This is a terrifying time for our trans community; in the past six months, over 100 pieces of anti-trans legislation have moved through legislatures across our country. As we reflect on our Pride celebrations and how far we have come as a community, I urge us to sit in the discomfort of the ways that our movement is contended by the exclusion of trans Black, Indigenous and people of color.
Our revolution for justice is rooted in the well-being of our trans Black, Indigenous and siblings of color. Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Miss Major and Stormé DeLarverie were explicitly against the exclusion of trans people, especially trans people of color, in our movement for queer rights. Our world is a more beautiful and just place because of these dynamic activists, and the many more advocates (often trans Black, Indigenous and activists of color) whose contributions go unnamed.
UCLA is founded upon the idea that, with each generation of leaders, our community and global society are a better place. It is necessary for us to protect, uplift and celebrate one another, and that begins with making sure we hold space for those most affected by the overlapping and compounding harms caused by cis-heteronormativity and racism. As Bruins, we do this naturally through our transformative leadership, intentional organizing and our collective power. May we continue to look within ourselves and our communities, calling in the deep wisdom and power of our intergenerational leadership, to address the pain and biases that perpetuate harm.
"Acknowledging other intersecting identities of LGBTQ+ Bruins and providing proper representation in different spaces is critical and helps students feel seen for their uniqueness." — Taylor Vassar
Board Member Recruitment
Please remember that Lambda exists for you — our members, our community. That being said, we have open positions on our Volunteer Board of Directors and invite your participation. Alternatively, you don’t have to be a board member to contribute. If you would like more information, please feel free to schedule a 30-minute appointment with Jade Elyssa or email us at lambda@alumni.ucla.edu.
Our organization is a microcosm of the larger UC system, of California and of our global community. We are working hard to cultivate an internal organizational culture and institutional policies where the full breadth of our community is affirmed to be their authentic self, and aspire to become an anti-racist, anti-transpohobic and anti-homophobic leader in the broader LGBTQ+ community.
We're looking to recruit new board members for the following roles:
Communications Chair
As an organization that serves a population that can be hard to reach, our media presence is central to our organization’s positioning. The ideal communications chair will develop our organization’s social media presence, stay apprised of LGBTQ+ activations on campus and communicate notable occurrences to our board and community.
Treasurer
The treasurer will provide financial information to support decision making and oversee the management of the financial affairs of the organization.
Secretary
The secretary plays a critical role in the core administration and governance of our organization. The duties of the secretary include preparing and disseminating agendas for board meetings, recording the minutes of all board meetings, ensuring all rules and bylaws of the organization are adhered to during meetings, and the implementation of board decisions and related statutory tasks.
At-Large Board Members
The at-large board member serves as a liaison to our community. Duties change as defined in organization bylaws, as needed to address overall organizational goals, and according to the individual's desired area of engagement.
UCLA – B.A., Spanish, community & culture; minor: global studies
Favorite UCLA Memory: Watching the sunrise from Powell Library after an all nighter.
Student Support Co-Chair 2021
Pronouns: He/Him/His Current Profession: Academic administrator at Harvard University and systems administrator at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Education:
UCLA – B.A., global studies
Columbia University – M.A., higher education administration
Favorite UCLA Memory: My fondest memory at UCLA is receiving the Charles E. Young Humanitarian Award on behalf of Students for Allyship and Justice through Education (SAJE). It felt phenomenal being surrounded by my chosen family, my mentors and my community. This project is charged with creating and managing an orientation module to build acceptance and empower communities — specifically, LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities across UCLA’s campus.
Lambda Alumni and LGBTQ+ Bruins in the News
Official Pride Month statement from UCLA Vice Chancellor of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and UCLA LGBTQ Campus Resource Center Director Andy Cofino
Lambda is thrilled to celebrate the graduation of seven scholarship recipients at Lavender Graduation.
Upcoming Events and Previous Event Highlights
Even in the virtual setting necessitated by the pandemic, Lambda has been busy hosting events for alumni and students. We are very excited to be back on campus in some capacity over the next few months (we are closely following UCLA's official guidelines), but will continue to also offer virtual ways for Bruins to participate no matter where they live in the world.
Upcoming Events
Summer Potluck Pool Party
When: Saturday, July 31, 2 – 6 p.m. Where: Private home of Harold Sarmiento:
10260 Calvin Ave., Northridge, Calif.
About:
Co-hosted by IvyQ, UCLA Lambda, Stanford Pride, Duke LGBT Network, Brown TBGALA, Cornell GALA, Harvard GSC, Harvard Club of Southern California, PennGALA, Cal Club of Los Angeles, UCLA Lambda, USC Lambda, the U Chicago LGBT Alumni Group and Princeton BTGALA
VACCINATED GUESTS ONLY for the safety of our community. Proof of vaccination is required.
Potluck event – bring our favorite food and drinks to share. Don’t forget to bring your sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and towels.
For questions, please contact Harold Sarmiento by email at harcsarm@ucla.edu or by phone at 310-903-9770.
When: Sunday, Aug. 29, 2 – 4 p.m. Where: Private home of Doug Aoyama in Los Feliz (address will be provided upon registration)
About:
Hosted by the UCLA Lambda Alumni Association, the annual send-off event is open to all alumni and current students as we celebrate and welcome all incoming new students and their families into the Bruin community.
UCLA Lambda Alumni hosted Pride Admit events for prospective LGBTQ+ students (one for incoming freshmen and one for incoming transfer students). Each event featured an alumni panel sharing advice and reflecting on their UCLA experience and a “goosechase” virtual scavenger hunt so students and alumni could mix and mingle.
UCLA Alumni LGBTQ+ Career Launchpad
At the beginning of the year, Lambda partnered with UCLA Alumni’s Career Engagement staff to provide the “UCLA Alumni LGBTQ+ Career Launchpad,” a series featuring trainings and guest speakers discussing various identity-based career considerations, including résumés, networking and interviews.
Watch the recordings and access resources from this event on our website.
UCLA Lambda Alumni Association was founded in 1989 by Doug Walters '90 and Corrine Lightweaver '85 and is one of the oldest and more well-established LGBTQ+ alumni organizations in the country. Led by a dedicated group of LGBTQ+ alumni volunteers, Lambda sustains a network of LGBTQ+ alumni and friends to support one another, UCLA students and the greater LGBTQ+ community.
You are receiving this email because you have attended or expressed interest in the events and programs of UCLA Lambda Alumni Association or have self-identified as a Lavender Graduation participant.
How You Can Support
Lambda's success depends on the generous philanthropic support of alumni and friends like you. Please click
here to learn more about our scholarship programs and how your contribution to Lambda makes an impact. Visit our giving site at giving.ucla.edu/lambda
.
Visit the LGBT Center
You are always welcome to visit the UCLA LGBT Resource Center to see our 4,000+ volume Rae Lee Siporin LGBT Library, our David Cohnett Cyber Center and the 1,600-square-foot home to our LGBTQ+ students at UCLA.
