Everyone is invited to participate in the following events:

Poster Making

April 2, 8-11 a.m., Pride Center

Visit the Pride Center to make posters for the Pride Walk at noon.

HIV/HEP C testing 

April 2, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Forum Plaza

The Vista Community Clinic testing van will be in Forum Plaza offering free HIV/HEP C testing and health education.

Pride Walk/Flag Raising

April 2, 11:30 a.m., Forum Plaza/Chavez Circle

Students, staff, faculty and administrators will gather in front of the USU and walk the campus to show support for CSUSM's LGBTQiA+ community members.

An Evening With George M. Johnson,  Author of “All Boys Aren't Blue”

April 3, 6 p.m., USU Ballroom

Johnson’s memoir has achieved massive success. A New York Times bestseller, it also was the American Library Association’s third-most-challenged book of 2021. Johnson will speak about the importance of sharing diverse voices and listening to others. He will be signing books afterward. The event will be preceded by a meet-and-greet with Johnson from 3-4:30 in the Pride Center. 

Make Your Own Pronoun Pins

April 4, 11 a.m., Pride Center

Visit the Pride Center to create your own pronoun pin.

Uniedo Cultura y Eduacion

April 4, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Forum Plaza/USU Arcade

Come celebrate Latinidad, an evening of Latinx culture and education. There will be a keynote speaker, and Latinx resources and departments on campus will be showcased.

Queer Scrapbooking

April 8, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Pride Center

Join the Pride Center for a chill DIY session of scrapbooking, using queer magazines and fun crafting tools to make collages.

History of Drag and Ballroom

April 8, noon-1 p.m., Pride Center

Delve into the rich culture of the New York ballroom scene, highlighting the contributions of the Black queer community in creating many of the foundations of modern queer culture.

Black Pride

April 10, 11 a.m.-noon, Pride Center

In highlighting the Black queer experience, discussion will focus on key Black figures in the queer liberation movement and center the experience of Black queer students at CSUSM.

Queer POC Karaoke

April 10, 5-7 p.m., Pride Center

Sing your hearts out for Queer POC music artists after listening to an important presentation highlighting queer artists who have changed the music world.

Rainbow Ripples (Tie-Dye Event)

April 11, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Pride Center

Join the Pride Center in creating your own gAyPRIL tie-dye item. T-shirts will be provided, or bring your own item.

KPOP Dance Party

April 11, 6-8 p.m., Pride Center

Learn some choreography and play random dance party while acknowledging queer icons in the KPOP industry. 

LGBTQ+ in Latin America

April 16, noon-1 p.m., Latinx Center

In collaboration with the Latinx Center, the Pride Center invites you to learn about the history of queer representation in Latin America, noting the importance of pronouns and major events through an intersectional lens.

Toy Talk

April 16, 6:30-8 p.m., Pride Center

An inclusive evening with sex therapist/educator Sandra focusing on gender, sexuality and relationship diversity.

Long Live Queen

April 17, 10 a.m.-noon, Pride Center

Explore the history of the band Queen and the impact that Freddie Mercury had on the queer community. The event also will touch on the band's new front man, Adam Lambert, and how he is continuing the legacy.

LGBTea With the Director

April 17, noon-1 p.m., Pride Center

Come learn about the director of the Pride Center as they “spill the tea." They will be answering questions about their experiences and what they have learned throughout their life.

Cookies and Queers

April 18, noon-1 p.m., Pride Center

The Pride Faculty Staff Association will sponsor a cookies-and-milk mixer, giving students the opportunity to meet their members.

Steers & Queers

April 18, 6-8 p.m., USU 

An educational event hosted by the Pride Center about LGBT rodeo, the queer community involved in rodeo and queer western culture. Students will be taught and get to practice western dancing. Food will be served.

Sexual Health Presentation

April 22, noon-1 p.m., Pride Center

Vista Community Clinic will provide a workshop on sexual health for the LGBTQiA+ community.

Rainbow Recognition

April 22, 5:30 p.m., USU Ballroom

The Pride Center will host its annual celebration for LGBTQIA+ students who are graduating in 2024. Students earn a rainbow cord and/or stole and are celebrated for their accomplishments at CSUSM.

