With the holidays just around the corner, the end of the year can be a difficult time for a lot of students, especially queer individuals who may not be completely out or accepted in their own households.
Fullerton College held its first ‘Queersgiving’ on Nov. 19, 2024 featuring a spread of Thanksgiving food, art activities, and resources for all queer students that attended the event. The LGBTQIA2S+ Resource Program hosted their event for queer students to celebrate the tradition of Thanksgiving and socialize with their fellow students.
“What we wanted to do is give the opportunity for folks to be in a queer community ahead of the fall break and make sure that they know they have that chosen family before campus is closed for fall break,” said LGBTQIA2S+ Program Special Projects Manager Ariel Gentalen.
About 30 students attended ‘Queersgiving’ filling up every seat that was available at the event. They were all greeted by Gentalen as well as the newest member of the Resource Program staff Frank Peña who was just starting his first day at Fullerton College as the newest LGBTQIA2S+ Wellness Associate.
Events like these are important for queer students as it gives them an opportunity to meet new people that are in the same community as them and they can be comfortable in these spaces knowing that they are surrounded by people that are just like them and they can rely on.
“I think it’s just cool to be able to have a bunch of queer students in your same campus and be able to chat and hang out with them. I have met these two people that I have never spoken to before and I think I have been having a nice conversation with them,” said Maria Munoz.
One student also praised how the program has helped them a lot this semester especially with all the resources that they provide and the events that have been put on throughout the semester such as the Loud & Proud Process Group and the Queer Social Mixers.
“I just found out about it this semester. Since learning about it I feel like it’s helped me a lot knowing that there’s a space that I can go to on campus that’s a safe place and I don’t have to worry about judgment. I think it’s a really nice program,” said Aero Arreola.
The LGBTQIA2S+ Resource Program has been organizing events all semester long centered around queer students with a few more to come in the remaining weeks of the Fall semester. To get information of what the program is working on you can visit the LGBTQIA2S+ Resource Program website or follow their page on Instagram.
“Now more than ever we need visibility and community for LGBTQ+ folks to know that they are loved and accepted. Events like these can help with mental health and student success and a sense of belonging that will carry with them throughout their lives,” said Gentalen.
