Since its founding in 1956, ASI has exhibited its commitment to representing and advocating for all students at Long Beach State University. Each year, this commitment is reflected in ASI programming, services, and operated facilities – and 2018 is no different.
“Creating fun, safe spaces to recognize different groups and create conversation helps us get to know and respect different backgrounds,” said senior communications studies major and Beach Pride Programs Assistant Kysha Bloem.
Throughout the years, ASI has set apart weeks to celebrate various aspects of diversity – most notably with Queer Diversity Week, Dis/ability Empowerment Week, Respect Week, Love Your Body Week, and more. In addition to these, programming like our annual MLK celebration, Queer Prom, Drag Bingo, and similar events offer fun and inspiring avenues to engage with a number of campus communities.
The Student Recreation & Wellness Center (SRWC) has an entire department dedicated to inclusive recreation and has a variety of accessible building features and equipment. From weekly wheelchair basketball and events like the “Blind Triathlon,” this department is consistently pushing for inclusivity when it comes to wellness.
“The great thing about these programs is they exist for all students to experience,” said Aquatics and Inclusive Recreation Coordinator Michael Freeman. “They cater to those living with physical or cognitive disabilities, those from our military that go in to social inclusion to readjust, and many from the LGBTQ+ community – just to name a few – but it’s our responsibility to get perspective!”
In 2018, ASI is seeking to push the envelope further in regards to inclusivity and respect, bringing back student-favorite programs and services as well as new avenues to celebrate and affirm diversity. April 2 to 6 will be Respect Diversity Week, a collaborative effort between various campus departments to bring awareness to a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences – cultural, religious, sexual orientation, and more. And a major plus -- the week will finish with the popular Queer Prom!
And beyond all this, ASI also offers various gender-inclusive and sex-positive services provided in both the USU and SRWC. These services include:
- USU: Free menstrual hygiene products in the USU women’s and men’s restrooms
- USU: A gender-inclusive restroom on the first floor by the Beach Auditorium
- USU: Condom dispensers in men’s and women’s restrooms
- SRWC: A single-stall, gender-inclusive restroom in the SRWC main hallway and on the aquatics deck
- SRWC: Condom dispensers in men’s and women’s restrooms
And of course, in addition to the inclusive ASI programming, services and facilities already established, ASI Student Government will continue to fight for enhanced inclusivity through advocacy and support. To contact your student leaders about your ideas on inclusivity, email asi-studentgovernment@csulb.edu.
