University Student Union (USU) board of directors allocated space in the student union for a veterans’ resource center, bicycle co-op and an LGBTQ resource center, the representatives of which appeared in droves to the make their case before the board Monday. The tenants must submit a detailed plan to manage their new locations and secure funding by December of this year to secure the spaces they were given, said Executive Director Debra Hammond. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) Resource… Read more

CSUN’s LGBTA hosted a resource and career conference on Tuesday, the first of its kind on campus. With a culmination of amenities from the community and the university, the organization made efforts to spread awareness and gain recognition to have their own facility. Eighteen participants made up of business and support groups settled in the Northridge Center to provide information for those in attendance. The conference offered a resume workshop conducted by the KMPG accounting firm and an interview workshop… Read more

Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance (LGBTA)  were out in force yesterday decorating the Matador Walk in colorful sidewalk chalk in an attempt to generate awareness for a potential Queer Resource Center. The words “Support Queer Resource Center” and “Create a Safe Space” were written on the walk space in hopes of garnishing support for a campus resource center. Karlee Johnson, 20, journalism major and vice president of LGBTA,  said the organization is hoping to create a safe… Read more

CSUN students held a “die in” inside the first and second floor of the Oviatt Library Tuesday afternoon to call attention to the recent suicides among the LGBT community. Participants fell to the ground to symbolize the deaths affecting the LGBT community. Organizers of the “die in” gave a speech on homophobia and the bullying affecting LGBT youth. Other participants handed out fliers that included resources and information on LGBT struggles. Participants chanted, “stop queer violence, create safe space.” “I… Read more

“DRAGsquerade,” a production that flowed with high energy from talented CSUN students, transformed the USU Theater into a grand showcase Friday night. Sponsored by the LGBTA club at CSUN, the show was filled with a variety of singing and dancing acts which included an ode to Christina Aguilera, “Wicked,” the “Rocky Horror Picture show,” Alanis Morisette, and Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg, all done in true drag fashion. CSUN dance crew Fasmode returned to perform for the event this year…. Read more

The dean of arts, media and communication gave a special presentation Tuesday to A.S. members about the Valley Performing Arts Center (VPAC) and addressed senators’ questions regarding parking restrictions, promotions and student ideas for program events. Robert Bucker spoke about discounted tickets for students and the second beta test, which was conducted Monday night. “Last night our second beta test was an opportunity to test the acoustical quality of the building,” Bucker said. He added there were still a lot… Read more

Minda Greenberg, a 24-year-old CSUN alumna, shared her coming-out story over a loud speaker Monday during National Coming Out Day. She said she came out to her mother three years ago about being bisexual, but just last night she came out to her entire family on Facebook. “During a commercial of watching Law and Order, my mom asked me why I liked hanging with gay people, and I told her that I liked girls,” Greenberg said. “She was upset and… Read more

Junior Martel Okonji, 21, said he came to CSUN without any support group. “I came here with no support, no friends, anything,” said the sociology major. He said all that changed when he learned about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance (LGBTA) on campus. Okonji said he received a flyer and saw demonstrations on the Day of Silence, the nationally recognized day that brings attention to the anti-LGBT acts of bullying, name calling and harassment. Okonji later became the intramural… Read more

Along with supporters, LGBTA president asked the Associated Students (A.S.) for their support for a queer resource center on campus and for the recent suicides of gay teenagers. Martel Okonji, president of LGBTA, said he wanted A.S. to support their events to show students on campus that they are aware of the issues affecting those who don’t feel safe to come out about their sexuality. “We want A.S. behind us not just as LGBTA, but as CSUN students addressing what… Read more