by Dylan Jewett

On a quiet evening, the Eric Rofes Multicultural Queer Resource Center (ERC) hosted an event for students on campus called Queer Joy in Nelson Hall. The event held on Nov. 14 aimed to provide an opportunity to express yourself through makeup and gender-affirming clothing, surrounded by a like-minded community. 

During the event, there were a lot of different gender-affirming items available for guests to use and take home. This included guides on how to use the makeup, a clothing closet and drinks available for the guests. Groups across campus like the Women’s Resource Center, Campus Advocate Team and Student Health and Wellbeing Services were also tabling, offering a place for students to ask questions and learn about what their respective offices offer and how they can serve the student body.

Event Organizer and Fiscal Director Jesse Benefiel put together the Queer Joy event to showcase the resources available on campus for queer students and to give them a space to express themselves. Queer Joy started before Benefiel came to the school, but he continues to host the event. 

“It’s a chance to express yourself,” Benefiel said. “That’s an important thing for our community, being able to express yourself.”

Junior criminology major Alejandra Sanchez came to the event to explore more ways to support queer people and students.

 “It’s really nice to know that there’s a space where they can come and express themselves and have fun,” Sanchez said. “It’s an opportunity where you get to meet other queer students and find community.”

The live DJ for the event, Parker Smith, was mixing songs and bringing dance tunes for the crowd to enjoy. Smith has been a DJ for other events at Cal Poly Humboldt like Skate Night and TrExpo, and does other live music as well. She likes to DJ these kinds of events because she can highlight queer musicians and give back to her community. 

“Queer joy at its core is love, experimentation and expression,” Smith said. “I feel like it’s something we’re actually good at. I love that we can all share; it’s joyous.”

Cal Poly Humboldt student Jamie Lambaren attended the event and was decorating the laces of their shoes with pony beads. Lambaren likes coming to queer events hosted by the school because they are more inclusive. 

“I’m glad there’s a space for that and they’re allowing that,” Lambaren said. “I couldn’t think of any other way of having it.”

The ERC hosts other events throughout the school year like Queer Karaoke, crafting events and tabling in the quad for Transgender Day of Remembrance. Next semester, they are hosting TrExpo, a trans expo where they highlight resources around the community for trans students. 

“It’s very good to remind everyone that we have this community here,” Benefiel said. “It shows that there’s people who are there for you.”

Dylan Jewett is a fourth-year Journalism major at Cal Poly Humboldt. You can catch them wandering the forest, exploring the coast with their camera, enjoying live music and crocheting little things in their free time. Contact them at daj59@humboldt.edu.