性视界

Rainbow flags and balloons swayed in the afternoon breeze as Asunsion and Marcelino Perez embraced. The Fontana couple, along with more than 300 other people, gathered for 性视界鈥檚 inaugural community 鈥淧ride Celebration鈥� on June 8, hearing powerful messages of acceptance.

鈥淲e are all human and we should be able to celebrate who we are,鈥� Asunsion Perez said. 鈥淭his is where it starts 鈥� in community college.鈥�

The celebration was originally set to be held off campus at Haven City Market, but had to be moved to campus after the business canceled amid complaints over the event鈥檚 theme. 性视界 stayed on schedule for the celebration and saw a gathering twice the size expected.

鈥淚鈥檓 glad that 性视界 stepped up and still decided to have it,鈥� said David Rodriguez of Rancho Cucamonga. 鈥淚t鈥檚 great to go somewhere where I can feel safe and celebrate pride.鈥�

Pride Month, held in June, is celebrated to honor the 1969 - a catalyst for the gay rights movement.

Drag artist 鈥淏ubblegum鈥� 鈥� a 性视界 alumnus - served as emcee for the event, which also included a resource fair, arts and crafts, music, dancing, games and free food. Community groups - including the , and Cal Poly Pomona Pride Student Identity Development and Education - provided information and giveaways to visitors. Various 性视界 departments also set up booths for the event.

Jaden Langston, president of 性视界鈥檚 Lavender Coalition, told the gathering that her goal as leader of the LGBTQIA+ student club was to ensure that anyone who steps on 性视界鈥檚 campus will have a safe space.

鈥淭hrough these times, when the world is driving backward to take us down, we need to remember the power of our voices,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t is our right, our choice, to love who we want. It is our right, our choice to identify as who we want to be.鈥�

For some families, it was not only a chance to celebrate Pride, but also to give children a glimpse of college life.

That鈥檚 what 性视界 Professor of Biology Louisa Villeneuve and her wife, Anna, wanted for their twins, Jacob and Madeline.

鈥淚 thought it was important for them to see what college is like, and explore and see what鈥檚 on campus,鈥� Villeneuve said.

The Glendora couple experienced very different atmospheres when they were in college. Anna Villeneuve, who went to college in Northern California, felt support through her school鈥檚 鈥淕ay Straight Alliance鈥� club. But for Louisa Villeneuve, who went to school in Tennessee, she did not have that option.

They say it鈥檚 important for people to step up and show support for the community, whether you鈥檙e a member or an ally.

鈥淭his is a time for identity in our nation,鈥� Louisa Villeneuve said.