Lavender Initiatives
Lavender Initiatives
Bakersfield College's commitment to ensuring a safe campus environment, the Office of Student Life provides a space for members of the college community to explore issues related to sexual and gender identities, practices, and politics. The Office caters to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) students and staff, offering them a platform to celebrate their experiences collectively. In addition to providing educational resources and programs for the LGBTQIA+ and allied community, the Office also promotes student leadership, academic equity, safe space events, and visibility of gender and sexual minorities. We place a high value on racial and economic justice, intersectionality, and support other campus groups in pursuing justice.
Statement of Purpose
The Lavender Initiatives works diligently to ensure the inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community at Bakersfield College. We strive to be an affirming force for individuals of all identities, and a resource for information and support about gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Serving all members of the Bakersfield College community - students, faculty, staff, and alums - we aim to build a strong presence on our campuses and cultivate a sense of connection among the LGBTQIA+ community, both on campus and within the cities, towns, and unincorporated rural areas across our service area. We build community, connection, and inclusion through the creation of educational, cultural, and social events paired with targeted systemic change to address inequity and discrimination and support student success and completion.
At Bakersfield College, we strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone, including the LGBTQIA+ community. We understand that homophobia and a lack of knowledge can negatively impact the well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals. To address these concerns, we have established Lavender Initiatives, a program designed to support and provide information to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning individuals. If you are a BC student or a community member seeking more information about LGBTQIA+ matters at Bakersfield College, please do not hesitate to contact us at Lavender Initiatives. We would be more than happy to assist you.
Campus Contacts
Program Dean: Dr. Nicky Damania
Program Lead: Arianna Oceguera
pride@bakersfieldcollege.edu
(661) 395-4614
Dr. Damania and Adrianna serve as the LGBTQIA+ Campus Liaisons under CA Ed Code Section 66271.2. Their responsibility to the students and the campus community are to:
- Serve as a main point of contact for students to access community and support on campus
- Receive reports of students who experience biased treatment on campus based on their gender and sexuality and act as liaison with Title IX when sexual misconduct incidents are reported.
- Work with planning groups for LGBTQIA+ focused programming and events
- Encourage campus participation in CCC LGBTQIA+ Summit
- Consult on new policies and procedures affecting LGBTQIA+ students
- Create allyship trainings and workshops for the campus
- Consult or lead spending of LGBTQIA+ funds
- Advocate for LGBTQIA+ needs and concerns on campus and in assigned shared governance meetings.
Lavender Ceremony
Lavender Pre-Commencement Celebration
The Lavender Pre-Commencement Celebration is a special ceremony that recognizes and honors the achievements and contributions of LGBTQIA+ and allied students. It generally takes place on the same day as the commencement ceremony, and graduates are presented with a lavender sash to wear with their graduation regalia for representation. For more information on why we use lavender, visit the WHMT website.
