Upcoming Events
Interested in supporting our community? Join us at an event! We would love to meet you.
Pre-Prom Nail Salon – Wed., 4/17, 5-7 p.m. at On Point Nails in Geneva. For Teen Queer Prom attendees ages 13-19.
Join On Point Nails, our community’s new queer-owned nail salon, for a pre-prom nail party! This event is for Teen Queer Prom attendees ages 13-19. Use supplies and expert staff guidance to do your nails for prom. Featuring snacks and surprise giveaways!
Register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/bea667d9-bb4a-4198-a974-5cd2b8840927
Teen Queer Prom 2024 – Sunday, April 21, 5-8 p.m. in Batavia. For ages 13-19.
Join us for Belong: Fox Valley’s third annual Teen Queer Prom! Teens ages 13-19, join us from 5-8 p.m. on April 21 in Batavia, IL. The exact location will be e-mailed to you after you sign up. The event is free and open to LGBTQIA+ teens and allies from all communities.
The theme is Hollywood! Come dressed in your best red carpet outfit and get ready for a night of dancing, fun, and pride!
Register at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/7cd693cd-1592-4176-b628-5eaacac7753a
Volunteer for Teen Queer Prom 2024 – Volunteers needed Sunday, April 21, 5-8 p.m. in Batavia. Ages 18+.
We are looking for volunteers to help us hold Teen Queer Prom 2024! A background check will be performed on all volunteers. You will be e-mailed a form to fill out for the background check. Volunteers must be able to be present from 3-9 p.m.
Sign up here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/8438fd59-fdc7-4baa-ad0d-befb44d58d35
Cheers, Queers! – Mon., 5/6, 6:30 p.m. at Sturdy Shelter Brewing in Batavia.
Join us for a fun night to mix and mingle with LGBTQIA+ adults and allies! Sturdy Shelter Brewing is hosting this relaxed get-together for grown-up(ish) types. (Age is required, maturity is optional.)
Grab a beer or non-alcoholic beverage of your choice with us. No need to RSVP; just drop in and look for the queerest people in the room. You’ll know us when you see us.
RSVP not required.
Youth Drop-in – Weekly on Tuesdays, 5:30-7 p.m. E-mail belongfoxvalley@gmail.com for the exact location in Geneva, IL. For ages 13-19.
LGBTQIA+ teens ages 13-19, join us once a week to make friends, do activities, and learn about LGBTQIA+ culture. Contact us to learn more.
Sign up for updates by visiting https://www.remind.com/join/belongfv or text “belongfv” to 81010. Get started with the group by filling out a New Youth Form at bit.ly/youthnew.
If you’d like to support the Youth Drop-in Center, you can purchase items for us via our Amazon Wishlist at bit.ly/dropinwish.
About Us
Who We Are
We are a group of passionate LGBTQIA+ folx and allies who reside in the tri-cities area (Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles) of the Fox Valley region of Chicagoland. Our goals are to enhance and contribute to the acceptance and belonging of LGBTQIA+ and questioning people and their loved ones in our community, to promote inclusion and affirmation in all aspects of community life, and to provide safe and welcoming spaces for LGBTQIA+ and questioning people and allies to gather.
Belong: Fox Valley was formed in May 2021 when local educators wanted to host pride programming for youth, and were looking for support. In response to that need, a group of local librarians, teachers, and parents (some queer and some allies) founded Belong: Fox Valley. We held our first event in June 2021. Since then our leadership team has grown to include community members from many walks of life.
What We Do
Our role in the community is always evolving as we discover new ways to serve our LGBTQIA+ community. We work in tandem with teachers at local schools who are a resource for LGBTQIA+ students, and with their support have hosted teen-led informational panel discussions in order to educate the community from their perspective. We host regular social activities that provide fun and affirming spaces, such as a monthly Cheers Queers social meet-up event for the 18+ crowd. We co-host an annual Pride in the Park family picnic in partnership with local affirming faith groups and other Pride Month events. We organize an annual Teen Queer Prom for LGBTQIA+ to give teens a place to be unequivocally themselves, wheen they might not feel that same about their high school prom. We are available as a resource for local government leaders seeking to incorporate inclusive and affirming policies and practices, and we have fruitful relationships with our mayors and city councils.
We take our role of being part of the larger Illinois LGBTQIA+ advocacy community very seriously. With ongoing attacks against the LGBTQIA+, and particularly the trans and nonbinary community, at an all time high, we see visibility, safety, education, and affirming spaces and resources to be a critical need.
Come as you are, you are always welcome in our spaces.
Get Involved
For more information about Belong: Fox Valley, our community efforts, or how you can get involved, email belongfoxvalley@gmail.com.