On campus, in restaurants and in bars across Seattle, Bitter Old Hags and Grumpy Old Fags (B.O.H.G.O.F.) has been congregating.

This RSO hopes to create a greater sense of community for the members of the gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender community within UW graduate schools.

According to the group's Web site, "B.O.H.G.O.F. is the lesbian, gay and bisexual graduate and professional student, faculty and staff association at the UW that began several years ago and currently has more than 100 members. The organization was originally created as a support group for graduate students and as a way to become officially recognized by the University, but has since evolved into a primarily social group (though the 'support' aspect is still intact...!)."

Members can stay posted about current events on the group's Web site or plan their own events through the same channel.

B.O.H.G.O.F. does everything from happy hours and bowling to brunches. Members hope to expand their repertoire of events in the future, however.

"One thing that we just did is competed in the 12th annual bowling tournament in the HUB," James Fesalbon, a fiscal specialist in the dean of public health's office and B.O.H.G.O.F.'s chairman. "From time to time we go out to happy hour after work. I'm hoping to do more, though — this is why I got picked to be the chair last spring when we went to brunch."

One future event that Fesalbon is planning, among others is to have frequent outings to theatrical productions.

"We are teaming up with Three Dollar Bill Cinema to help offer a discount to B.O.H.G.O.F. members for Fifth Avenue's production of Edward Scissorhands," Fesalbon said.

Despite its primary function as a social tool, B.O.H.G.O.F. also serves graduate students with a chance to network academically and professionally.

"B.O.H.G.O.F. offers a way to meet people in related fields. It's a good opportunity to network within fields of study," group member Noah Benson said. "There are a lot of other opportunities here besides the social ones. It's a good way of getting in touch."

B.O.H.G.O.F. is connected to other GBLT organizations through a shared connection with a larger organization.

"GBLTC (Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian and Transgender Commission) is the umbrella organization for various queer groups on campus like B.O.H.G.O.F.," Fesalbon said. "We're not necessarily a politically active group like some others, though." Although B.O.H.G.O.F. focuses on the GBLT grad students, it is open to all UW graduate students and staff members, regardless of sexual orientation.

"Even though this is primarily for gays, it is not closed off to straight people," Fesalbon said. "It is just for grads though. A lot of people teach in B.O.H.G.O.F.; there are a lot of pressures in that field, and this is a good release."

B.O.H.G.O.F. encourages all who are interested to look into joining.

"[B.O.H.G.O.F.] is into affirming everything," Fesalbon said.

Reach columnist Camden Swita at features @thedaily.washington.edu.