A Place Where Everyone is Welcomed
“QuAQ is the group for queer and allied Grebelites!” explained Maxel (Max) White. “It was created with the intent to be a safe space for anyone and everyone, with a focus on creating a community between the queer, trans, and allied residents of Grebel. We hold weekly meetings designed to get people talking and create a space where everyone can be themselves without any judgment.” Max and Katiana Wieczorek are QuAQ (Queer, Allied, and Questioning) reps on the Student Council at Conrad Grebel University College this term.
In addition to weekly meetings, QuAQ organizes various events to build community and educate others. Some recent activities have included a paper airplane contest, movie nights, and game nights. "We also have recurring events like Questions for Queers, where queer-identifying students at Grebel are invited to talk, and Presentation Night, where everyone is invited to give a short PowerPoint on any topic of their choice,” added Max.
QuAQ works to create an environment that offers a “unique chance for students to find a safe space where they can truly be themselves,” Katiana remarked. These events also attract new students like Katiana herself. “I started attending QuAQ events last year to see what the group was all about, and I quickly realized how much I enjoyed being there. The meetings helped me connect with people and provided a safe space to just be myself.”
“I felt that my personal experiences being queer would allow me to help younger first-years figure themselves out too,” shared Max. “I came out as trans in grade nine and was able to start my social and medical transition earlier than most of my peers. It’s been almost six years since then, and I felt like the lessons I learned about what it means to be queer were something I wanted to share with other residents at Grebel,” he added.
