Long Beach City College embraced their new and returning LGBTQIA students at their second annual Lavender Pinning Ceremony, an event that was dedicated to show the students that attended that they were welcome.
Last year 15 students signed up to receive a pin during the ceremony, this year there were 37 recipients.
From first year students, to students that had graduated or only taking a class for fun, all of the recipients were celebrated no matter how long they have been at LBCC or how old they are.
The event gave lavender pins to the students as a physical reminder that there are faulty members that support them.
“We all know it takes a village to get through college and take a moment to look around these individuals in this room and in this space are your village, they are here for you.” Dr. Jerome Hunt, professor at LBCC stated.
It wasn’t only professors that were at the event, several board of trustee members were also there to show their support.
“LBCC recognizes you. We embrace you and all of our LGBTQIA students, faculty and staff. You belong here,” Trustee Herlinda Chico stated during her remarks, dressed in all purple to show her support to the queer community.
Another member of the Long Beach City Colleges Leadership team that came out to show their support is the Vice President of Student Services Nohel C. Corral spoke on behalf of himself and Mike Munoz who was not able to make it because of prior engagements.
“He (Mike Munoz) is the first openly gay president at Long Beach City College and he is an advocate not only here but across the region, across the state and in the country,” Corral said.
Corral stated how Mike Munoz has spoken up for students and advocated for students across the region and not just the Long Beach.
When it was time for the students to receive their pins, they were all asked to speak on why this moment or why LBCC is important to them if they felt conformable. Every student spoke as they got their pins.
“It is amazing coming to a college with such a diverse community for the LGBT,” LBCC student Payne West stated.
Payne talked about how they grew up in Missouri and Bakersfield, two places that are known for not really being LGBTQ friendly. Being here they were able to find community here and create the life that they wanted.
“This is the first atmosphere where I felt comfortable being myself,” another student Kyshia Hearns said.
Many other students commented how they felt that they had found themselves family and community at LBCC, and many were thankful to staff members and the friends and students that they had met on campus.
The ceremony ended with closing remarks from Kim Hamon, the Student Activities Advisor and the Faculty Advisor of Queer Space. The remarks thanked everyone from students, board members, professors and friends for coming as well as resources for Transgender and LGBTQ students.