CSUB to kick off OUTober LGBTQ+ celebration

Monday’s Pride Flag raising ceremony among several events on tap in October

By California State University, Bakersfield

September 28^th, 2023

California State University, Bakersfield is recognizing and supporting its LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff with its upcoming OUTober celebration.

The slate of events kicks off on Monday, Oct. 2, with a Pride Flag raising ceremony at 10 a.m. in the admin quad. The ceremony will feature several speakers, including representatives from Associated Students, Inc. and the LGBTQ+ groups on campus.

The celebration is being held in alignment with LGBT History Month, which recognizes the history and achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies Dr. Jeremiah Sataraka and Assistant Professor of Mathematics Dr. Aubrey Kemp are organizing OUTober for the first time as co-chairs of CSUB’s LGBTQ+ PRIDE faculty and staff affinity group.

“We are very excited for this year’s series of events,” Dr. Sataraka said. “In particular, we’re both very appreciative of our campus partners and sponsors who are hosting and paying for these events in honor of LGBTQIA+ History Month.”

Dr. Kemp said she’s “looking forward to seeing a lot of queer joy throughout the month. Everyone is welcome to come support our LGBTQ+ community at these events, and we will see you all there!”

Here’s a look at some of the events on tap this month as part of OUTober:

Oct. 4: A performance by the world’s first LBGTQ mariachi band, Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, at 4 p.m. on the Student Union patio.

Oct. 5: “Brown Bag: Queer and/or Transgender Pacific Islander (QTPI) Experiences,” featuring Dr. Sataraka, 12 p.m. in the Student Union Multi-Purpose Room.

Oct. 6: Volleyball Pride Night 7 p.m. at the Icardo Center. There will be a resource fair before the game starting at 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 11: “Dating Violence in the LGBTQ+ Community: Cultivating Healthy Relationships Free of Violence,” presentation with Gerardo Bobadilla, 12 p.m. in the Stockdale Room.

Oct. 16: Virtual book reading of "Growing Up Trans: In Our Own Worlds" with Lynna Ha, 4 p.m. via Zoom.

Oct. 26: Expression Nights, 7 p.m. in the Stockdale courtyard. Students, faculty and staff are invited to share their coming-out stories.

Nov. 2: “Bi+ Braveheart: The Highs and Lows of Coming Out to Self and Others for Bisexual, Pansexual and Fluid Individuals” presentation by Dr. Mimi Hoang, 6 p.m. in the Doré Theater.