David Gubser recently made a $200,000 donation to the San Diego State University‘s Pride Center, which is committed to LGBT studies.
The Pride Center at SDSU is only the second of its kind in North America and the first in California. The center provides information about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, ally, and similar communities. It also offers programing and services, acting as a hub for SDSU’s LGBT community. The goal of the center is to create, sustain, and strengthen an open, inclusive and safe place on campus for all sexual and gender identities. Gubser decided to extend his gift to SDSU for exactly that reason.
“At this time, given the terrible events in Orlando, people need to become more educated about the LGBT community,” Gubser said in a News Center release. “I couldn’t think of a better way to accomplish that goal than through a gift to SDSU.”
His gift will be used to create an endowed scholarship for LGBT majors. It will also be used to expand the Pride Center’s programming. He’d like to see the programming include academic mentoring, guest speakers, health and safety training, as well as leadership conferences.
SDSU’s Dedication to LGBT
However, the Pride Center isn’t SDSU’s only commitment to its LGBT student population. In January 2012, the university created an LGBT studies program. It also offers a minor and a graduate-level certificate in LGBT studies. SDSU has also been ranked among the top 25 most-friendly LGBT universities for six consecutive years.
“Often students want to go to a space where they are connected to the community,” Christopher Lujan, the Pride Center Coordinator, said. “The Pride Center provides a space for all students to build a support system among the LGBTQ+ community at SDSU. Our services range from weekly support groups to utilization of our LGBTQ+ resources on and off campus.”