By Monica Rosales |Contributing Writer| The beauty of being Muslim and identifying as queer was celebrated at the event “Coming Out Muslim” held in the Santos Manuel Student Union Events Center on April 26. The Woman’s Resource Center and Pride Center invited special guests Wazina Zondon and Terna who shared countless stories, prayers, dance movements and revelations throughout the entire event. Zondon and Terna’s event is held all over the country and is meant to capture the stories and experiences of being at the intersection of Islam and queerness. The event started off the event with a variety of music, ranging from Muslim to American. Interestingly, the event did not … [Read more...] about Coming Out Muslim
pride center
CSUSB’s gender inclusive bathrooms
By Jordan Ortega & Courtney Wilkins |Staff Writers| Facilities Planning and Management is currently working toward fixing the restroom signs on campus. The estimated completion date is spring 2017, according to csusb.edu. Since 2016, California voted to change the restroom policy for all genders to be able to use the same or a neutral restroom. The restrooms in all businesses such as this university need to be “single user restrooms.” Here on campus, the laws are being followed with the project already underway. “The campus has been on top of it as well as welcoming of the idea,” said Raul Maldonado, Pride Center Graduate Assistant. “The campus is making the effort to … [Read more...] about CSUSB’s gender inclusive bathrooms
Changing Clothes
By Nylles Vernon |Staff Writer| The SMSU Pride Center is hosting a clothing drive to help provide clothing to transgender individuals. The “Out of Your Closet & Into Ours” clothing drive is devoted to helping students who are trying to find themselves and do not have access to gender-encouraging clothing. Newly or gently-used clothing must be washed before donation. Pride Center is an organization that focuses on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersex students and their allies that welcomes all genders to a friendly environment. They also curate school-wide events, as well as provide entertainment and workshops that benefit the … [Read more...] about Changing Clothes
Pride Prom
By Stephanie Corral |Staff Writer| The Pride Center at CSUSB hosted their annual Pride Prom at the San Manuel Student Union fourplex on May 26. The prom this year was space-themed, titled Cosmic Queers. “Since it is an annual event we start planning in the summer, and choose the theme since then,” said Pride Center staff member Raul Maldonado. The event included decoration, food, music and a dance floor. “Because it is like a real prom, it gives members of the LGBT community a chance to bring someone or go with people they couldn’t have really gone with to their high school prom,” said Maldonado. This is an annual event that the pride center hosts at end of spring quarter, … [Read more...] about Pride Prom
Pride Center provides peace
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 … [Read more...] about Pride Center provides peace
California Attorney Proposed Bill of Death for Gays
By Maria Perry |Copy Editor| California attorney Matt McLaughlin has proposed an act that, if passed, will make sodomy between same-sex individuals a capital crime, according to Snopes.com. McLaughlin proposed the "Sodomite Suppression Act," which was received by the state's initiative coordinator at the Office of the Attorney General on Feb. 26 with $200 and initiative certification enclosed. It hopes to make it legal to execute gay individuals, according to The Huffington Post. The "Sodomite Suppression Act," which McLaughlin has sent to the state Department of Justice, will not only punish gays but also those who engage in sodomy, according to the the act's initiative. One … [Read more...] about California Attorney Proposed Bill of Death for Gays
“Bathrooms For All” event creates neutral place
By Aimee Villalpando |Staff Writer| Individuals of different sexes were able to use the same restroom in last week’s “Restrooms For All” event in the Santos Manuel Student Union (SMSU). From Nov. 17 to Nov. 21, the campus community had the option of using the gender-neutral restrooms. The Pride Center hosted the event in an effort to create spaces where people of all gender identities could access restrooms without the fear of gender policing or segregation. The purpose of the event was to help educate the campus about issues related to transgender and other non-binary gender communities. The Pride Center exposed common “myths” surrounding the issue, such as … [Read more...] about “Bathrooms For All” event creates neutral place
Try something new: Seven things you must before you graduate
By Marlyn Rodriguez |Staff Writer| While at CSUSB there are seven things I dare you try. Being involved and finding some escape from our chaotic and busy schedules is crucial. The good thing is that we are a part of a very active campus looking for proactive people to take part in activities. “Keep yourself busy and have fun while you’re here,” said student Kendall Smith. “Give everything your all.” There is always something happening on campus at different times and days of the week to accommodate students’ schedules. Here are a few things I recommend you try doing while on campus. 1) Recreational Center If you need to relieve some stress and want to stay fit, visiting our … [Read more...] about Try something new: Seven things you must before you graduate
Chaz Bono takes CSUSB through his transformation
By Danielle Workman |Staff Writer| Imagine living your entire life trapped in the wrong body. Imagine waking up every day wishing you were the opposite sex. Now imagine doing everything you could in your power to change the way you look, feel and act. Chaz Bono, the only child of celebrities Sonny and Cher, lived this life, and shared his story with CSUSB faculty, staff and students on Tuesday, May 13, in the Santos Manuel Student Union. The CSUSB Pride Center welcomed Bono with a full and eager crowd. Before the event, the audience didn’t know all of the turmoil that Bono faced in his everyday life before his surgeries. As he shared, the crowd began to understand the pain … [Read more...] about Chaz Bono takes CSUSB through his transformation
Colors of the Rainbow has CSUSB students talking about coming out
By Kevin Schaefer |Staff Writer| People of color need better representation in the LGBTTQQIA community and the community at large. This was one of the sentiments expressed on March 6 at Colors of the Rainbow held in the SMSU Theater. The Pride Center hosted a panel of LGBTTQQIA people of color who talked about their experiences and discussed different aspects about being a person of color within the LGBTTQQIA community. The panel included Alex Iling, DeeJay Brown, Bien Fule-ver, Virginia Millacci and Izak Perrez. The panelist talked about their experiences, the organizations they’re involved in, as well as different issues that impact the LGBTTQQIA community. “If you look … [Read more...] about Colors of the Rainbow has CSUSB students talking about coming out