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Yellow House Student CentreThe Yellow House Student Centre for Equity and Inclusion team is committed to creating comfortable and accountable spaces for students who identify as Queer, and/or Trans, and/or Black, and/or Indigenous, and/or as People of Colour (QTBIPoC) to feel safer, to create community, to be empowered, to celebrate their identity, and to flourish. We seek to engage students in initiatives that actively dismantle oppressive, racist, and colonial ideologies and practices.
The Yellow House operates within the Division of Student Affairs at Queen's University.
| Throwback
Learn about what we've been up to since we last wrote you in September! | | We kicked off the academic year with our Yellow House Welcome at our main location, the Rideau Building at 207 Stuart Street on September 19! This was such a fun day of collaging, crafting, snacking and connecting! We loved an opportunity to connect with you all. Check out this fun reel from the day! | | The Black Welcome took place the following week at Wallace Hall on the evening of September 26. This third annual event included two Black-owned food businesses, Jerkebago and Afiyi Eats that brought Jamaican and Haitian food culture. Local dance instructor and Queen's researcher, Nomsa Mngoma of Dansani worked with ACSA's dance team to lead everyone in a line dance. And student photographer, King-David Olajuwon, captured it all in stunning portraits and candid photos. | | |
We know you're stressed and cramming for finals! We're in this together. BIPoC students are welcome to come to BIPoC study hall Tuesday, December 9 and 16, 5-9pm at our main location, 207 Stuart Street, third floor. Drop in to study, have a snack, get comfy and lock in.
| | What's Next?
Scroll down for details on our upcoming events! | | |
Solidarity Swims
Most Sundays at the ARC
2-4
Solidarity Swims are open to Queen's students and wider Kingston community members who are gender diverse (trans, agender, nonbinary, genderqueer, bigender, Two-spirit, etc) and their invited plus one's (each gender diverse person may bring one invited friend or loved one). Check out the link below to learn more and register. The swims are no cost- however registration is required:
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Gender Diverse Song Circle
January 23 @ 140 Stuart Street
5:30pm-8:00pm
Gender diverse community members (transgender, non binary, agender, genderfluid, bigender, etc) and invited loved ones are invited to an evening of joy and singing call and response songs at 140 Stuart Street (yellow cottage) on December 1st, and January 23rd from 5:30-8:00pm. Hosted by Yellow House, Beyond the Binary, and TransFamily Kingston, and led by gender diverse community members. Click the link to learn more about the song circle.
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Black Swims
Most Fridays at the ARC
4-6
Black swims is a collaboration between Athletics and Recreation and the Yellow House. This program is for Black students, faculty, staff at Queen's, and Black Kingston community members and their invited guests of any background. The swims are for all levels of comfort in the water. There are three levels of adult swimming lessons available to cater to various abilities. Come and swim lanes, hang out in a floaty or join in on a swim lesson. This year we’re offering free swim caps thanks to the Inclusive Community Fund. Weekly Fridays 4:00pm-6:00pm:
Dec: 12 | Jan: 16, 23
Feb: 6, 13, 27 | Mar: 6, 13, 20, 21, 27, Registration for next term's lessons are open!
| Digital Storytelling: Supporting Student Activists Collaboration with It Gets Better Canada
Saturday, January 20
4:30-6:00pm
Join us for a workshop that will explore the power of storytelling and sharing our lived experiences, why personal storytelling is vital in activist work, and how our stories can affect social change. Learn how to craft an engaging story, basic digital literacy, responding when hostility arises, and, how to navigate online spaces safely when sharing our stories. | | |
Queer Scribbles
Alternating Mondays
4:30-6:30.
140 Stuart Street
Queer Scribbles invites 2SLGBTQ+ students to our therapeutic writing circle facilitated by 2SLGBTQ+ Psychotherapist Shannon on Monday December 8th, January 19th, and other alternating Monday's this semester from 4:30-6:30pm at 140 Stuart Street! Check out our weekly events post to learn what the theme is for each session.
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Black Light: Navigating Complexities: The Intersectionality of Blackness and Disability in Higher Education
Thursday, January 22
5:00-8:00pm
This collaborative event iwith QSAS, features author Leroy Baker, this workshop will be a discussion on disabilities in higher education for Black students. Register here.
| | We had a fruitful discussion with alumnus Manny Zangio at our Black Light in November! He shared so many great insights, we decided to recap them here. Scroll below to learn more! | | Community: Trans and Gender Diverse
Winter Gathering | |
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December 17: Join us for Gender Splendor at 4pm and stay for the Gender Diverse Winter Gathering at 5 pm when community joins us for dinner.
What to expect:
- Food provided: turkey legs, gravy, stuffing and mashed potato, potluck style (bring a dish to share - halal, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free dishes encourage).
- winter songs, and non-secular carols
- take a gift leave a gift, games & activities.
- Registration required. Save the date for now and keep and eye on our Instagram for the registration link.
| | | | Creativity Corner: Kyesjewels | | |
My name is Kye Arienda-Jose, I am a first year commerce student and the owner of Kyesjewels. In the summer of Grade 9, I discovered jewelry making. What started off as a hobby, quickly turned into a profitable small business. They feature cute elements, such as cats, mushrooms and nature, but also popular characters such as Sanrio, Totoro and Pokémon. I sell mainly on my website and at markets.
My business has been my main outlet of creativity, as I get to share my crafts with others and help them find their personal style. Additionally, I enjoy crafts such as crocheting, embroidery and photography.
| | Are you a creative student of colour like Kye? Do you want to participate in our Culture Connect Market or be featured on our socials? Culture Connect is a program at The Yellow House Student Centre for Equity and Inclusion designed to recognize and celebrate the various identities within Black, Indigenous and People of Colour student communities at Queen’s. This program creates empowering spaces where students can proudly share their creativity (crafts, jewelry-making, henna, nail art, etc) and find a strong sense of belonging. If you're a current student who celebrates your identity through art, wellness, fashion, music, storytelling or more, we’d love to feature you in our Culture Connect Market in March 2026. Attend our market and sell your items/services - no cost associated! Fill out this form if interested! | | Do you know of a student who is actively engaging in social justice work on campus? A student that gives their peers a strong sense of belonging? A student that is a leader and makes campus a better place? Share your thoughts with us and nominate them to be featured in one of our newsletters as well as on our Instagram! Nominate them using this form. | |
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A little about the Yellow House Newsletter
Welcome to the Yellow House Student Centre for Equity and Inclusion Newsletter! My name is Tianna Edwards and I am the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Coordinator at Yellow House, I curate this special newsletter. I started my career in journalism and I am really passionate about storytelling as well as archival practices - especially when it comes to queer and racialized folks. I want students to feel seen and heard! The purpose of the newsletter is to build sentiments of belonging, validate lived experiences and celebrate all of the wonderful students, programs and events associated with the Yellow House and also make sure that folks know what is coming up so they don't miss any opportunities to participate! I hope you enjoyed scrolling through this joyful update from the Yellow House Team, artwork by student staff Kizzie Johnson.
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