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LGBTQIA+ Pride Center

At the Pride Center, we support our LGBTQIA+2 students and promote campus allyship.

Celebrating MVC's Colorful Community

Being LGBTQIA+ takes strength. At Moreno Valley College, we promise to work to safeguard your right to a safe and welcoming campus by being allies, providing inclusive environments, learning and educating ourselves and our community, and helping LGBTQIA students realize their dreams.

You are Uniquely Perfect

No matter how you identify, you matter at MVC. As Mountain Lions, you are part of a welcoming community that is ready to listen, learn from you, grow with you, and help you thrive as you live bravely and authentically. Your campus allies are available around every corner.
A smiling young man grins at his friends

Services Available

A group of diverse students sit on the grass with pride flag on their lap

A Community that Cares

On-Campus Access

You're welcome here at MVC. Let us help you find ways to ensure you feel like you belong.
  • Library, Third Floor
  • Welcome Center
  • Student Academic Services, First Floor
  • Parkside Complex 5 and 19

Lavender Graduation celebrates the academic achievements and contributions of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and others) individuals. This annual ceremony allows us to acknowledge the unique experiences and struggles that LGBTQ+ students often face during their academic journeys.

The tradition of Lavender Graduation began in the early 1990s at the University of Michigan. MVC is proud to bring it to our campus community for each year.

  • Occurs annually in May
  • Details announced annually in April
  • Free to graduating students and their friends and families

At MVC, we are committed to fostering a campus where LGBTQIA+ individuals feel empowered, supported, and celebrated. The LGBTQ+ Canvas Hub is a dedicated digital space for resources, support, and community engagement. Whether students are seeking educational materials, information on campus events, or ways to connect with LGBTQ+ peers and allies, this hub provides an inclusive and affirming environment.

  • Educational Resources – Articles, guides, and workshops on LGBTQ+ topics.
  • Upcoming Events – Information on campus events, Pride celebrations, and ally trainings.
  • Support Services – Access to counseling and other student support services.
  • Community Engagement – Opportunities to get involved, share experiences, and connect with others.

Enroll automatically in Canvas

Important Updates and Changes

We know it's a turbulent time. MVC is dedicated to helping you feel like you belong, but as the world changes around us, make sure you stay on top of important information.

Question #11 on the FAFSA, which is a federally managed aid application, asks "What is the student's gender?" As of February 14, only two answers are available: male or female. As you file new or corrected FAFSAs, please keep the following in mind:

  • Applicants cannot skip the question.
  • Students who have already submitted a 2024–25 or 2025–26 FAFSA form before February 14, and do not require other corrections, are not required to take any action.
  • If a student previously answered “Non-binary” or “Prefer not to answer” and goes to submit a correction to their 2024-25 or 2025-26 form for any reason, they will be required to respond to the updated sex question to successfully resubmit their FAFSA form. Students will be prompted to do so as part of submitting the correction.
  • Responses to this question do not impact eligibility for aid and are not shared with institutions, states, or any other partners.
  • Current versions of the paper FAFSA form submitted after February 14 will still be processed, regardless of the answer selected, and will not require a correction.

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Become an Ally

An ALLY is a visible member of the Riverside Community College District community who is willing to provide a safe haven and an empathetic ear to anyone concerned with sexual orientation or gender identity issues. At MVC, being an ally means knowing that LGBTQIA+ individuals are indispensable to our campus and wider culture. Allies can attend Ally trainings, sign an Ally contract, and show their support with email signature additions, office placards, and more. Other ways to be an ally include:

  • Stand up for LGBTQIA+ individuals and make your support clear. You can do this by advocating at meetings and events; shutting down anti-LGBTQ comments, attitudes or jokes; reporting discriminatory behaviors; and using inclusive language.
  • Create welcoming environments by displaying LGBTQIA+ positive messaging, providing resources, and being aware of local services.
  • Respect the privacy and confidentiality of LGBTQIA+ individuals that choose to share their experiences or concerns with you.

  • Be willing to learn, examine your own fears and biases, and grow as a person and ally.
  • Attend, support and engage with LGBTQIA+ events, creatives, writers, programs and meetings.
  • Understand that LGBTQIA+ individuals are diverse, and have different backgrounds, experiences and beliefs. Know that a person's sexuality is a single facet of their life.

Organizations of Note

  • ACLU: The American Civil Liberties Union was formed over 100 years ago to enforce and protect the civil liberties and rights of all Americans.
  • GLSEN: GLSEN works to improve the bullying and discrimination problem against LGBTQ students in schools from grades K-12. 
  • GLAAD: GLAAD is an American non-governmental media monitoring organization, founded as a protest against defamatory coverage of LGBT people. GLAAD can be useful in discovering LGBTQIA+ portrayals in media.
  • Human Rights Campaign: The HRC is the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization.
  • National Center for Transgender Equality: The NCTE's mission is to advocate and push for policy change that protects the freedom and liberties of transgender Americans.
  • SNaPCo: SNaPCo builds power of Black trans and queer people to force systemic divestment from the prison industrial complex and invest in community support. 
  • Somos Familia Valle: Somos Familia Valle is a San Fernando Valley-based organization dedicated to educating and supporting the LGBTQ community and their families, with a focus on the immigrant community and people of color.
  • The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is a national crisis and suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ teens and young adults.

Resources

 

 

MVC graduates

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