FRCC LGBTQIA+ Student Groups Offer a Safe Haven and Sense of Community All Year Long
During the month of June, people around the United States and the world come together to celebrate the diversity and dignity of all people.
Pride Month commemorates the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising and highlights the culture, achievements and contributions of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual and queer (LGBTQIA+) community.
Living Proud All Year Long
Pride falls during FRCC’s summer semester—and although things are a little quieter on campus in June, students, faculty and staff are still celebrating in their own ways—and embracing Pride throughout the year.
The college has three student organizations—one on each campus—that provide support and community for people of all orientations, gender identities and expressions.
Sexuality and Gender Alliance
The Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) club at our Larimer Campus is a supportive group for queer and trans students—and students with all sexual and gender identities. In the past year, the club has focused on being a welcoming place for its members.
SAGA meets one to two times a week during the school year, and the agenda is informal. “We like to do fun activities and movie nights and those sorts of things,” says River Bartell, officer for SAGA, who joined the club during their first semester as a student (fall 2022).
“It’s a social environment where people can talk and engage in a way that isn’t as easy for them anywhere else.”
A Safe Space
Topics of conversation can range from sharing community resources to deciding which bathrooms to use. “At SAGA meetings, we don’t have to worry about being secretive or trying to fit into a cisgender and heterosexual environment,” River says.
“We can all just be ourselves.”
Promoting a Diverse and Inclusive Culture
At FRCC’s 2024 Equity & Inclusion Summit, SAGA received the Blanca Peak Student Group Award. The award is given to a student organization that has worked in collaboration with campus or community groups in the creation, sponsorship, and implementation of programs, initiatives, or projects around diversity and inclusion.
The students in SAGA were selected for their exemplary service to the campus and community through active leadership and involvement in college partnership initiatives.
Pride Is for Everyone
SAGA’s staff advisor—who nominated the group for the award—highlighted the club leaders’ exceptional efforts to make their community accessible to all identities, including those who are disabled or neurodivergent. SAGA was applauded for “offering a connection within their group as well as to other resources and opportunities.”
“I’m really proud of that award,” says River. “Queer and trans students can very easily feel excluded, even when that’s not always the intention of other people. Having our own events and activities creates an inclusive environment at FRCC, which is something I’m very passionate about.”
Queers United in Pride
Queers United in Pride (QUIP) at the Boulder County Campus provides a community of support for people of all orientations, gender identities and expressions. Like its Larimer Campus counterpart, QUIP is a social organization more than an activist one, giving students regular opportunities to get together in a laidback setting.
Beck Seren, TRIO Student Support Services success coach at FRCC, is the advisor for QUIP. “We have amazing students in this group,” Beck says. “They’re often hanging out, playing games and talking, and that’s the intention: to have a casual place for students to meet and form a community.”
Club PRISM
At FRCC’s Westminster Campus, the LGBTQIA+ student group is called PRISM, which stands for: Pride, Raising Awareness, Inclusiveness, Support and Mentoring.
PRISM is a group of individuals who seek to build a community with likewise peers. The club was created for and by self-identifying trans and queer students. PRISM is an inclusive community that strives to support the building of friendship, a sense of community and greater well-being.
The group opens its doors with respect and support for all students in their identities. PRISM at Front Range Community College strives for growth, accomplishment, acceptance and a sense of self.
Philosophy of Inclusion
At FRCC, we believe that inclusion is a powerful experience—one that not only helps students to feel that they belong, but that also helps them succeed. We know that including and respecting our diverse experiences and values in all of our interactions at the college is the best way to promote student success.
That’s why the college is proud to be home to these three student-run organizations. The work our student leaders do helps their peers connect with each other and build a strong community. These clubs help make FRCC a place where everyone can feel they belong.
Summer Meetups at Rainbow Swim
Although SAGA, QUIP and PRISM are on pause until school resumes in August, you’ll see some SAGA members at the City Park Pool in Fort Collins for Rainbow Swim this summer.
It’s an intentionally inclusive event that’s free for LGBTQIA+ youth, people and families—and is held every Monday from June 3 to August 12, 6:15pm to 8:15pm.
Pride Celebrations Across the Front Range
There are many Pride events from Denver to Fort Collins—and there’s a good chance you’ll run into some FRCC students and employees at some of them! Here’s a roundup of some well-known celebrations:
Friday, June 7, 3:30pm to 8:00pm | Longmont Pride Festival | Roosevelt Park (Longmont)
Saturday, June 8, 11:00am to 5:00pm | Adams County Pride | Riverdale Regional Park (Brighton)
Saturday, June 22, 9:30am | Denver PRIDE 5K | Colorado State Capitol Building (Denver)
Sunday, June 23, 9:30am | Denver Pride Parade | Cheesman Park to Civic Center (Denver)
Denver Pride is commemorating its 50th anniversary this year!
Saturday, June 29, 11:00am to 5:00pm | NoCo Pride | The Ranch Events Complex (Loveland)
Sunday, June 30, 11:30am to 5:00pm | Boulder Pride Festival | Boulder Central Park
Be YOU
Pride is about celebrating yourself, and that’s a little different for everyone. For River, it means being “loudly yourself.”
“Pride is about being confident in talking about your life and experiences openly and not worrying about being silent or quiet,” River explains.
“It’s about being authentic in who you are and feeling the emotions that come with that.”
And with that, we wish each of you a happy Pride Month.
Welcoming. Respectful. Inclusive. Together, we are FRCC.
