Santa Barbara City College will raise the intersex-inclusive progress Pride Flag at its landmark West Campus flagpole site on Thursday, April 4 in an event designed to support the college’s lesbian, gay, bixsexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual and more (LGBTQIA+) students and staff.

The word 'pride' is spelled out in rainbow-colored letters on poster announcing the Pride Flag Raising event at Santa Barbara City College.

The morning celebration runs 9-10:30 a.m. with the flag-raising at 9:45 a.m. There will be music, refreshments, and speeches by Superintendent/President Erika Endrijonas, and members of SBCC’s Student Equity and Engagement programs.

The Pride Flag raising ceremony is the first of the Pride Month activities in April that SBCC has planned to support its LGBTQIA+ campus community.

Although the traditional Pride Month is in June, the City College campus will unofficially celebrate “Pride” and its LGBTQIA+ community in April, when more students are on campus and can participate and feel included.

Events slated events for April include a Pride Picnic, Steer QueerPoetry Workshop and open mic events, and a Queer/LGBTQ+ Art exhibit.

On Friday, April 5 there will be a panel discussion and community forum on the status of the 805’s LGBTQ+ community, called “The State of Our Community: A Conversation for our Wellbeing,” at SBCC’s Fé Bland Forum.

“It is with immense excitement to see the support and visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community on campus, for all students, staff and faculty, said Selena Martinez, ESJ and Pride Program advisor.

“This flag raising is not just a symbolic gesture; it is a commitment,” Martinez. “A commitment to creating an environment where everyone — regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity — feels safe, respected, and supported. It is a pledge to foster a campus culture of equality, equity and understanding.”

“In an effort to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community at SBCC the Office of Student Equity and Engagement Programs is excited to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community at SBCC through our new Pride Program, Virtual Pride Center, and many exciting new initiatives,” said Roxane M. Byrne, director of Student Equity and Engagement Programs

“We are grateful to the support of the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office for funding that has allowed us to dedicate staffing and resources to this important endeavor,” she said.

Recently, a Pride Virtual Center was added to the SBCC website, featuring resources for the campus LGBTQIA+ community, including events, resources and lines of support.