At a small Catholic university where conversations around gender identity and sexuality can often feel complicated, the Pride Alliance for Queers (PAQ) student club is working to make sure every student feels seen and supported. Founded in Spring 2025, PAQ has quickly become a gathering place for LGBTQ+ students.
PAQ’s mission centers on building that sense of belonging and family spirit, which is also a characteristic of a Marianist education.
“Our mission is really to connect with LGBTQ+ students,” said Jax Wong, the PAQ president. “The club welcomes allies too, but its main focus is to create a safe and affirming space.”
PAQ began when a team of students noticed the lack of LGBTQ+ visibility on campus. Before the club existed, there was a small support group through Chaminade’s Counseling Center. However, the support group struggled to reach students.
For many members, the need for PAQ became clear as soon as they arrived on campus. Without a known support system, students who were questioning or trying to understand their identities had few safe spaces to turn to.
“I didn’t see very much trans inclusivity on campus,” said Wong, a fourth-year Psychology student. “I also didn’t see LGBTQ+ support in general.”
This concern helped spark a conversation among students and staff about creating something more approachable. By creating a club, Wong and the past club officers felt that the best way to make support more accessible and visible was to do something student-led.
PAQ’s advisor is Pono Riddle, who also serves as Chaminade’s director for Inclusive Excellence and Academic Success. Riddle agreed the campus needed a fully visible LGBTQ+ student space.
“I didn’t have anything like this when I was a student here,” said Riddle, who graduated from Chaminade in 2018. “I wanted to help create something more supportive for today’s students.”
As the club has grown, PAQ has shifted its energy from hosting mostly big, one-off events to building smaller, more personal gatherings. Wong explained that his goal as president is to focus on smaller community meetings where students can decompress and connect without feeling the need to present themselves in a certain way.
Along with many other student organizations on campus and around different universities, one of PAQ’s biggest challenges is student engagement. Students juggle work, family responsibilities, and tight schedules, and the officers have learned to adapt.
PAQ, which has received interest from 19 students but has had five students at the meetings, has embraced the idea of welcoming whoever shows up, whether it’s a large group or a small circle of regulars.
“If it’s the same three people, then we at least got to them, and they are here,” Riddle said.
Another factor that PAQ’s officers have kept in mind is the safety of students and staff members who would like to attend their events, since some people feel uncomfortable attending events that might draw attention.
Despite these challenges, support for PAQ from the campus community has been strong. Riddle mentioned that he has not heard any negative comments about their club and that staff members have expressed how important and meaningful it is to see an LGBTQ+ space on campus. That encouragement has helped the club grow and reassured its importance within the Chaminade community.
Looking forward, PAQ plans to deepen its commitment through more karaoke nights, movie screenings, and maybe even the return of drag performer Diamond Alexandria (who performed on campus last spring).
“Come by one of our events if you want to get involved,” Wong said. “Everyone deserves a space where they can belong.”
PAQ has no planned events yet for the spring semester, but encourages everyone to reach out via email at [email protected].