As the campus community enters October and celebrates LGBTQ+ History Month, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on the milestones that have shaped the LGBTQ+ community at Cal State Fullerton.
The first Lavender Recognition Ceremony at CSUF was held on May 13, 2005. Ronni Sanlo, the creator of the very first Lavender Graduation Ceremony at the University of Michigan in 1995 was the keynote speaker for CSUF’s inaugural event. This spring marks 20 years of celebrating and honoring the achievements of LGBTQ+ graduates.
Cal State Fullerton’s LGBT Queer Resource Center was recently renamed the Losquadro Keller LGBTQ Resource Center after alumnus Michael T. Losquadro and Dr. Brian C. Keller made a $1.5 million planned gift. The resource center was founded in 2012 on National Coming Out Day. The center, created through the efforts of Associated Students Inc. and the student organization Queer Straight Alliance, provides vital support to LGBTQ+ students. The Queer Straight Alliance, originally known as the Gay Students Union, has been an integral part of CSUF since the 1970s, providing resources to LGBTQ+ students long before the establishment of the resource center. In the 1970s, members of Queer Straight Alliance would hand out secret cards to queer students stating: “You are not alone. There are 2,500 lesbians and gay men at CSUF. We have weekly meetings on Thurs. at 7:30 p.m. in the UC meeting rooms.”
As the campus honors this history and continues working toward an even more inclusive and supportive environment, the Titan community is invited to engage with LGBTQ+ History Month programming. The month will feature several events, including the Queer Straight Alliance’s annual Drag Show, which has been a tradition on campus since 1998.
To learn more about programming and events, visit the LGBTQ+ History Month website.