Whittier, California – Río Hondo College students, staff and community leaders gathered for a ribbon-cutting celebration to mark the grand opening of the institution’s first Pride Center on Feb. 15, thanks to financial support from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO).
The Pride Center provides students with a place to bond in community and access support resources. Located near Río Hondo College’s Administration Building, the center is a place where students can rest and study, meet with counselors for academic appointments and connect with support staff and other students.
For years, student-led LGBTQIA+ organizations and clubs championed for an inclusive space at Río Hondo College, including the Gay Straight Alliance Club (founded in 2013), the Queer Initiative Club (founded in 2018) and the Pride Scholars Program, an academic support program founded this school year, said Martin Covarrubias, adjunct counselor of the Pride Scholars Program and Student Life & Leadership.
“It is critical to student success to have a dedicated space for LGBTQIA+ students, where we have dedicated staff who understand them, look like them and can support their identity through moments of crisis,” said Covarrubias, who is also a Río Hondo College graduate. “It is spaces like these that create a home and sense of belonging for our students.”
This year, the Pride Scholars Program garnered additional support from the College’s Associated Student Body, Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores, the College’s Board of Trustees and executive cabinet and the CCCCO to ensure LGBTQIA+ students had a dedicated space to find curated support through their educational journey.
The Queer Initiative Pride students led the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was attended by Río Hondo College Board of Trustees Vice President Oscar Valladares, Clerk Rosaelva Lomeli, Student Trustee Alexandra Zuniga, Superintendent/President Dr. Flores and Vice Presidents Dr. Earic Dixon-Peters and Dr. Don Miller. Local LGBTQIA+ advocacy organizations Reach LA and Whittier Pride were also present and tabling at the event.
After the ribbon cutting, many students, staff and administrators toured the space to learn about holistic support services that are tailored to support LGBTQIA+ students.
Members from the Pride Scholars and Queer Initiative Club shared emotional speeches – many shedding tears of joy – on the significance of the space, which not only will uplift current and future students, but will serve as a reminder of the leaders and activists who came before and worked to secure a safe, inclusive future in which the RHC queer community can practice freedom of expression and self-identity.
“Río Hondo College is committed to recognizing and supporting our students, and having a dedicated space for LGBTQIA+ students is paramount to the success of our current and prospective learners,” Dr. Flores said. “This event highlights the efforts of staff and students who go above and beyond to celebrate intersecting identities. Río Hondo is proud to create a safe home for students, surrounded by staff who understand them and can support them as they find community and belonging.”
PHOTO CAPTIONS
PRIDE1: Río Hondo College students, staff and community leaders gathered for the grand opening of the institution’s first Pride Center on Feb. 15. Located near Río Hondo College’s Administration Building, the center is a place where students can rest and study, meet with counselors for academic appointments and connect with support staff and other students.
PRIDE2: Members of the Río Hondo College Pride Scholars Program celebrate the grand opening of the first Pride Center on campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 15. The Pride Center provides students with a place to bond in community and access support resources.
PRIDE3: The Río Hondo College community gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the first Pride Center on campus on Feb. 15. Students, staff and administrators toured the space to learn about holistic support services that are tailored to support LGBTQIA+ students.
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RELEASE DATE: February 22, 2024
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