Colorado State stands with Orlando

GLTBQ2A Resource Center Program Coordinator Anthony Kim and Director Aaric Guerriero hold the first two posters signed by members of the Ram Family in support of those affected by the mass shooting in Orlando on June 12. Guerriero will deliver all the posters to the LGBT Center of Central Florida when he meets with the executive director in July. Photo by John Eisele, CSU Photography.

In the aftermath of the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, the staff of Colorado State’s Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Queer Questioning and Ally (GLBTQ2A) Resource Center has been collecting messages of support. The university’s FastPrint center has donated printing services for as many rainbow posters as the center needs to hold the signatures of members of the Ram Family who stand with Orlando.

“The first one was delivered on Tuesday, and we needed another one by Friday,” said Aaric Guerriero, director of the GLBTQ2A Center, part of CSU’s Student Diversity Programs and Services. “We went to PrideFest in Denver on Sunday and filled up another four.”

At PrideFest, Guerriero and Program Coordinator Anthony Kim spoke to more than 600 CSU alumni and incoming, transfer and potential students, and their families. “So many people thanked us for being there,” Guerriero said. “Our presence was definitely appreciated, and we are so grateful to FastPrint and the whole university for their support.”

Posters are available for signatures and messages at the center in Room 232 on the main floor of the Lory Student Center through July 1. On July 4, Guerriero will take them all to Orlando to deliver to the LGBT Center of Central Florida, where he is scheduled to meet with the executive director to discuss how the two organizations can work together to create opportunities and share resources.

The center is open all summer, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., and can be reached at 970-491-4341. Guerriero said one of his goals before classes start in August is to create a space for faculty and staff who identify as members of the LGBT community to come together and process their experiences.

The center’s website also contains links to other campus and community resources for anyone who wants to help.

Read CSU President Tony Frank’s message to campus about Orlando here.