We Do This 'til We Free Us
Dear Pride Center Folks,
Over the last few weeks of Summer so much has been happening in our communities, it really has been hard to keep up with all the moving parts, and so many disheartening moments in our city, state and nation.
I was inspired by writer Mariame Kaba's book "We Do This 'Til We Free Us" about abolitionist organizing and transformative organizing, with its many incredible conversations and essays on how we can work together to question the state and take action towards justice.
As much as we say let our voices be heard, unite & fight, something has got to give and lately making accountability seemingly elusive during these times. I also thought about the punk rock ethos of my youth, and remembering of how we questioned and took a stance about the state of the world. I remember standing on the side of self-reliance, the integrity and authenticity to challenge the social norms and the most revolutionary of them all the act of just 'Doing-It-Yourself (DIY)' to make that actionable change through art and deep conversations. In an essay by Kaba, they have adopted the everyday mantra of "Hope is a Discipline" as a philosophy for living and I have also been inspired to do the same as my punk years have ebb and flowed as I get "older" - but definitely not gone away.
Anyhow, we are back at PCC for Fall semester - the usual happenings in the quad and classrooms - but this August the air is a little different. But as always we will hold space at the Pride Center, because we are folks who want justice, real justice and if our work today builds that pathway for tomorrow, so be it.
Welcome back Pride Center students and may we all get home safely.
Best,
Ana Bernal (they/them)
LGBTQIA+ Student Success Specialist
PCC Pride Center
| | "Everything Worthwhile Is Done with Other People." -Mariame Kaba | | Pride Center Hours @ R-422 | |
Pride Center is back for FALL 2025!
Fall: Monday - Thursday 9:00am-2:00pm
Friday 9:00am-12:00pm
Our Resource Advocates will be on staff to help with any questions or connections on campus.
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SAVE THE DATE!
Come check out what the Pride Center has in store for the 2025-2026 school year!
You'll get to meet our new staff, say hello to new and old friends, learn about what resources we can provide and enjoy fun swag, good food and dance to music and a karaoke spotlight! ๐บ๐๐ฝ
This is a great chance to celebrate our queer joy, even when the world feels scary- we are so excited to see you soon!
Date: 9/3/35
Time: 12-2:00pm
Location:R-422
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Pride Scholar Corner
This corner will be dedicated to information sharing on Queer scholarly materials, opportunities and research.
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What makes a "scholar"?
A "scholar" is someone who deeply engages with knowledge and learning, often through focused study, research, and contribution to a field of expertise.
While formal qualifications like advanced degrees and publications can be indicators, the core of being a scholar lies in a mindset of intellectual curiosity and a commitment to expanding one's understanding.
| | | | On-Campus Resources & Announcements | | Don't be intimidated by Math - EVER AGAIN! | | |
Math tutors can significantly reduce math anxiety by creating a personalized, supportive learning environment that builds confidence, breaks down complex problems, and fosters essential problem-solving skills.
Research indicates that one-on-one tutoring can not only improve performance but also alter brain circuits associated with fear and math anxiety. By focusing on incremental progress, positive reinforcement, and addressing individual learning styles, tutors help students reframe their perception of math from an impossible challenge into an achievable subject.
Check out the Math Success Center as soon as you can - so you are comfortable getting help early on in the semester.
Si se Puede! Yes, You Can!
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Tutoring will begin September 2nd!
(This includes online tutoring)
In-Person Tutoring
Fall 2025
Where: R-406
Mon-Th 9AM-7PM
F 9AM-5PM
Drop-In (no appointments). Check the schedule below for your math course.
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Mutual Aid Resources + Involvement Opportunities
All Curated By Mutual Aid LA Network
MALAN is a connector and information hub for mutual aid efforts, people and
resources across Los Angeles. Learn more by emailing info@mutualaidla.org
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Northeast Neighborhood Outreach
We build trust with community members experiencing homelessness by supplying basic needs like food, water, clothing, tents, blankets, phone chargers, hygiene kits, and harm reduction supplies. Once trust exists, we support them on their path to housing, whatever that looks like.
Contact: info@neno-la.org or IG: @neno4la
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Pasadena Black Equity Project
The Pasadena Black Equity Project is a network of resources dedicated to supporting Black residents of Pasadena, California via mutual aid and community building through storytelling and the arts.
๏ปฟContact: Pasadenabep@gmail.com or IG: @pasadenablackequityproject
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Leg Up LA
Our Mission at Leg Up LA is to aid and advocate for individuals experiencing houselessness and/or economic marginalization in the City of Los Angeles. Through need-based distributions, mobilization, the production of advocacy content, and the construction of community assistance/shelter centers, Leg Up Los Angeles aims to create a more humanistic and compassionate culture towards those experiencing houselessness, poverty, and/or hunger.
