Pride Flag Raising Ceremony Remarks
Good morning, everyone. Buenas días a todos:
Es un honor estar aquí con ustedes. It’s truly an honor to stand with you today.
Before I get too far into my remarks, I want to thank Dr. Mudgett for the invitation to share a few thoughts today and of course President Rivera-Lacey for her leadership on this and so many other issues. And I want to be clear—while I serve proudly on the Governing Board, today I’m speaking from the heart and not on behalf of anybody but me.
Raising the Pride flag here at Palomar is a powerful act. It’s a symbol of love, of dignity, and of the right to live openly and authentically.
This flag reflects who we are and who we strive to be as a college community —diverse, courageous, and united in our commitment to justice and inclusion. It’s a reminder that every student, every staff and faculty member, deserves to be seen, heard, and valued for exactly who they are.
To our LGBTQ+ community: you are not just welcome here—you are essential. You are leaders, thinkers, creators, organizers, family, and friends. You deserve to live, to love, to learn, and to thrive—without fear, without shame, and without compromise.
Pride is a celebration, yes—but it’s also a reminder of where this all began. Pride was born out of protest. Out of resistance. It came from people—often young, queer, trans, and people of color—who were told they didn’t belong, and who fought back anyway.
We honor people like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who stood on the front lines at Stonewall. Harvey Milk, who risked it all to run for office and represent his community. And Bayard Rustin, a brilliant strategist behind the civil rights movement, who lived openly and bravely in a time when that came at a high cost.
Their courage opened doors. And the fact that we are here today with a common purpose feels like we’ve come such a long way. But we know— victories are fragile and we still have work to do.
Right now, we’re seeing a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the country, much of it aimed directly at trans youth and inclusive education. Books are being banned. Histories erased. Hate crimes are still a reality. It’s a reminder that progress is never guaranteed—and that our values must be defended. Victories are fragile.
Yes, and that’s why raising this flag matters. It’s more than just a symbol—it’s a stand. It’s an act of solidarity and a promise that at Palomar College, we won’t back down. We’ll stand together, speak up, and protect one another—especially those who are most at risk.
We will not tolerate hate. We will not stay silent. Victories are fragile but our resolve is strong and we choose pride.
Elegimos el Orgullo porque representa más que una celebración: representa la valentía de vivir con autenticidad, la resistencia frente a la discriminación, y la esperanza de un futuro más justo. En Palomar College, nos comprometemos a ser un espacio donde todas las personas—sin importar su identidad de género o su orientación sexual—puedan aprender, crecer y prosperar con dignidad y respeto. El orgullo vive aquí, no sólo en junio, sino todos los días.
At Palomar, we’re working every day to make sure our policies, our classrooms, and our campus culture reflect our deep commitment to equity and belonging. But we know that real inclusion doesn’t happen in one event—it happens in our everyday choices, in how we show up, and in how we care for each other.
So today, as we raise this flag, let’s raise our voices too. Let’s celebrate the joy, the beauty, and the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. And let’s recommit to building a world where every person can live fully and freely—seen, supported, and never alone.
To every LGBTQ+ member of our Palomar community: we see you. We support you. We’re proud to stand with you.
Thank you for helping make Palomar a place where pride lives every single day.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are solely my own and do not reflect the official policy, position, or views of Palomar College, the Palomar College Board, or any other affiliated organization. All content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as representing the views of Palomar College or its governing board.
