your questions are answered, to discuss cabin arrangements, dietary needs, and any accommodations you may need.

Expect: heated cabins, meditation and mindfulness, art making, cooking together, hiking, canoeing, campfires, song circle and much more.

Check out this recap from the 2026 retreat!