SDSU Rainbow Flag Raising Ceremony 7/1/09

San Diego State University students, faculty and staff joined local politicians, business leaders and other members of the community in hosting a Rainbow Flag Raising Ceremony on campus. The rainbow flag will be displayed from the Campanile Walkway flagpole in support of SDSU’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, staff, faculty and community.

“This ceremony reinforces our commitment to come together as one community celebrating our differences,” said SDSU President Stephen L. Weber. “Our university is committed to fostering the academic development of all our students, to providing a safe and nurturing home and workplace for students and employees alike, and to encouraging respect and understanding regardless of one’s sexual or gender orientation or identity.”

According to Dr. Aaron Bruce, SDSU’s director of diversity, the rainbow flag has been a symbol of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community for 30 years. The colors of the rainbow are symbolic of both the unity and diversity of the LGBT community.

Today’s ceremony served as the official kick-off of San Diego’s LGBT Pride Month celebrations.