College ‘Q Center’ offers ‘gender affirming haircuts’ at University of Binghamton

The scheme is joint production of the university’s Q Center and local businesses that are “queer-owned” or “queer-friendly,” according to a post on Instagram. “You’ve heard of Christmas in July,” the post declares, “here’s Pride in December!” In order to get a haircut, students just need to donate to the “Identity Youth Center.”

The New York state university focuses on public research, while the Q Center “advocates for the collective liberation of queer identifying people.” The center’s website explains how “We are cultivating an intersectional space where all queer students, faculty and staff at Binghamton University are empowered to be their full, authentic selves.”

In what has become “Pride month” throughout much of North America, the Q Center flew the “Progress Pride Flag” in June. “Dare to use your voice, your mind, your experience and your privilege to allow others to thrive,” Amanda Finch, assistant vice president and dean of students, told onlookers as she hoisted the banner. “I ask that we think about what each of us can do in order to create a diverse community, an inclusive community, one that’s caring and empathetic.”

The center never misses an opportunity to promote the LBGTQ agenda with plenty of activities. In November, the center hosted a panel discussion on “Decolonizing Gender.” For those wondering what exactly that meant, the center explained that it meant “exploring different gender identities outside of Western Culture in celebration of Trans Awareness Month.”

The group promoted “OUTober,” with 13 events for students to participate in, including a “Pride March,” a “Pronoun Day Button Making” workshops, a symposium on “ace” and “aro” identities and a discussion called “Sex & Chocolate: Queer Edition.”