Lavender Menace is a student-led organization that works to create a comfortable space for sapphics at Ohio University. The organization emphasizes the importance of having a place to exist without expectation or explanation.
The name “Lavender Menace” originated from a group of lesbian feminists who protested the exclusion of lesbians from the mainstream feminist movement in the 1970s.
Ashlee Wagner, a junior studying communications and the communications chair for Lavender Menace, pointed out the significance of the name to members of the organization, as the group focuses on open-mindedness and inclusion.
“We aren’t based on activism as much as we are escapism,” Wagner said.
Wagner expressed the need for a place to relax, make friends and not have to worry about the rest of the world for a while, which Lavender Menace aims to provide.
Lavender Menace frequently hosts easygoing activities including movies, crafts and game nights. Libby Bulanda is a sophomore studying environmental studies and the service chair for Lavender Menace. Bulanda reiterated the group is more social, although Lavender Menace has been increasing efforts to volunteer around Athens.
“We’ve done cleanups at the Ridges,” Bulanda said. “We went through the Office of Sustainability for that and we want to get more involved in volunteering in the future.”
The club began in 2022 for anyone who fit under the sapphic and women-loving women umbrella, although acting President Mia Walsh stated the group is open to anyone as long as they come with kind intentions and an open mind.
Walsh, a fifth-year student studying journalism and women’s, gender and sexuality studies, is serving her first year as president. Walsh explained the group nearly ended after last year as the responsibility of running Lavender Menace had not been handed down to anyone.
“I texted in the GroupMe, ‘Hey, is this club happening next year because it’s really important to me,’” Walsh said. “We ended up holding elections at the beginning of the year and that’s how I got elected as president.”
Walsh’s care for the organization is reflected in her philosophy for running Lavender Menace. She spoke about curating a space to escape what’s going on in society, especially in regards to the current political state.
“Legislation is pretty scary right now and LGBT+ people are scared,” Walsh said. “As long as this organization exists, there will be a safe space where no one has to think about what’s going on in the world.”
Lavender Menace is meant to be an outlet from the stresses of everyday life and allows members to choose whether or not they attend meetings.
The best way to get involved with Lavender Menace is to show up to a meeting which is at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday. More information on the organization and meeting location can be found on their Instagram, @ou_lavendermenace, or through BobcatConnect. Students can also get connected to Lavender Menace through the Pride Center, located in Baker University Center.
