In the rural vicinity of Siskiyou County, where California intersects with Oregon, the local community college is concealing its LGBTQ+ center from public view, leaving queer students feeling apprehensive about their safety. Ty Speck, affectionately known as “Mama Ty” among students and acting as the advisor to the LGBTQ+ club at the College of the Siskiyous, revealed that the conservative nature of the county prompts many students to hide their sexual orientation from their families, heightening their vulnerability. Consequently, the group of three students decided to hold their meetings at undisclosed locations on a rotating basis. California may be hailed for its progressiveness, but community college leaders in rural areas and small towns scattered across the Central Coast, Central Valley, and Far North refute the assumption that the state is a safe space for queer individuals. A report released by CalMatters last year, following a state grant of $10 million specifically aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ students in community colleges, revealed that despite the expressed support from college administrators throughout the state, setbacks persist. The funds, averaging less than $100,000 per college over five years, were deemed insufficient by colleges to hire staff or establish an LGBTQ+ center on campus, even in areas with substantial demand. At the time of the report, only 30 out of California’s 115 physical community colleges had a designated LGBTQ+ area on campus. 18 colleges pledged to use the state funds to create an LGBTQ+ center, while the remaining 67 schools, including the College of the Siskiyous, directed the funds toward staff training, specialized graduation ceremonies, or mental health support for LGBTQ+ students who face a higher risk of suicide compared to their peers. The clash of cultures places LGBTQ+ students in a state of unease; Allie Harrison, a 25-year-old member of the LGBTQ+ student group at Lassen Community College, described her experience growing up in the unfamiliar territory of Lassen County, where her open bisexuality faced condemnation from the local church and resulted in her alienation from social circles. In fact, Harrison was evicted by her mother due in part to her sexual orientation, and she sought refuge by moving to San Jose with her father, where she could embrace a more accepting environment. Upon returning to Lassen for college, Harrison noted a somewhat improved atmosphere compared to a decade ago. For instance, the county established a Facebook group for LGBTQ+ residents with Harrison as its 100th member, and the group regularly convenes at a local bar. Despite this progress, Lassen County encountered its own culture wars, including a showdown over the removal of LGBTQ+ books from the children’s section of the public library and the theft of a pride flag accompanied by vandalism accusing the organization of promoting pedophilia. Similarly, the College of the Siskiyous temporarily took down its pride flag in 2019 due to a claim that it was illegal to hoist it. However, the college’s new administration subsequently acquired additional flagpoles and ensured the flag’s display each May in observance of its annual pride month. Coastal regions face similar challenges, as stated in the colleges’ report from last year. Administrators at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, just south of Pismo Beach, acknowledged that while California boasts a reputation for liberal acceptance and support of diverse communities, small cities in the region lean heavily conservative and lack a sizable LGBTQ+ population. In Watsonville, situated between Santa Cruz and Monterey, community college administrators reported multiple incidents of theft and defacement of pride flags, as well as an unwelcoming environment for LGBTQ+ students. Many LGBTQ+ students never enroll in community college due to the significant obstacles they face, such as homelessness during high school. Golden West College in Huntington Beach highlighted this issue in the report, emphasizing that the most vulnerable LGBTQ+ students find themselves homeless and struggle to pursue higher education. LGBTQ+ groups at rural community colleges often suffer from low attendance and participation due to the sparse queer population in these areas. Administrators at Lassen Community College explained to the chancellor’s office that serving a specific group necessitates a larger population, which is challenging in small rural colleges. With the assistance of the state funds, Lassen Community College initially proposed hosting a dinner banquet with a keynote speaker for the LGBTQ+ student group. However, because the group comprised merely three students, college director Jennifer Tupper decided to treat them to an exquisite dinner instead, where each student received a special pen. Additionally, the college organized a Diversity Summit involving representatives from various communities on campus. Despite the relatively small LGBTQ+ populations in rural communities across the state, support has gradually grown over the years. In Bakersfield, the LGBTQ+ community has expanded, accompanied by an increase in available services. Cecil Dexter, a transgender student at Bakersfield College, highlighted the progress in the city, noting how during the COVID-19 pandemic, they had to travel for over two hours each month to access medical professionals who could prescribe testosterone. Today, Dexter can conveniently consult medical providers in Bakersfield or their hometown of Tehachapi, which boasts a population of nearly 13,000 residents. While Bakersfield College lacks a physical space for LGBTQ+ gatherings and the LGBTQ+ student group was established just last fall, the community has witnessed successful pop-up events like the lavender prom, which attracted approximately 200 attendees, reinforcing the positive trajectory. Jacob Fraker, a consultant for the Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus, clarified that the 2021 state grant of $10 million, allocated to California’s community college system, was not intended to finance LGBTQ+ centers. Instead, the funds were meant to support smaller projects, such as hiring LGBTQ-friendly mental health professionals or assisting Dexter in organizing events in Bakersfield. Fraker stressed the urgency of establishing safe spaces on every campus for LGBTQ+ students, particularly in rural community colleges and certain California State University campuses known for their unwelcoming environments. Fraker cited the example of CSU Maritime, where female, transgender, and nonbinary students experienced rampant sexual misconduct, racism, and hostility. However, he proposed that local community college districts, rather than the state, bear the responsibility of funding these safe spaces. The proposed state budget from the Legislature this year includes an additional $10 million over three years for LGBTQ+ services, distributed among the state’s 115 community colleges, with CalBright College, an online institution, excluded from the funding. Fraker expressed confidence that the governor will approve the allocation. In the initial distribution of the 2021 funding, colleges received varying amounts based on student population and the percentage of low-income students. The College of the Siskiyous received slightly over $10,000 annually for five years, starting from 2021. However, these funds were insufficient to hire even part-time staff or establish a center, as reported by the college. Additionally, the state imposed a cap of $500,000 per district, resulting in fewer dollars per student for large urban districts with multiple colleges. This year, the 115 LGBTQ+ centers at community colleges across Los Angeles were funded…
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