Students come from many different backgrounds and share different experiences. We have become more accepting of diverse identities and exposure as a society. The experience of LGBTQ+ students is essential in understanding the success and failure of a particular institution.

The experiences of LGBTQ+ students on campus are often unique and can come with significant challenges.

Some students may face discrimination from other students, faculty, and staff, and don’t feel their college campus has the resources to help them navigate college life. This type of behavior can be subtle, whether it’s unintentional slights towards them or outright verbal or physical abuse.

CSU Stanislaus has worked to make progress in the right direction, but more can always be done.

Theo Alvarez (Junior, Biology) works at the Warrior Cross Cultural Center, where their mission is to be a hub for inclusivity and support.

“We try our best to be as inclusive as we can, and just walking through the halls on campus, I see a lot of ally flags on the walls, and I like the fact that the library has gender neutral bathrooms,” he said.

The WCCC is a safe space for students of all different cultures and identities to gather and share information and experiences without feeling judged by anyone.

Angel Ruiz (senior, English) said she struggled with acceptance and coming out to her parents and reached out to the Counseling and Psychological Services department.

“I think being a queer person of color makes it a lot more difficult finding people who understand my identity as a first-generation student who is also Latinx,” she said.

The counseling services at Stan State that Ruiz utilized is a place where students struggling with their identity or needing to talk to someone outside of their social circle can reach out for guidance.

One resonating issue with students at Stan State is the need for more clubs and services catering to the LGBTQ+ community on campus.

“We need more access to the programs offered for the LGBTQ+ community,” said Marc Briones (junior, English).

There are other programs on campus, such as the LGBTQ+ Mentorship Program and Love Evolution, but many students don’t know how to access these resources and who to talk to.

Making these programs easier to find can make a world of difference for students in the LGBTQ+ community.

By recognizing the struggles and triumphs of LGBTQ+ students on campus, Stan State students can progress towards a future where everyone feels valued and celebrated for who they are.