San Diego Community College District

Today, across our colleges and district facilities, we celebrate the start of Pride Month. We honor and elevate our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and additional communities (LGBTQIA+) during June in recognition of the Stonewall Uprising, which occurred on June 28, 1969 and is recognized as a pivotal moment in our national awareness of the LGBTQIA+ civil and social liberation movement. At its April 27th meeting this spring, our Board of Trustees unanimously adopted a resolution declaring the month of June 2023 to be a districtwide celebration of LGBTQIA+ Pride. We encourage everyone to read the resolution.

The Board of Trustee’s resolution marks a historic moment for the San Diego Community College District and our colleges. At the Board’s direction, and for the first time in our history, the Pride Progress flag is being raised across our district.

Raising and proudly displaying the Pride Progress flag is a critical symbol for our district and colleges. Symbols express values, ideals, and meaning and help us create and understand culture. When we see the Pride Progress flag flying alongside our national and state flags, we recognize the terrible history of oppression and discrimination members of the LGBTQIA+ community have experienced, we recognize the continuing struggle for equity and inclusion, and we recognize the vital civic role of our institutions in shaping a collective future where every member of our LGBTQIA+ community lives authentically and thrives.

Today’s celebrations and the events we will hold throughout Pride month symbolize our values, which goes so far beyond simply valuing our LGBTQIA+ communities.

To all the students, employees, and community members served by the San Diego Community College District, San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, San Diego Miramar College, and the San Diego College of Continuing Education who identify with or serve as allies to the LGBTIA+ community:

We do not merely accept you, we celebrate your authenticity. We do not merely welcome your participation, we encourage your leadership. We do not merely seek to include you, we offer you belonging. We do not merely offer safe spaces, we seek to empower you.

Pride is much more than just a month of recognition and celebration. We encourage all members of our community to take action each day to create a culture of belonging and empowerment. Get involved with one of our college communities (City College, Mesa College, Miramar College), join a safe zone training, and learn how you can be an ally.

Happy Pride!

Gregory Smith
Acting Chancellor of the San Diego Community College District