Construction for LGBTQ+ Center begins this academic year

Construction of an anticipated center for LGBTQ+ identifying students in the Village is expected to begin in spring 2025.

Officials said the new SAC PRIDE! Center will be funded by state allocations to provide employee work space and student use space.

LGBTQ+ initiatives recommend that student centers are staffed with a wellness program coordinator, counselors, and at least one therapist.

“I believe that the school administration is responsible for providing an identified space and resource options for LGBTQ+ students,” said Lisa Macafee, SAC Pride and generalist counselor and a member of the SAC PRIDE! Advisory Board.

Until the center is open, Macafee suggested that students can support the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) club, and take advantage of designated safe spaces on campus.

“GSA meetings help students connect and fill open officer positions or the club benefit money gets lost without ratifying,” GSA SAC PRIDE! representative, Joseph Gonzalez explained. Inter-Club Council (ICC) officer requirements must be met for club membership to get ratified and have access to funding and meeting rooms through the ICC.

Gonzalez wants to organize both fun group events and support workshops for GSA Club students. He secured a student meeting space on campus through his own resources as a dance major for over 150 students who signed up at Club Rush this week.

“Hopefully we can get some officers this semester … the meeting room and different meeting days allow more students to participate,” Gonzalez said.

The SAC PRIDE! Advisory Board Co-Chairs are Lance Lockwood, communications department chair, and Dr. Greg Toya, student affairs dean. They are working on the LGBTQ+ program plan due to the state this December. They are developing the plan together with guidance from the advisory board members.

Each planning phase of the SAC Pride Center will be funded by allocations from the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. The CCCCO is responsible for dispersing funds and auditing student services program plans.

“SAC PRIDE! is active and working diligently with SAC, Rancho Santiago Community College District, and our Administrators to bring the best program and facility that our campus deserves,” Lockwood said.

Macafee clarified that administrators have used language to describe the construction process as lengthy and tedious, and cited district rules as a partial obstacle to timely implementation.

LGBTQ+ students seeking essential resources or affirming support will soon find a directory of educators and community allies from the advisory board on the SAC PRIDE! LGBTQ+ Webpage.

“My goal has been to list LGBTQ+ advocates on our website with bios,” Macafee said.

SAC GSA Club Meetings start September 9th in Room A210 from 2:30-3:45 p.m. and Lunch Wednesdays will take place at noon in the quad. Follow GSA Events @sac.gsa on Instagram.

For more information regarding SAC GSA, please contact Dr. Chris Becerra, Advisor, at becerra_christopher@sac.edu.

For more information on LGBTQIA2S+ resources, please contact Professor Lance Lockwood at lockwood_lance@sac.edu or Dr. Greg Toya at toya_gregory@sac.edu.