On Saturday night, the snow may have been falling, but the gay vibes were calling at beloved semi-undead campus bar C-Haus. The Sapphics Take C-Haus event, inspired by other bars’ “dyke nights”, served as a hotspot for campus sapphics to dance, play games, and meet new people. The walls were resplendent with pride flags and a “pin the clit on the vagina” game in place of the dartboard, colorful lights roved over the dance floor, and a game table boasted off-brand Jenga and Connect 4 (“Tumbling Tower” and “Link 4”). I shook the snow off of my blazer, shed it in the corner, and ventured into the fray.

Color-coded wristbands were provided near the entrance to dictate what manner of socialization guests were seeking—yellow for making friends, red for singles prepared to mingle, green for shy singles who wanted others to initiate said mingling, and blue for non-sapphics who were there to help with setup or support friends. After a bit of agonizing and consultation with security staff as to whether I was allowed to take multiple, I took both a green and a red wristband, a combo I saw on many others that night.

I caught up with organizer Lydia Williams‘26 before the night fully kicked off, curious about their goals and inspiration for the event.

Lydia Williams‘26

So, obviously you’re the organizer of this event…what are your hopes for tonight? How do you hope it goes?

I hope that people show up, and I hope that people have fun, and it would be cool if people met new people.

Yeah, definitely! So, what motivated you to do a sapphic night?

I actually went to…in Chicago, over the summer, I joined a sapphic collective and there were quite a few, like, different bars that were different dyke nights and I had an amazing time. And I’m like, “we need something like this” because being sapphic, specifically being a lesbian, is a very isolating experience…in the queer community. And I know they exist! They exist here, so we all just…we need to get together.

As I walked around the party proper, I met sapphics of all identities and relationship statuses. In the interest of not intruding on anyone’s good time (as well as maintaining my own), I approached attendees with one question in mind: “Why are you here tonight?”

Lily Bennett‘28 and Margarite Richardson‘27

LB: Well…I am a sapphic, and I’m proud to be one, and I’m here to show out for community and make some friends! How about you?

MR: …Same! 

LB: (echoing) Same. You needed some sunlight…actually, some snow, in fact.

MR: It’s nice that this is put on, and, um…yeah, I don’t know.

And y’all are currently on the security shift right now?

LB: Yes.

MR: Yes.

LB: Mine’s technically later, but…here in support, here in support.

Alyssa Hartline‘25

Well…partially to support my friends, who are running this thing…Lydia is, you know, my roommate. But also…I don’t know, it’s kind of nice to be in an area where you feel community with people, and also a lot of the queer community spaces tend to be mainly gay men, which is awesome, but not necessarily a category I myself fit into, so it’s kinda nice to have people I can connect with and meet new people.

Becca Bailey‘29

I’m here tonight because I want to get a partner, and I figured this would be a good place to find one.

Alex Juve‘27

Well, I’m here because a lot of my friends are running this event, and also I love queer non-men.

Fiona Hughes‘26

To support Lydia, my friend.

Liv Simpson‘29

I’m here to have fun with gay people!

Vivianne Prerost‘28

I’m here to support a friend and meet people.

Svea Jones‘26

I’m here in support of my bestie Lydia Williams…but also, I got my little red doodad, so technically I’m being a part of the sapphic culture.

Jasmine Kingsbury‘28

Why am I here tonight? To support my lovely friends and have a good time!

Rose Trondson‘29

(consulting with friends)…why am I here tonight? (turning back to me) To have fun! Yeah, I’m here to have fun!

Gabriella Willis‘27

Well, my friends are here, and they were like “you should come by,” and I was like “why not?” because I don’t go out as much, so…it’s a good vibe, though.

Sapphics Take C-Haus ended at a respectable 1:00 a.m., with a core group of Williams’ friends and roommates staying until the bitter end to assist with security and cleanup. As for me? I didn’t find my soulmate there, but getting a kiss on the cheek and being able to witness Beloit’s sapphic community united in an intimate celebration of queer joy marked the night as a rousing success in my book.

Featured image: Betty Cavicchia’28