QPenn

QPenn is Penn’s annual week-long LGBTQ+ cultural celebration, typically occurring in the middle of the Spring Semester!

The LGBT Center supports campus leaders and partners to develop programming (both social and educational) for the Penn community to celebrate queer and trans identities and highlight the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community on campus and beyond. See below for highlights from previous QPenn celebrations and for more information about QPenn 2026!

QPENN 2026

Monday, April 6

: Join us on Locust Walk (Outside of the Penn Women’s Center (3643 Locust Walk) as we kick off QPENN 2026! We will have the schedule of events, registration links, merch and DONUTS! See you there.

: PAACH is excited to be hosting their next AsianTalks event at the LGBT Center on April 6th. Join us during QPENN week, for a conversation on how Asian Pacific Islander (API) identity intersects with sexuality. Lunch provided! Scan the QR code or follow the registration link here:

: Our monthly family dinner will take place on Monday, April 6th! Family dinners are an opportunity for Penn community members to gather over a free meal. All are welcome! Join us for a special family dinner where will host a raffle, have giveaway items, and details on all things QPENN! Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options will be provided with food from Mr. Platano!

: What is asexuality? What is aromanticism? What is amatonormativity? Penn Aces & Aros is hosting an Aro-Ace crash course on Monday, April 6th! Join us at 7:30pm in the LGBT Center Kaplan Perry Library!

Tuesday, April 7

: Join Penn Non-Cis and Penn Aces & Aros on April 7th at 6pm for our Speed Friending Event! This event will be a series of short, one-on-one conversations where you’ll rotate and meet someone new each round. Each table will have suggested questions to help get things started, but you’re welcome to take the conversation wherever it goes. After the rounds, there’ll be some open time to socialize more freely and exchange contact info if you’d like. Help us prepare by RSVP-ing here:

: Wellness will be hosting Coloring & Connections: Sex & Relationships Edition on Tuesday, April 7th in the Penn Women’s Center Living Room (3643 Locust Walk) at 3pm. Stop by to color while having open and creative conversations about sexuality, relationships, and ourselves. No registration is necessary, but please note that this event has coloring pages that contain explicit content.

Wednesday, April 8

: The Office for Academic Excellence & Engagement and GSWS invites UPenn scholars to join this fun and creative yarn painting event! No prior experience is needed and all supplies will be provided. Lunch will be provided to participants who RSVP. Please scan the QR code or follow this link to RSVP here:

: In honor of QPENN week, Restorative Practices at Penn and the LGBT Center are hosting a community building circle for LGBTQIA+ students, staff and faculty. This healing and solidarity circle will be held at 12:30pm in the Goodhand room at the LGBT Center. See you on April 8th! Circles are structured dialogues led RP@P facilitators with prompts for reflection and connection. Scan the QR code or follow the RSVP link here:

: Join Wellness at Pennon Wednesday, April 8 at 2pm in the LGBT Center (3907 Spruce St) Kaplan-Perry Library, for a conversation on substance use and sobriety within the queer community. We will explore how social and cultural experiences shape these conversations and share strategies for navigating queer spaces as someone who is sober or sober-curious. Together we will consider how to foster more inclusive and affirming environments for sober members of our community.

: LEAP is excited to be hosting Trivia Night! Join us on Wednesday, April 8th at 6pm for a fun night of food, drink, culture, and community. LGBTQ+ Employees at Penn (LEAP) is a group dedicated to the retention and edification of Penn’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer employees of the University of Pennsylvania. This group is open to all staff, faculty, and postdocs, exhibiting a diverse range of interests at Penn. Scan the QR code or follow the registration link here:

Thursday, April 9

: Happy Sapphic Visibility Day! Join us at the Penn Women’s Center (3643 Locust Walk) on Thursday, April 9th at 12pm to celebrate sapphic identities with a tea party, snacks, and crafting! We will be making collage self-portraits and all supplies will be provided.

: Join us for our first Scholar-in-Residence events of 2026 in partnership with @penngsws (please note the new times!) Events are open to the public however we request you RSVP! Our first Scholar in Residence is Niambi E. Stanley! Niambi E. Stanley, also known as Icon Niambi, is a pioneering trans cultural leader, performer, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of influence in ballroom, media, and community advocacy. A legendary voice shaped by resilience, Niambi blends artistry, activism, and business to uplift trans and queer communities through storytelling, performance, education, and spiritual insight. From ballroom history to digital platforms, Niambi’s work centers visibility, truth, and liberation unapologetically and authentically. Niambi will be in conversation with @penngsws Dr. Eva Pensis and her course!

: Join the Penn LGBT Center, Penn Traditions, Penn GALA, and Penn Leadership Q for an evening honoring LGBTQ+ alumni leaders as part of QPENN Week 2026! This relaxed, community-focused event features brief spotlights from accomplished LGBTQ+ Penn alumni, including Trustee Joan Lau, followed by an open Q&A and informal mingling over dinner. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, community connection, or just a great evening with good people, this one’s for you. Dinner will be provided and all are welcome. We hope to see you there! 🌈 RSVP here:

Friday, April 10

: Join Queer & Asian and Drag King Eugene Rideher for a pre-drag show makeup tutorial! This event will be a casual drop-in event and makeup supplies will be provided.

: Harrison College House and the LGBT Center are excited to co-sponsor the annual QPENN Drag Show. This event is open to all members of the UPenn Community. All undergraduate students have access to the college house, but must complete the registration form to attend. All graduate students, postdocs, staff, and faculty should complete this RSVP and check in with security to attend the show. Any non-Penn guests must email Eric @eanglero@upenn.edu for registration. The Drag Show is taking place on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 7:00 pm in the Harrison College House Roof Top Lounge. This means to ensure easy access into the college house you must register to attend here:

Saturday, April 11 AND Sunday, April 12

: Join us on Saturday, April 11th for a walking tour of the Philly Gayborhood. This tour does require walking/travel by foot and all long-distance travel will be on public transportation. We will meet at the LGBT Center at 3:30pm. SEPTA passes provided for those who register. Register your spot by April 8th here:

: Happy hour open for all graduate students, part of QPenn LGBTQ+ week programming QPenn is an annual weeklong celebration of the LGBTQ+ Community at Penn. Join Lambda Grads and other queer graduate organizations for a fun, casual spring mixer! All grad students welcome. Your ticket will provide entry, one drink ticket, and buffet access. To purchase a student ticket, you must be currently enrolled and registered in a degree-granting graduate or professional program at Penn. Register here:

Tuesday, April 14

: Come discuss Dr. Brockenbrough’s book “Learning While Black and Queer” in conversation with Marc Ridgell – a William Fontaine Fellow and UPenn PhD Student. This event is open to all Penn community members! Book copies will be raffled. No registration is needed and we will provide lunch. Dr. Ed Brockenbrough is an associate professor at UPenn’s Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE), where he teaches courses on diversity and social justice issues in education.