Since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the American River College campus, the college’s Pride Center staff has had to transition to an online format.

According to Alejandra Fernandez Garcia, the student personnel assistant for the Pride Center, just because the campus is closed, that doesn’t mean that the Pride Center is closed.

“Moving to an online environment has been a big transition for all of us. However, just because we are a virtual Pride Center does not mean we are closed,” Fernandez Garcia said. “This just means we have found new ways to be creative in order to engage and create community for LGBTQIA+ [folks] while navigating this pandemic and political climate.”

Fernandez Garcia says that it’s important for the Pride Center to stay open in some capacity.

“We recognize that many of us are feeling isolated during these times and that there are [folks] whose identities are not affirmed in their current home environments,” Fernandez Garcia said. “This is why it’s important to stay connected and be in community.”

Although the Pride Center on campus is closed, the center continues to deliver content virtually and through social media.

“The Pride Center team launched #TheQueerantineProject when we transitioned virtually in March of this year,” Fernandez Garcia said. “The Pride Center has been continuing to create virtual trans and queer programs and events, content for our social media platforms, and engage in social justice education and trainings.”

The center also hosts various virtual meet-ups that meet each week, according to Fernandez Garcia.

“The Pride Center also hosts a weekly meet-up called Communi-Tea Tuesdays, a space to hang out virtually with Pride Center staff. Pride and STEM, a student-led club, also has weekly meet-ups,” Fernandez Garcia said.

Fernandez Garcia says that there are many ways to stay up to date on what the Pride Center is doing, including making an appointment with Anita Fortman, a Pride academic counselor. Students can also connect with Fernandez Garcia by email.

“Stay up to date with the Pride Center by following us on social media, @arcpridecenter, or signing up for our mailing list,” Fernandez Garcia said.