Slam Poetry Event

April 23, noon, Pride Center

Participants have the opportunity to express their unique experiences and perspectives through poetry. A nationally recognized slam poetry performer, Espi (he/she/they) will take part in the event.

Inclusive Language

April 23, 2-3 p.m.

An event that is geared toward promoting a more inclusive environment around campus.

‘Drag Race’ Viewing Party

April 24, 10 a.m.-noon, Pride Center

Join the Pride Center for a viewing party of the “RuPaul's Drag Race” season 16 finale.

Found Family Feud: Queer Edition

April 24, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Pride Center

Team up with friends and compete against others in this queer edition of “Family Feud.”

Vibrant Voices

April 25, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Pride Center

Join the Pride Center to paint a bench that will be donated to campus.

EMS Pride Day

April 27, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., USU Ballroom, Pride Center

A day for LGBTQiA+ students to visit campus and make their decision to attend in fall 2024.

HIV/HEP C Testing

April 29, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Forum Plaza

The Vista Community Clinic testing van will be in Forum Plaza offering free HIV/HEP C testing and health education.

SLC Banquet

April 30, 5-7 p.m., McMahan House

The students of the Student Life Centers for Identity, Inclusion and Empowerment come together to celebrate the 2023-24 school year.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

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

“I’m questioning some things, and that’s OK,” said Fernanda, a third-year CSUSM student who is one of 10 people featured in this year’s campaign. Fernanda’s last name is not being used because the campaign intentionally omits surnames.

“I’m not so anxious about being in a questioning type of stage because I’ve experienced it before with other identities,” she added.

The Beyond the Stereotype campaign aims to educate about the impact of microaggressions and stereotypes on marginalized communities.

“College campuses should be having these conversations,” said Ariel Stevenson, diversity coordinator in the Office of Inclusive Excellence and one of the organizers of the campaign. “We should be taking the lead and be at the forefront. These are our students, faculty and staff, and they reflect our population. That’s one of the things I love about the campaign – it’s a mirror of our campus population. Diversity matters.”

The first campaign, launched in 2015, featured posters of CSUSM students tearing photos of various racial and ethnic costume stereotypes with the text, “There is more to me than what you see. Beyond the stereotype, there is history.”

This year’s campaign focuses on the LGBTQA community. Each poster includes the text, “There is more to me than what you see. Beyond the stereotype, there is pride.”

“There was a lot of intentionality in how we portrayed folks in the posters,” said Abrahán Monzón, assistant director of ASI community centers and one of the organizers of the campaign.

While the first campaign focused solely on students, this one includes faculty and staff.

“I wanted to be a part of the campaign, as I feel that as educators we are in a position to not just shape young minds with subject knowledge, but also to empower them to break self- or society-imposed barriers to their success,” said Arun Sethuraman, an assistant professor of biology who, as a faculty member, agreed to include his last name in the story. “A first step toward this is to provide the resources for our University community to develop an understanding of diverse peoples, to build an inclusive society within CSUSM.

“As part of these efforts, the Beyond the Stereotype series has been a powerful and successful means to convey the message of cultural tolerance and emotional intelligence through strategically placed visuals and true stories. As a proud gay person of color, an immigrant, a scientist, mentor and teacher, this particular series was especially close to my heart, and I wanted my story to be told – that there is more to a person than the color of their skin, their nation of origin or their sexual identity or orientation.”

Seven of the 10 campaign posters were unveiled at the All Peoples Luncheon in October. All of the posters will be on display in the University Student Union before the end of the year. The campaign includes additional curriculum, resources and workshops. There will be a website with curriculum to complement the campaign spring programming in the Gender Equity Center and Pride Centers.

Fernanda’s poster was among the seven unveiled at the All Peoples Luncheon and seeing it brought additional reflection. As she looked over the identities she had listed, she realized that she didn’t include child of immigrants.

“It makes me wonder and pause to think, ‘Why didn’t I include that?’ ” she said.

On Fernanda’s poster, she included “Chicanx, person of color, feminist, advocate, first-generation college student.” She originally had additional identities included, but changed her mind as participating in the campaign led to additional introspection.

“I think before I publicize it, let me take it in and process it myself,” she said.

After seeing the success of the first Beyond the Stereotype campaign, Fernanda was inspired to participate in this second iteration. She is hoping this year’s campaign provides similar inspiration to others.

