CSUB celebrates Pride Month 2020 with OUTober

Virtual events and activities to run through the month of October

Por California State University, Bakersfield

29 de September de 2020

This year’s Pride Month OUTober celebration at California State University, Bakersfield is packed with virtual events and activities for the month of October, officially starting on Monday, Oct. 5 and concluding on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Festivities this year have been extended to a full month rather than just one week, as in years past.

“We know that being away from each other right now is so hard, but so many people on campus wanted to share the love and show support this year. In fact, we got so much love, we had to add more days to the celebration! We are also so happy that we can still connect with the community with our events and hope that more people will join us because we are virtual,” said Dr. Bre Evans-Santiago, LGBTQ+ affinity group co-chair and LGBTQ+ co-advisor for the student network.

Expression Nights and Drag Bingo will return! New events and collaborations will also be held, including Paint Night to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month in conjunction with the Multicultural Alliance and Gender Equity Center (MAGEC). Story time with Mr. Rader, the Walter W. Stiern Library and Teacher Education will also take place and a Pride Dance Party can be found on Instagram Live with the LGBTQ+ Network.

Here are just a few key dates to keep in mind:

· Tuesday, Oct. 6, noon – The LGBTQ+ Experience is a cultural competency training that will assist in defining and distinguishing between sexual orientation and gender identity. It will also help providers understand culturally appropriate interactions and affirming services for the LGBTQ+ community.

Zoom link: https://csub.zoom.us/j/95244073336

· Thursday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m.– Expression Nights: Coming Out Stories will allow attendees to share their coming out stories in a safe and supportive environment.

Zoom link: https://csub.zoom.us/j/95291868543#success

· Friday, Oct. 9, 7 p.m. - Paint Night: “Dia de Los Muertos” Day of the Dead will allow attendees to participate in a themed paint night in celebration of October and Hispanic Heritage Month. Sign up by September 30 to receive a paint kit. Follow @CSUB_MAGEC on Instagram for more information.

· Wednesday, Oct. 14, 8 p.m. – Play Drag Queen Bingo with the legendary queen, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, from RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Zoom link: https://csub.zoom.us/j/95061932910#success

· Sunday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m. – Out to brunch with Wendy Garay: LGBTQ+ and Allyship for the Virtual Classroom. Garay was the first LGBTQ+ resource teacher in Kern County. She will talk about how to be an ally for students and families in a virtual classroom setting. Advanced registration with a CSUB-based email address.

Other events will include Coffee & Conversation and a Brown Bag Discussion.

“If anyone is experiencing a dark time, struggling with LGBTQ+ identity or a lack of support at home, please know that we are here and to contact us right away,” said Dr. Evans-Santiago.