In keeping with its recognition by CampusPride.org as one of the 20 best colleges in the country for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students, SDSU will hold its fourth annual Rainbow Flag-Raising Ceremony on campus.
On July 11 at 11 a.m., SDSU students, faculty and staff will gather with local politicians, business leaders and others on Campanile Walkway in front of Hepner Hall to raise the rainbow flag in support of the LGBT campus community.
“The rainbow flag has been a symbol of the LGBT community for over 30 years," said Aaron Bruce, SDSU’s chief diversity officer. "The colors of the rainbow are symbolic of both the unity and diversity of the LGBT community.”
Historic summer
It has been a historic summer for LGBT rights as New York recently became the sixth and largest state in the U.S. to legalize gay marriage.
Earlier in the month, the U.N. Human Rights Council voted in favor of a landmark resolution protecting the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people.
LGBT-friendly campus
SDSU is the only university in San Diego to offer a minor in LGBT studies, and earlier this year, plans were announced to add a new LGBT studies major next spring. The new major would make SDSU the second undergraduate university in the nation to offer the program.
Each year SDSU takes part in a number of events that promote unity, education, awareness and visibility in the LGBT community on and off campus, including:
• Welcome Week LGBT Reception
• Safe Zones Ally Training
• Big Gay BBQ
• AIDS Walk San Diego
• LGBT College Fair
• San Diego Pride Parade
• Lavender Graduation
Additional campus resources
The LGBT Student Union on campus includes a speakers’ bureau and drop-in counseling. SDSU also has a lesbian sorority (Gamma Rho Lambda). The SDSU library, aware of student interest in LGBT studies, has created an extensive Subject Guide for LGBT Studies.
Additionally, the San Diego LGBT Community Center, located in Hillcrest, has an extensive calendar of events and SDSU students are involved as volunteers and participants.