Mt. SAC’s new Pride Center opened on Aug. 25 in Building 6, Room 106 with a bigger and more inclusive space aimed at making students feel more welcomed.
While the new space is geared toward LGBTQ+ students, any student no matter their sexuality or gender is welcomed. The only requirement is students are respectful to one another and follow the terms and agreements that the pride center has in place.
They offer not only a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community, but also counseling, a study area, and amenities such as a microwave, mini refrigerators, and light snacks.
Most importantly, the new building offers a community in which individuals can meet others and create long lasting friendships.
“The Pride Center’s main goal is to eventually make the entire campus a safe space for queer and trans students so that they can exist everywher,” project coordinator Kevin Troung said. Troung wants queer people to be comfortable at the school and not be worried that they’ll be outed or be personally attacked for being a part of the LGBTQ+ community.
In a research study, Troung mentioned how many members of the LGBTQ+ community struggle with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and higher levels of homophobia and transphobia. The new building aims to address these concerns by offering students a safe space to make a community to help deal with those various issues.
The Pride Center plans to expand, citing the closure of similar facilities, such as Ohio University’s Pride Center, which shut down after the passage of Senate Bill 1 in that state. Leaders also say expansion is even more important in light of recent federal cuts to suicide prevention hotlines that specifically served LGBTQ+ youth. They hope that creating this safe space will help individuals by offering counseling, study rooms, events, and other opportunities.
Many students involved with the Pride Center said they are thankful and more comfortable in the new space, noting it feels less cramped than the old location. They also appreciate having access to microwaves, refrigerators and a safe place to study. Most students asked to remain anonymous, but one shared, “The new space is really nice. The last one was really small, but now we don’t feel cramped here.”
Along with the opening of their new location, the Pride Center has hosted Drag Queen Bingo with Roxy Woods, and their annual Rainbow Rack which will take place on Oct. 21.
