CSUF LGBTQ Queer Resource Center Builds a Close Knit Community For Students
Cal State Fullerton celebrated “National Coming Out Week'' on campus annually on Oct. 14 with the CSUF Drag Show. The CSUF housing plaza hosted over 200 students to celebrate the LGBTQ+ culture and supported local drag queens from all over Orange County.
The annual drag show is organized by the CSUF LGBT Queer Resource Center with the hopes of bringing the community together to support each other and overall for students to feel comfortable around others who have gone through similar experiences.
Luis Vazquez ran the QRC booth at the Drag Show. Luis said, “Once you kind of get with your community, you’re going to ask them or you’ll be able to ask questions to each other. If you’re questioning or contemplating whether you want to come out, we have that community and those kinds of friends, you get to have that safe space with them and share your experiences.”
Being comfortable and feeling safe is one of the main goals that the Resource Center tries to create and achieve.
CSUF LGBT QRC coordinator, Nat Arellano, expressed that there has been an influx of students since the show, saying that many come through for all sorts of things.
Perhaps what’s the most compelling is the fact that students were and continuing to experience the impact of being exposed to queer culture, leading to their own discoveries about queer identities and orientations.
Coming out is hard, and QRC understands that more than anybody else. The drag queens and the organizers at the show all reassured questioning folks that it’s okay to come out.
“We’re kind of going more towards the term of inviting in. Because coming out kind of has that sense that you have the necessity to come out to everyone. But inviting in will have that connotation that we have the power to who we want to invite in.”
“Remember you have control over your life. Whatever, however, how long you think it takes to come out or whenever you feel comfortable, you do that. ”
“You know, it all takes time. Just know that you’re not alone and we’re all here for you. You have people that love you.”
For anybody who wants or needs advice from QRC, the Center is open from Mondays through Fridays at the Pollack Library South 180, Room 189 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone can hit up the line at lgbtq@fullerton.edu or (657) 278-4218.
Social Media links:
Listen to our full interview with Nat Arellano below!
Below are the social media accounts of the drag queens who performed at the CSUF Drag Show. Please check them out!
