Pride Center Focuses on Support of LGBTQ+ Community

With Pride Month underway, the Pride Center at Cal State San Marcos is focused on the importance of remembering the lives lost in the Pulse nightclub shooting on June 12, 2016, and ensuring the campus community is aware of the support available to LGBTQ+ individuals.

“Support for Pride Month is incredibly important at CSUSM,” said Robert Aiello-Hauser, director of the Pride Center. “By acknowledging and celebrating Pride Month, CSUSM sends a clear message that we value diversity and are committed to promoting equality for all members of our community. This can help to foster a sense of belonging and community, which can be especially important for LGBTQ+ students who may face discrimination or feel isolated on campus.”

Aiello-Hauser noted that the anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting is significant for several reasons, including:

• It's a solemn occasion to honor and remember the lives lost in the tragic event. Reflecting on their stories and the impact of their loss helps keep their memories alive.
• The anniversary provides an opportunity to show support for the survivors and the families of the victims. It's a time to offer comfort, solidarity and resources for those who continue to grapple with the aftermath of the shooting.
• The anniversary often serves as a reminder of the strength and resilience of the community affected by the shooting. It's a time for unity, coming together to support one another, and demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.
• It helps raise awareness about issues such as gun violence, LGBTQ+ rights, discrimination, and the importance of tolerance and acceptance. By remembering the Pulse nightclub shooting, people are reminded of the ongoing need for societal change to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
• The anniversary can serve as a call to action for policymakers, activists and communities to work toward creating safer environments for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic.

“The anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting is a time for reflection, remembrance, solidarity and a renewed commitment to creating a more inclusive and compassionate society,” Aiello-Hauser said.

CSUSM provides various forms of support for LGBTQ+ students, creating an inclusive and welcoming campus environment. Some ways CSUSM supports LGBTQ+ students include:

• Pride Center: This is a space that serves all sexual orientations and gender identities. The center offers a safe space for students to gather, access resources, receive support, build community and engage in activism and advocacy efforts.
• SafeZone Program: This program is designed to educate faculty, staff and students about LGBTQ+ issues and create visible symbols of support throughout campus. SafeZone provides resources and training to create a network of allies/advocates who can offer support and understanding to LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Counseling and Psychological Services: CSUSM's counseling services provide support specifically tailored to the needs of Pride students, including counseling sessions with therapists who are knowledgeable about LGBTQ+ issues and experiences. They also provide therapy groups specifically for the community.
• Student Organizations: CSUSM has several student organizations specifically for Pride students and allies. These organizations provide opportunities for socializing, networking, activism and support within the campus community.
• Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives: These initiatives are aimed at creating a campus culture that celebrates and respects all identities, including those within the LGBTQ+ community. 
• Housing Options: The university offers several inclusive housing options, gender-inclusive and LGBTQ+-affirming housing communities, to accommodate the diverse needs of Pride students.
• Policy Support: CSUSM has policies and procedures in place to protect LGBTQ+ students from discrimination and harassment based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. These policies demonstrate the university's commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students. These include various transgender inclusion and protection policies and a preferred name policy and procedure.

CSUSM will be marching for the 16^th year in the San Diego Pride Parade on Saturday, July 20. Anyone interested in joining the CSUSM group can fill out the interest form online.

“Representing the CSUSM campus by marching in the San Diego Pride parade is an opportunity to promote visibility, solidarity, advocacy and celebration of LGBTQ+ identities and rights, both within the college community and beyond,” Aiello-Hauser said. “It reinforces CSUSM’s commitment to diversity and inclusion while fostering connections with the broader LGBTQ+  community.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314