“It was a close race between two themes: Roaring 20s and Post Apocalypse,” says Homo Hop organizer Kevin Tan of the University of Winnipeg event, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year (the theme wound up being Roaring 20s - so dress up, there’s a costume contest).

The Homo Hop is the largest social on the University of Winnipeg campus, held this year on Sunday, November 10th in the multi-purpose room at the Bulman Centre.

The event is mainly about raising awareness.

“The centre has been around since 1991, but we’re kind of hidden away,” says Jodi Helms, co-coordinator of the UW’s LGBT Centre. “Homo Hop is a way for us to say ‘Hey, we’re here!’ and show people who we are. It’s really a great place for people to start if they’d like to make friends or have thought about visiting the centre, because they’ll be able to meet so many members at once.”

There are many benefits to visiting the LGBT centre in the lower level of the Bulman Centre, of which Helms boasts, “our microwave and fridge are not as gross as the ones upstairs!” But besides a pleasant dining experience, it serves as an inclusive sex-positive space available to those who want to make new friends and alliances.

“It’s really a hub for other resources,” she adds.

The LGBT centre has an extensive library, as well as safe sex supplies and peer support available. It can also help out those who need extra attention by hooking them up with contacts at such places as Nine Circles or Klinic.

The money raised by Homo Hop will go towards Gender Fest in February. Helms describes the 14 day festival as a “smorgasbord of queer events, presentations and discussions”, and visitors will be able to take in such events as a forum featuring queer people of colour.

Because the LGBT centre could use a face-lift–and, at times, “budgeting can be scary” for such a small operation – Tan is working on other fun ideas to facilitate raising funds throughout the year.

Though the meetings at the LGBT centre, held on Mondays at 12:30 pm, are usually only attended by a handful of members, there are over 200 people on its mailing list who support the centre and help out with events. If you are interested in joining the club, no grueling process is required.

“Pop by anytime!” Tan proclaims. “If you say you’re a member, you’re a member. We welcome everyone. You don’t even have to be a student.”

Published in Volume 68, Number 10 of The Uniter (November 6, 2013)