“Hopefully it encourages and drives a desire to learn what the campaign is about,” she said. “If students recognize participants, hopefully they’ll ask questions about how we got involved with it. I hope it leads to more discussion.”

For a full schedule of events, visit their website.

-----------------------------------------------Schedule of Events----------------------------------------------

Tuesday Talks: Queer People of Color

Tuesday, April 5 from 6 to 8 p.m.

University Student Union, 3100

A Tuesday conversation will discuss the experiences of lesser-known sub communities in the LGBTQ+ spectrum and explore the identities that mainstream queer culture doesn't often recognize.

Queer Discussion: Sex vs. Gender

Wednesday, April 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

University Student Union, 3100

Learn about all sexual orientations and clear up any misconceptions in regard to gender identities during a discussion led by LGBTQA+ Pride Center peer educator Estella Hoang.

The Pride Project

Wednesday, April 6 from 1 to 5 p.m.

University Student Union, 3100

The Pride Center will host a “no hate” style photo campaign, encouraging students to be proud of their identities and share in others’.

Paint Me Rainbow

Monday, April 11 through Friday, April 15 during normal business hours

University Student Union, 3100

Collaborate in an on-campus art project and paint a tile that will fit into a mural that will hang above the LGBTQA Pride Center.

What I Be

Monday, April 11 through Wednesday, April 13

Time and Location To Be Determined

A life changing and intimate event with Steve Rosenfield, photographer of the What I Be Project, will provide individuals the opportunity to face their insecurities. Often times people make up stories about their lives not revealing their true image. Participants will be able to tell their story through his creative photography. Learn more about the photographer and the project by visiting his website.

Posters 4 Pride

Monday, April 18 through Friday, April 22 during normal business hours

University Student Union, 3100

Create posters to carry during CSUSM’s Pride Walk on Thursday, April 28 during U-hour. The Pride Center will provide supplies.

Queerjama

Tuesday, April 12 from 6 to 10 p.m

University Student Union, 3100

The Pride Center will host a pajama party filled with jeopardy, movies, bonding and free food.

Tuesday Talk: Femme/Masculine Space

Tuesday, April 19 from 6 to 8 p.m.

University Student Union, 3100

Discuss the experiences of lesser-known sub communities in the LGBTQ+ spectrum and explore the identities that mainstream queer culture doesn't often recognize.

North County Health Services on Queer Health

Wednesday, April 20 from 12 to 1 p.m.

University Student Union, 3100

North County Health Services' representatives will speak about the different services they offer such as HIV case management, behavioral health, volunteer opportunities and more.

Film Screening and Q&A: The Danish Girl

Thursday, April 21 from 5:15 to 7:45 p.m.

Location TBD

The film tells the story of Lili Elbe, one of the first individuals to undergo gender confirmation surgery, and her long struggle for self-discovery as a transgender woman.

Workshop and Q&A with Cadence Valentine

Friday, April 22 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Location TBD

Featuring trans educator, activist and CSU Northridge student Cadence Valentine, this workshop will help students, faculty, staff and the community become educated on and about inclusivity for transgender and gender non-conforming people. In addition, those in attendance will learn about representation, access and support for transgender and gender non-conforming students.

 (Re)Negotiating Space: A Lecture by Preston Witchell

Monday, April 25 from 4 to 5 p.m.

University Student Union, 3100

PRISM President and CSUSM student Preston Witchell will present his research and thesis on spatial politics and navigating difference within communities.

NOT GAY: Sex Between Straight White Males

Tuesday, April 26

Time and Location To Be Determined

A lecture by Jane Ward, associate professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies at University of California Riverside, will discuss how sex between straight white men allows them to leverage whiteness and masculinity to authenticate their heterosexuality in the context of sex with men. By understanding their same-sex sexual practice as meaningless, accidental, or even necessary, straight white men can perform homosexual contact in heterosexual ways. Daring, insightful, and brimming with wit, Not Gay is a fascinating new take on the complexities of heterosexuality in the modern era.

PrideFest & The Queery Spring Launch

Thursday, April 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

University Student Union Terrace

Experience Pride Fest during U-hour at CSUSM. A pride walk through the campus will conclude with a festival at the University Student Union Forum Plaza.