San Marcos,
08
April
2015
|
14:35 PM
America/Los_Angeles

CSUSM Celebrates gAyPRIL

By Margaret Chantung

Throughout the month of April, CSUSM will hold a series of events focused on educating and raising awareness of issues within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and allied (LGBTQA) community. Sponsored by Associated Students, Inc., in partnership with departments and organizations across the university, gAyPRIL events will include workshops, trainings, lectures and discussions.

“LGBT Pride Month is currently celebrated around the world to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan,” said Robert Aiello-Hauser, director of ASI Community Centers. “It is also a positive stance against discrimination and violence toward LGBT people to promote their self-affirmation, dignity and equal rights, while also increasing their visibility as a social group, build community and celebrate sexual diversity and gender variance. CSUSM chooses to celebrate gAyPRIL as an annual tradition for our LGBTQA individuals to enjoy visibility and support from our campus community, while celebrating our allies and promoting awareness about issues surrounding the diverse intersections of queer identity."

Some of the activities include:

Workshops: “What Makes You, You?” gives students a chance to reminisce and accept both positive and negative influences that have made them who they are. This self-affirming workshop takes place on April 15 at 5 p.m. in the LGBTQA Pride Center, USU 3100.

5K Run: The Color Run: Color Out Hunger is a 5K fun run and fundraiser for the North County Food Bank. Registration is $5 plus a canned good. Run, jog or walk with your friends on April 18 at 9 a.m. at the Mangrum Track and Field. Open to all CSUSM students, staff and faculty.

Trainings: Safe Zone training was created to develop, enhance and maintain environments that are culturally competent and supportive to LGBTQ individuals as well as others who care about diversity, equality and inclusion. On April 21, form 9 a.m. to noon in The QUAD classroom, go through the CSUSM Safe Zone training and get a placard to show your support for the LGBTQ community.

Pride Walk and Festival: The Pride Walk is the ending capstone event for gAyPRIL. Meet at Commons on April 30 at 11:30 a.m. and walk to the USU for a lively festival featuring refreshments and student presentations in Introduction to LGBTQ Studies.

To view the full schedule of events, visit gAyPRIL Month.