Student AffairsThis series focuses on joy and low-commitment social events - just show up and be yourself! Student-led and often paired with food, these events aim to connect and foster community, to celebrate and bring joy. Highlights: Culture Connect, Solidarity Swims, Roots and Recipes, Gender Diverse Song Circle, On The House Free Community Closet
Scroll to learn more about our events
for the 2026/27 academic year.
Culture Connect
These events are designed to affirm, uplift, and celebrate the diverse identities and lived experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) students through cultural programming, creative expression, and community care.
Culture Connect Movement Day: Saturday, October 3rd, 11:00-2:00pm
Culture Connect Market: Friday, March 12th, 12:00-3:00pm
Click the image to learn more about BIPoC community driven initiatives by checking out our Culture Connect booklet!
Solidarity Swims
These swims are for trans, nonbinary, and other gender diverse folx to gather and connect with community while enjoying the pool, and to bring along an affirming invited guest/loved one.
Details: The space is designed and hosted by gender diverse folx, has added privacy features such as a private pool booking (with locked doors during the event) and required registration (no cost), gender inclusive changerooms, trans-affirming trained lifeguards, fun floaties and pool toys, occasional door prizes, a queer music playlist, and a pool deck side wet classroom where you can store belongings, enjoy snacks and socializing, and more. Swims will take place weekly on Sundays from 2:00-4:00 pm.
Access notes: there is an elevator to the lower floor of the ARC where the pool is, as well as a ramp to enter the pool. There is also an arm chair lift (please email us if you require this so we can set it up in advance).
For those with sound sensitivity- we play our music at a lower volume than is standard for pools to allow for it to be quiet enough for conversations, however if you have auditory sensitivity we recommend bringing loops or ear plugs.
For gender diverse Queen's students accessing this program, we offer support with selection and cost of gender affirming swimwear (such as compression swimwear, standard swimwear, Pride patterns etc) while funds last.
Questions? email kel.martin@queensu.ca
Talk to ARC reception staff to be let into the pool and/or for directions to the pool, or make your way to the pool if you know the way! Changerooms open at 2pm, entrance to the pool deck opens 2:15, pool time (in water) is from 2:30-4. We also have the private changerooms booked until 4:30.
Registration is required: https://getactive.gogaelsgo.com/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=5809abf6-beab-4b69-804d-d0a8ab7aa079&semesterId=be38f9b4-7606-45d2-81f7-d719bcfa05d2
Fall 2026 Dates: Sept. 27th, Oct. 4th, 11th, 25th, Nov. 1st, 8th, 22nd, 29th, Dec. 6th, 13th
Winter 2027 Dates: Jan. 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st, Feb. 14th, 28th, Mar. 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, Apr. 4th
Roots & Recipes
A collaboration with the Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC), The Roots and Recipes culinary program provides students with meals that are healthy and free, while introducing them to global culinary traditions. Roots and Recipes aims to educate students about the origins of the dishes featured.
Meal Kit Distribution Dates:
- Wednesday, October 7th, 2026 - Bibimbap
- Wednesday, January 13th, 2027 - Jollof Rice
Cooking Class Dates:
- Thursday, November 12th 2026 - La Colombiana
- Thursday, February 11th 2027 - BHM with Chef Ralph from Creative Culinary Delights
Click the image to take a look at our booklet and learn more!
Gender Diverse Song Circle
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Gender Diverse Song Circle invites all gender diverse folx and their loved ones to an evening of joy and singing together. The song circle runs monthly in various locations- please see posts on Instagram for the most up to date information.
Details: The songs are ‘call and response’ and all voices are welcome. You do not need to know how to sing, or to sing well, to attend and engage. There are opportunities to tap an instrument, hum, or just listen.
Many songs featured are written by gender diverse song writers and artists and information on the artists is often shared ahead of a song. After a song is sung we often take time to 'feed the song' a tradition in these spaces that invites all present to share how we are feeling and how the song may have impacted us, and thank the song. Even if you are not comfortable singing you can still learn, listen, and are welcome to share how the songs impact you.
Gender diverse voices are often policed, and voice and singing can be a source of stress and discomfort. Song Circle seeks to provide space to celebrate gender diverse voices and build community.
Meet the leaders:
Max Gries (they/them) is a 50-something queer, non-binary, trans masculine person who believes in the magic of singing together and building community. Having taught classical piano lessons most of their life, they love the freedom and joy of singing with others in song circles. They have organized festivals, concerts, conferences, and other gatherings to bring people together around trans and gender expansive voice and singing, and more topics of justice and spirit. Max loves to be in or on the water, and listens to the birds, rocks, and trees. They believe interdependence, accessibility and inclusion, networks of care, and community space for grief and joy are all essential.
Indigo Bunting (they/them) is a local queer and non-binary lover of nature, music and community. Indigo has been active in the song circle community for over 5 years and loves to share the magic of music and community building with others! Indigo holds a bachelor of music and education, and leads a 2SLGBTQ+ song space at KFPL called Vibrant Voices.
Issy Dunn (they/fae) is a local genderqueer transmasculine person who has found magic in singing since fae was young. Fae has helped co-facilitate trans community groups and been part of the song circle community for the past 5-6 years. Fae loves being in water, communing with nature, and following the moon. Singing in community has been integral for them in learning how to tend grief, share joy, sing resistance, and practice community care. Fae values compassion, equity, accessibility, inclusion, community, and interdependence, and does their best to integrate these values into their work.
On The House:
Free Community Closet
On The House (OTH) is a free community closet open to Queen's students who are BIPoC and/or 2SLGBTQ+. We are dedicated to empowering students by helping them discover and develop their unique fashion identities, support sustainable efforts, and offer free access to clothes.
You don't need to donate to take from the close- just visit us at 207 Stuart St third floor weekdays 10am-3:30pm and take what you need. However, we do accept lightly worn clean clothing and acessories to support the growth of the closet.
What you can expect to find in the closet:
pants, shorts, skirts, dresses
button ups, tank tops, t shirts
sweaters, hoodies, jackets
professional attire
shoes, purses, jewellry and other acessories
scarves, hijabs, durags, silk lined bonnets/caps, pins
compression wear, binders, swimwear, trans tape
If you do not find what you need the in closet consider:
- taking a coupon for YgK Thrift offered on site so you can shop at the nearby downtown thrift store
- speak to a staff member to see what we have in the back room
- speak to a full time staff member regarding Dress for Success - we are happy to provide support and referrals to get a free styling appointment with them (includes free outfits) including professional attire.
- Looking for a specific culturally or gender affirming item? Speak to a full time staff member in an advising appointment and we can support with finding you what you need (for example binders, large femme shoes, compression swimwear, silk lined caps, durags, etc).
- Looking for items that are difficult to find in general- talk to us we often have ways of helping you find what you need! (larger sizes, winter jackets, etc)