USC News

USC a Top Campus for LGBT Students

07/01/08
University’s commitment to diversity is commended via four proclamations bestowed by L.A. officials.
By Suzanne Wu
Council member Bernard Parks; Vincent Vigil, director, USC LGBT Resource Center; and Vince Wong, president, USC Lambda Gay and Lesbian Alumni Association at the Los Angeles City LGBT Pride Heritage Month Celebration.

Photo/Lorena Sanchez
The City of Los Angeles honored USC for its leadership and commitment to programs serving gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students June 27.

The four proclamations – commending the USC LGBT Resource Center, the USC Lambda Gay and Lesbian Alumni Association, the GLBT Student Assembly and the Trojan Family as a whole – are the latest in a string of recognitions for the USC LGBT and Ally community.

In the most recent Advocate College Guide ranking of the “Top 20 Best of the Best Campuses for LGBT Students,” USC tied for the highest score nationwide.

USC also received a “five-star” rating (highest possible) by the Campus Climate Index and was named a “diversity leader” by the Gender Public Advocacy Coalition for its inclusive non-discrimination policy.

“This honor is particularly meaningful to us because it comes from our own community: the City of Los Angeles,” said Vincent E. Vigil, director of USC’s LGBT Resource Center. “The city’s recognition commemorates the hard work and dedication of the entire LGBT and Ally community. It reinforces what we already knew – that USC is a special place.”

USC offers many signature programs for LGBT students, such as a mentorship program pairing USC students with high school Gay/Straight Alliances in the Los Angeles-area and the nation’s only overnight orientation program for prospective LGBT students.

The USC LGBT Resource Center also sponsors more than 100 on-campus public events each year.

City Council members Bernard Parks and Bill Rosendahl presented Vigil and USC Lambda Gay and Lesbian Alumni Association president Vince Wong with the proclamations at the Los Angeles City LGBT Pride Heritage Month Celebration held in City Hall.

“We are truly honored and touched to receive this recognition of our accomplishments as members of the Trojan Family,” said Wong, who noted that USC Lambda is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.

“We are very fortunate to be a part of a university community like USC that cares about our well-being and supports our continued growth,” he added.