Military personnel will participate in SDSU’s 5th annual rainbow flag raising ceremony.
SDSU's 2011 flag raising ceremony.
For the first time, members of the U.S. military will raise the rainbow flag at San Diego State’s annual LGBT flag raising ceremony, celebrating community diversity and inclusion.
In the aftermath of the United States government’s repeal of the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy, military personnel will participate for the first time in the event's five year history.
The ceremony takes place on at 11:30 a.m. on July 16 in front of Hepner Hall. The event will kick off San Diego’s LGBT Pride Week.
“The intent of this event is to bring people together and educate individuals about the value of difference,” said Aaron Bruce, SDSU’s chief diversity officer. “Diversity and inclusion are part of the core values of our university and this event supports the identities of our diverse students, faculty, staff, alumni, and their families.”
LGBT-friendly campus
The flag raising ceremony is one of the many initiatives that take place throughout the year that demonstrate SDSU’s commitment to diversity and creating a welcoming campus climate.
“As we prepare students to be successful leaders in a diverse work force, it’s important that they have a good understanding of the LGBT community as well,” Bruce said.
Other SDSU programs include:
Free expression pole
“My expectation is with the establishment of a new student center in fall of 2013 a flag pole will be erected to accommodate similar inclusive flag-raising activities,” said Bruce.