Contact: legupla@gmail.com or phone: (323) 774-9655 or IG @legupla
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Pasadena For All
We're a Pasadena mutual aid collective serving unhoused neighbors and advocating for affordable housing in the San Gabriel Valley. Since August 2020, we've provided food, water, hygiene kits, clothes, sleeping bags and more to neighbors in our parks and on our streets.
Contact: pasadenaforall@gmail.com or IG (preferred): @pasadenaforall
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FYI: The following events are recommendations, and they are not collaborations with Pasadena City College Pride Center.
We urge you to always be safe and responsible if attending any off-campus events.
| | August is Black Business Month! | | | | |
In the ongoing attempt to build solidarity and to support local businesses, we want to provide a resource list of Pasadena Black-owned businesses that we encourage you all to try!
Whether itโs a new coffee and tea shop โ๐ต or space to pick up some new clothes and accessories๐๐, we urge you to take the opportunity to support and highlight the local businesses in our community.
Check out the official list from the City of Pasadena and let us know of any places that we should check out!
Link: https://www.cityofpasadena.net/parks-and-rec/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/ListofBlackOwnedBusinesses2.pdf
| | Third Place Wellness Center | | |
Our Third Place is a Wellness Center for any youth between the ages of 15-25. Our Wellness Center is located in Glendale right of the 2 Freeway.
Youth are able to access basic needs services such as on site washer and dryer, showers, food, clothing, and hygiene items at no cost. Our center also offers supportive services such as one-on-one check inโs with our on-site mental health therapist, housing navigation guidance, and resource/case management. We have fun and creative spaces such as an art room, music recording studio, and videogame/movie hub. Our Third Place prides itself in working together with youth as a partner to achieve whole person care.
Link: https://didihirsch.org/
| | | Shaded Writers Online Creative Writing for QTIBiPoC | | |
A mix of creative prompts and mindfulness will be offered. A moment to pause, reflect and create. Cozy up in your comfy cloak/ with your comfy blankie. Bring your favorite beverage/snacks and your colored pens or your picture making equipment. Bring your pen and paper, laptop, phone - however you create.
Come ready to write/draw/doodle/journal (as you choose), free and to prompts, to and for yourself. Come to enjoy the ambience of being in community. There is no expectation you should share, though you are welcome to.
It is suitable for writers at any level and non-writers wishing to engage creatively.
It will be held as a gentle space of invitation and relaxation and finding your own level of participation, no judgement, no pressure. There is no obligation to put your camera or audio on. It is held as safe(r) space and will not be recorded.
Accessibility:
- AI powered auto captioning on (relatively efficient)
- Full transcript accessible for the duration of the event;
- Detailed Workshop material offered in multiple formats - read aloud/ screenshared/ downloadable handout/ chat box;
- Chat can be saved;
- Comfort Break/s.
- Let us know if you have any other accessibility needs.
AUGUST DATE:
August 27, 10:00 AM
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shaded-writers-online-creative-writing-for-qtibipoc-tickets-1371177501819?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1
| | | "In Other Worldly Queer News" | | | |
Caribbean LGBTQ+ activists celebrate as court strikes down colonial-era laws.
During these times it is important to find moments of joy that give us hope. Thus, here are some great highlights happening around the world to spread the joy and resistance of our community still making efforts in championing LGBTQIA2S+ rights. in the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia the Supreme Court of the country stuck down a law that prohibited same sex relations. This law has existed since colonial times. This was due to the activism Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equity. Which has also been successful in other Caribbean countries.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/01/caribbean-lgbtq-activists-celebrate-as-court-strikes-down-colonial-era-laws
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Cuba Will Now Allow Trans People to Change Gender Markers Without Bottom Surgery
In more moments of joy for our Trans brothers and sisters around the world, Cuba will now allow for trans individuals to be able to change their gender markers in government documents without needing to show proof of bottom surgery being completed. Which historically has been hard for trans individuals to access the medical services due to US embargo. (Riedel, S. (2025, July 22). Cuba Will Now Allow Trans People to Change Gender Markers Without Bottom Surgery.
https://www.them.us/story/cuba-gender-recognition-surgical-requirement
| | | โIt takes great deal of courage to see the world in all its tainted glory, and still to love it.โ โ Oscar Wilde, An Ideal Husband | |
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SIGH. August is heating up and we are still in cool summer mode.
Anyhow, We look forward to seeing y'all back on campus and getting back into the groove of Fall 2025. We will see y'all students trekking across the PCC walkways and hallways, right into the Pride Center.
Peace!
~Pride Center Team~
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