51萝莉

With fluttering rainbow flags, the groove of 鈥淒ancing Queen鈥� and the smell of sizzling burgers, 51萝莉 kicked off Pride Month at its Rancho Cucamonga campus June 5.

About 300 members of the campus and surrounding community gathered, something particularly meaningful in the current social and political climate, said Priscilla Zamora Nunez, who serves as Chaffey鈥檚 liaison for undocumented and LGBTQIA+ students.

鈥淲e鈥檙e here, we鈥檙e stronger, we鈥檙e bigger and braver than ever,鈥� she said.

Circus artists juggled, danced with flags and even stilt-walked to disco classics, while Inland Empire drag artist Frida Diablo lip-synched to a Chappell Roan medley, among other songs.

鈥淧ride to me is not just a celebration of those who came before us, but it鈥檚 also a reminder that the fight is not over 鈥� it has only changed,鈥� they said.

Monserrat Romero-Garcia, a theatre arts major who identifies as pansexual and gender fluid, visited information booths, played carnival games and enjoyed food from the Habit Burger & Grill and Bruster鈥檚 ice cream.

鈥淚t makes me comfortable to see my community represented here,鈥� they said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important for people to have a space for themselves and to express themselves.鈥�

Ariel Galindo-Escobar, an alumnus who graduated in May, sang along as fellow Panthers danced and lip synched to 鈥淏orn This Way鈥� by Lady Gaga. He returned to Chaffey for Pride because his busy class schedule prevented him from attending previous celebrations.

鈥淢e being gay, I want to support this and even though I鈥檓 not a student here I still want to support Chaffey,鈥� he said.

Professor of History Ian Baldwin, who serves as faculty advisor for Chaffey鈥檚 Lavender Coalition student club, said it鈥檚 critical for schools to provide safe spaces for marginalized communities in the current climate.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 important that Chaffey is not backing down from queer culture, queer history and queer identity,鈥� he said.