About Us
Our Story
Queer Eugene is a local organization started in June 2021 by Lake and Trystan Weeks to support queer folks in Oregon with access to resources and community. As of July 2022 we have applied for nonprofit 501(c)(3) status and received IRS confirmation of our 501(c)(3) status at the beginning of August! Our mission is to organize support, resources, and community for queer folks in the state currently known as Oregon. We will do this through events, information gathering and sharing, and one day have a physical space to develop a queer community center. Lake has stayed with Queer Eugene as a board member and current President of the Board; Trystan has stayed with Queer Eugene as the Technology Administrator and volunteers at events. We hope to grow our presence and connections within the community and create space for all of us to enjoy together.
Leadership
Lake They/She
Co-Founder, President of the Board
Lake is a teacher in Eugene, Oregon. They are excited to be excited and help people as they can with the many projects they take part in. Can’t wait for Queer Eugene to have a home and welcome folks to it! Lake creates events for Queer Eugene to lead, and also supports other community organizations with their events. Very happy to be a part of the community and building it up together!
Trystan Weeks He/Him
Co-Founder, Technology Administrator
Trystan is a local queer artist and tech aficionado. Trystan currently manages the QE website and our technology needs. Between projects, he is working on web development and exploring the intersection of art, science, and technology. Trystan is excited to help foster online communities and to connect people with resources. From Salem originally, he's been living in Eugene for five years with his partner and two cats.
Alexander Holmes He/Him
Vice-President of the Board
Alexander lives locally with his dog, Portia. He has been an RN for nearly 10 years and currently works in an integrated primary care / behavioral health clinic that both fulfills him and makes him just a teeny bit insane. He has been professionally homosexual since coming out in high school in 2005- becoming the first “out” student in his school’s history and striking a flame that lead to a Gay/Straight Alliance that exists to this day. He loves hiking, movies of all sorts, cooking, and can often be found at local swimming holes in his full merman glory.
Cortney Harrington They/Them
Secretary of the Board
My name is Cortney. I am a Life Skills teacher for middle school students. I graduated from the University of Oregon with a Master's degree in education. I am the secretary board member of Queer Eugene. I believe in using any abilities I have to help build a community that can find homes within themselves as well as one another so that we can all thrive instead of trying to survive.
Devyn Thurman They/He
Treasurer of the Board
Devyn is a 28 year old queer who has been living in Eugene for 5 years with their partner and 2 cats. Currently working as a social worker, Devyn has had the opportunity to work with many different communities in lane county and strives to support connections throughout it. Devyn has worked as a group leader in numerous Rotary conferences, as well as has coordinated volunteer events and fundraisers throughout college. They are excited for more opportunities to help build up our community. An Oregon native, they enjoy spending time at the beach, planning camping trips and having every window open to smell the rain. When they’re not at work you will find Devyn playing board games with friends, arguing with their cats, cooking needlessly complicated meals and napping.
Gabie Mbenza-Ngoma She/Her
Board Member
Gabie Mbenza-Ngoma is a queer, Black Congolese American Antiracist elementary school teacher in Portland.
Branden McFarland He/Him
Board Member
Branden is a middle school teacher in Portland, Oregon. He graduated from the University of Oregon with a Master's degree in education. As a queer educator, Branden is dedicated to making schools safe and affirming spaces for young people. In his free time he enjoys collecting and playing trading card games, painting D&D miniatures, and baking bread.