STUDENT LIFE by Ethan Lauren
THE RAINBOW CAFÉ A PLACE FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS
W
ith campus having its first in-per-
to make mistakes and grow.”
son classes since 2020, students
A typical meeting consists of
are looking for ways to connect with peers;
discussions, speakers, games, and other
some of these students being part of the
means of getting participants to know one
LGBTQ+ community. Many clubs, events,
another.
and resources on campus have stayed digi-
tal since transitioning at the start of COVID-
major, is a recent transfer to LBSU and has
19, and it is easier than ever to access them.
found the Café to be helpful. She says that
The Rainbow Café, one of 13
the topics every week are relatable and
spaces through the LBSU Counseling and
would recommend anybody curious to
Psychological Services, is facilitated by
attend.
Dr. Lauren Jensen, a licensed psychia-
trist. Hosted through Zoom, the Café is an
alone during this time. You can vent and
LGBTQ+ drop-in support space for those
share how you’re feeling with trustworthy
to learn or connect, with a focus on sexual,
people who understand what you are going
gender, and romantic diversity. It meets at
through.”
3:30 p.m. every Monday, barring breaks or
holidays. More information and a link to the
online meetings for students is privacy,
meeting can be found through the CAPS
as Jensen points out. For this reason, the
website under outreach on their sidebar or
school’s Multicultural Center has spaces
through Instagram
reserved during the Café’s duration, with
(@csulb.rainbowcafe).
the addition of an all-gender bathroom.
As the space tailors exclusively to
Mia Castro, a civil engineering
“It has really made me feel less
One of the potential problems with
“[It’s] for those who are questioning
the LGBTQ+ community, Jensen recom-
or exploring their identities,” Jensen says,
mends allies interested in learning more to
“and to find support in that journey, regard-
visit the Queers and Allies club on campus.
less of where it goes.”
She wants people who join to feel comfort-
able expressing themselves within a safe
one place meant to connect and help
community.
students, CAPS holds numerous other
“We’re making a space for those
services, such as other drop-in spaces,
experiences to be heard, so that’s really
therapy groups or initial consultations that
a gift where we get to learn how to create
could lead to short-term counseling.
authentic connections and where it’s okay
Illustration by Caroline Bae
Though the Rainbow Café is only
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