SANTA BARBARA — On Thursday, April 4, Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) will raise the intersex-inclusive progress Pride Flag at its landmark West Campus flagpole site. A morning celebration — including music, food and drink, and speeches by Superintendent/President Erika Endrijonas, Ph.D., and members of SBCC’s Student Equity and Engagement programs — will accompany the event designed to support the college’s lesbian, gay, bixsexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual and more (LGBTQIA+) students and staff.
The Pride Flag raising ceremony is the first of many “Pride month in April” events the college has planned to support SBCC’s LGBTQIA+ campus community. Although the traditional “Pride Month” is in June, the campus will unofficially celebrate “Pride” and its LGBTQIA+ community in April, when more students are on campus and can participate and feel included. Slated events for the month include a Pride Picnic, “Steer Queer” Poetry Workshop and open mic events, and a Queer/LGBTQ+ Art exhibit. On Friday, April 5, the first annual panel discussion and community forum on the status of the 805’s LGBTQ+ community, titled “The State of Our Community: A Conversation for our Wellbeing,” will be held at SBCC’s Fé Bland Forum.
“It is with immense excitement to see the support and visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community on campus, for all students, staff and faculty! This flag raising is not just a symbolic gesture; it is a commitment. A commitment to creating an environment where everyone — regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity — feels safe, respected, and supported. It is a pledge to foster a campus culture of equality, equity and understanding.” — CESJ and Pride Program advisor Selena Martinez.
“In an effort to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community at SBCC The Office of Student Equity and Engagement Programs is excited to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community at SBCC through our new Pride Program, Virtual Pride Center, and many exciting new initiatives! We are grateful to the support of the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office for funding that has allowed us to dedicate staffing and resources to this important endeavor.” — Roxane M. Byrne Ph.D., Director of Student Equity and Engagement Programs
Recently, a Pride Virtual Center was added to the SBCC website, featuring resources for the campus LGBTQIA+ community, including events, resources and lines of support.
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EVENT DETAILS
SBCC Pride Flag Raising Ceremony
Thursday, April 4, 2024
9-10:30 a.m.
Flag raising at 9:45 a.m.
SBCC Flagpoles on West Campus, in front of Luria Library