By Michael Isberto |Features Editor|
The Pride Center at CSUSB is one of the many resource centers on campus that empower everyone’s singular identity and journey.
Their mission statement states, “The Pride Center provides education and advocacy in order to develop a more equitable and inclusive environment by addressing issues of homophobia and heterosexism throughout the campus community.”
Many students are aware of the Pride Center as a resource on campus, and believe it’s a great place to build relationships, as well as build up a community.
The Pride Center holds many events throughout the year including, Cosmic Queers, Lavender Graduation and Gaymer Days.
“I think the Pride Center is a good resource for students because it allows those part of the LGBT community feel welcomed and they don’t have to feel like people are judging them,” said student Adrian Alcantar.
“It also gives them a place to interact with others in their same community,” added Alcantar.
The Pride Center on campus aims to provide a platform for social justice and the rights of the LGBT community. They hope to provide a comfortable and open atmosphere to those in need of a safe zone at CSUSB.
The Pride Center focuses on creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all university community members, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersex students and their allies, according to the Pride Center website.
Students feel the need and importance of resources like the Pride Center, because it gives students a place to be themselves without any potential judgment. It also gives them a place they can feel support from their LGBT peers.
“I think the Pride Center and other organizations like that are good because it helps make every student feel welcomed,” said student Raquel Cuevas. “There’s been so much oppression and discrimination toward gay/lesbian/transgender students.”
Although students understand the importance of the resources like the Pride Center, many believe CSUSB should help promote the many resources offered on campus.
“I honestly don’t think that the school advertises these organizations as much as they should,” said Cuevas.
“They need to make it more known to students. In all honesty, I would never have heard of it or even known where it was, if it wasn’t for the Starbucks next to it,” continued Cuevas.
Besides the Pride Center, there are many resource centers located in the Santos Manuel Student Union (SMSU) including: Cross Cultural Center, the Women’s Resource Center, Title IX and more.
There is something for everyone in the SMSU.
“I don’t know much about the Pride Center, but I do take advantage of the Women’s Resource Center,” said student Angela Aragon.
“It’s a good place to relax and have some quiet time, and extremely handy when the microwave line is long in the SMSU,” added Aragon.
All of these resources exist to provide support for students on issues of race and ethnicity, women’s rights, and education and advocacy for addressing issues of homophobia.
Welcoming awareness and the practice of inclusivity is spreading among campus through the work of the Pride Center as they are here and present for all students.
Leave a Reply