GALLERY: Palomar Pride Event May 10, 2023

Drag queen performs in the Student Union at Palomar College’s Queer Pride event on May 10, 2023

Student visits the Student Affairs tent at the Palomar Queer Pride Event May 10, 2023

Drag queen performs in the Student Union at Palomar College’s Queer Pride event on May 10, 2023

Drag queen performs in the Student Union at Palomar College’s Queer Pride event on May 10, 2023

Drag queen performs in the Student Union at Palomar College’s Queer Pride event on May 10, 2023

The event started with a speech from Abbie Cory, chair of the Pride Center, celebrating the resilience and joy within the queer community throughout the decades. American Indian Studies professor Diana Ortiz also joined the stage to give the land acknowledgment, bringing attention to the Indigenous community and their history in San Marcos. The final speech was given by Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey, Palomar College’s Superintendent/President, which focused on Pride at Palomar through the decades. After the speeches concluded, the group raised the Queer Pride flag together. Photo by Cynthia Cunningham

Drag queen performs in the Student Union at Palomar College’s Queer Pride event on May 10, 2023

Palomar President Star Rivera-Lacey gives a keynote speech at the Palomar Queer Pride Event May 10, 2023

Drag queen performs in the Student Union at Palomar College’s Queer Pride event on May 10, 2023

After the raising of the flag, that Queer Pride drag show began. The first performer was Syren, who opened up with a lipsynch performance of “I Am What I Am” by Aqua. Siren used large motions in her performance, taking up space both on and off the stage, to show those watching that she is proud to be who she is. The choice of the song and the performance captivated the audience and reminded those at the Queer Pride event to live their lives as the most authentic version of themselves. Photo by Cynthia Cunningham

Palomar Drag queen performs in the Student Union at Palomar College’s Queer Pride event on May 10, 2023ueer Pride Event May 10 2023

Palomar community enjoying the Queer Pride Event on May 10, 2023

Palomar staff and faculty raise a pride flag at the Palomar Queer Pride on Event May 10, 2023

Palomar students, faculty, and more attended the second annual Queer Pride Event on May 10th. Booths featuring Palomar’s clubs, resources, and outside organizations lined the outside of the student union. Many booths offered free resources, grab bags, and snacks to everyone attending the event. Those attending could visit the booths to grab pride flags, stickers, and pronoun pins. The booths and goodies created an inviting and inclusive atmosphere, prioritizing showing off pride and support for the LGBTQ+ students and faculty at Palomar. Photo by Cynthia Cunningham

Jat Finnell was at the event representing the North County LGBTQ Resource Center and offered free goodies to everyone who visited the booth. Finnel said that events like Palomar’s Queer Pride event are essential because they recognize the queer community on campus and create a safe self-expression environment. Finnel was also there to offer educational resources to queer students and allies alike and created a safe space for anyone to come up and ask questions. One student approached Finnel asking about how to support their transgender friends, and Finnel answered their questions and provided pamphlets for more information. Photo by Cynthia Cunningham/The Telescope

The progress pride flag flies high, along with the California and United States flags, as a symbol of support and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community members on campus. This version of the pride flag, which includes the Trans Pride colors and the Black and Brown Pride colors, was designed by Danial Quasar in 2018. This new version of the pride flag was created to emphasize inclusion and progression within the LGBTQ+ community. Photo by Cynthia Cunningham

Drag Queen performs at the Palomar Queer Pride Event May 10, 2023

Student draws a character on the ground with chalk at Palomar’s Queer Pride event on May 10, 2023

Drag queen performs in the Student Union at Palomar College’s Queer Pride event on May 10, 2023

Abbie Cory, the chair of Palomar’s Pride department gives an opening speech at the Palomar Queer Pride Event May 10, 2023

Drag queen kicks a leg in the air at Palomar College’s Queer Pride event on May 10, 2023

Drag queen performs in the Student Union at Palomar College’s Queer Pride event on May 10, 2023

Queer Pride flag raising ceremony at the Palomar Queer Pride Event May 10, 2023

Diana Ortiz, professor of American Indian Studies gives a speech at the Palomar Queer Pride Event May 10, 2023

Palomar community help themselves to refreshments at the Palomar Queer Pride Event May 10, 2023

Drag Queen performs at the Palomar Queer Pride Event May 10, 2023

Drag queen performs in the Student Union at Palomar College’s Queer Pride event on May 10, 2023

Drag queen performs in the Student Union at Palomar College’s Queer Pride event on May 10, 2023

Drag queen performs in the Student Union at Palomar College’s Queer Pride event on May 10, 2023

Palomar Queer Pride Event May 10 2023