Haven, Seattle Pacific University’s club for LGTBQ+ students and allies, put on the third annual Redacted Fest in Lower Royal Brougham Pavilion on May 1, 2026. Performances included musical talents like The Mandatory Reporters, Koi Baryon and Diana Gale, as well as a drag show. Catering and snowcones were offered to all attendees. The total attendance amounted to over 200 people, making this the largest Redacted Fest to date.

President of Haven Gail McMillan, a fourth year majoring in psychology, organized the event alongside Haven Treasurer Isabel Braskamp, a second year majoring in mechanical engineering and Destiny Smith, a second year majoring in psychology and communication studies.

Redacted Fest began in the aftermath of a lawsuit against SPU’s Statement on Human Sexuality out of a desire from students and faculty to express the community’s allyship. McMillan explained that Haven wanted to widen the scope of attendees after the first year.

“The year after [the first Redacted Fest], we decided we wanted to continue it, but we wanted to do it a little bit bigger, and so we invited a few more vendors. We opened it up to the public, and so now alumni and neighbors can come,” McMillan said.

Event-goers were able to browse resource booths representing a variety of organizations, from gender affirming care clinics to comic shops. These booths were designed to help students interact with the queer spaces in Seattle, both during university and post-graduation.

“It’s specifically advertising to students where they can go when they graduate. This is not our whole space. This is a singular phase in our life, and I would hope that we continue to be loud and proud outside of this,” McMillan said.

Charl!e Russell, a sexual health and prevention navigator at Seattle’s LGBTQ+ Center in Capitol Hill, has been tabling at Redacted Fest since it first took place. He and his team are committed to being an inclusive resource for Seattle through mental health care and gender and sexuality support. Russell expressed the value of organizations like his being available on a Christian campus.

“You have to have representation. It’s important anywhere, especially in places where it’s not necessarily seen as much. I think that’s really important to do. Why wouldn’t we be here? I think a lot of Christians can be loving and accepting and welcoming of all ethnicities, all beliefs, all genders, all sexual orientations. It’s nice to be a part of something that represents that,” Russell said.

Several churches were present, showcasing queer religious media like “The Queen James Bible.” McMillan wanted to help queer and allied students understand their options in the search for an accepting religious community.

“For people who are similar to me and are still confused or uncertain or scared about what God says about queer people, there are options for them to find other Christians who are affirming and actually, in my opinion, showing the true love of Christ,” McMillan said.

To learn more about the history of queer activism on campus, visit the SERVE Grant website.