SPARQ offers a variety of social and educational events for all LGBTQ+, exploring and ally students.
See below for some of the annual events and opportunities that SPARQ hosts. If you have ideas or thoughts about types of programs you would like to see or want support around, talk to a SPARQ Peer Advisor!
SPARQ Community Room
The SPARQ Community Room is a dedicated work and community building space where the SPARQ Peer Advisors host their weekly drop-in hours. The intention for this space is for Peer Advisors to offer guidance and support to queer students and allies.
This space will be open during the academic year, 9:00a – 5:00p (hours varied if a Peer Advisor is working after 5:00p). Students are able to use this space to study, access the Queer Closet, or engaging in community building with others during the hours it is open.
In 2025, SPARQ received committed support from a dedicated Alum, Eric Braitmayer ’88. There is a recognition of his commitment to Bates and SPARQ that can be viewed outside the SPARQ Community Room.
Flourish: Queer Closet
Flourish is SPARQ’s Queer Closet, dedicated to offering clothing and options for gender-expansive and students exploring or experimenting with gender expression to access clothing for free.
This resources was established by a Peer Advisor in 2024. We are continually accepting donations including but not limited to:
- t-shirts, blouses (various sizes)
- shorts, pants, skirts (various sizes)
- dresses (various sizes)
- Jewelry and accessories
- gently used or new shoes, heels
- gently used or new chest binders
- gently used or new make-up backs (various shades and palettes)
If you are interested in donating some items, please connect with adelreal@bates.edu to coordinate a time for drop off.
Bloom: Student Advisory Board
Bloom has been rebranded to a monthly group that is facilitated by Peer Advisors and supported by the Assistant Director for LGBTQ+ Programs.
The purpose of the Advisor Board is to bring together a small group if dedicate students interested in support SPARQ Peer Advisors in their considerations for events and bringing attention to student wants and needs as it relates to LGBTQ+ visibility on campus.
The Advisory Board is made up of student volunteers. If you would like to be a part of the SPARQ Student Advisory Board, please reach out to adelreal@bates.edu
Awareness
Vibrance: Nonbinary Visibility Week
Vibrance is our week-long recognition of the nonbinary community and experience.
Nonbinary Visibility Week is recognized around the full-week surrounding International Nonbinary People’s Day (July 14). Check out our Instagram page for stories and highlights.
BELIEVE: Bi+Pan Visibility Week
BELIEVE is our recognition of Bisexual and Pansexual identities and experiences.
Bi+ Visibility Week was established nationally in 2014 and is recognized every September 16-23 and leads into Bi+Pan Visibility Day on September 23.
Stop by our table at Commons on September 23 and get some Bi+Pan swag!
PRISM: Inviting-In Week
Formally recognized as “Coming Out Week”, PRISM is our week-long program centered on self-embracing and recognition. Coming Out was a movement to create more intentional visibility of queer communities during a time when queer people were forced to stay hidden in public and private spaces.
The concept and practice of “Inviting-In” instead of “coming out” allows queer people to active choose who they want to share this part of their life with. There is no pressure to be publicly out, and that your experience as a queer person is valid regardless of your outness.
Radiance: ASPEC Week
Radiance is our week-long recognition of the Asexual and Aromantic spectrum. There are many identities and experiences that fall under this umbrella.
ASPEC Week is recognized during the last full week of October.
Find us tabling in Commons for some ASPEC swag and on social media where we explore and speak more to the many identities that fall under the Ace/Aro spectrum.
Aspire: Trans Visibility Week
Aspire is our week-long recognition of Trans Visibility Week, which brings awareness and visibility to trans identities and experiences.
Recognized nationally as Trans Awareness Week, Aspire falls between November 13-19, and leads into Trans Day of Remembrance on November 20.
Find us in Commons to pick up some trans pride swag and to learn more about the week-long events.
Heart: Lesbian Visibility Week
Heart is our week-long recognition of Lesbian Visibility Week, which brings awareness and visibility to the Lesbian/Women-loving-women (WLW) community and their historical and current contributions to the world.
Lesbian Visibility Week is recognized the last full-week of April, and often surrounding Lesbian Visibility Day on April 26.
Other awareness days
- International Nonbinary People’s Day, July 14
- Bi+Pan Visibility Day, September 23
- National Coming Out Day, October 11
- Trans Day of Remembrance, November 20
- World AIDS Day, December 1
- International Asexuality Day, April 6
- International Pansexual and Panromantic Awareness Day, May 24
Inspiration: Active Ally Workshop
Inspiration is an LGBTQ+ Active Ally Workshop and serves as our version of the Safe Zones workshop, aimed to provide an introductory workshop that aims to offer students an educational and processing space to explore how they can develop their skills and show up as active allies to their LGBTQ+ peers.
Celebrations
Lavender Ceremony is our annual ceremony to recognize the accomplishments of the LGBTQ+ and allied graduating students. Any student is welcome to participate, regardless of their level of involvement with SPARQ and the SCBC.
Students do not have to identify as LGBTQ+ to participate in this ceremony.