Despite budget deficit, politicians gave another$ 10M to increase school LGBTQ+ courses this year
California’s new expenditure allocates$ 10 million to expand LGBTQ+ programs at community colleges even as the condition faces a massive budget deficit.
The 2024-2025 budget includes$ 16 billion in savings reductions to help offset a shortfall of$ 47 billion, according to a news release from the governor’s office. Legislators made a number of slashes, including$ 75 million from the California State University structure, and took cash from the condition reserve to make up for the gap in order to complete a balanced funds.
But funding for the LGBTQ+ group remained a goal, with$ 10 million budgeted for community colleges to increase such programs.
The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office sent The College Fix its 2023-24 LGBTQ+ Programs Report when contacted for remark about the budget.
The report outlines some of the way the state income will be spent, including creating LGBTQ+ facilities, adding team dedicated to these pupils, and holding purple graduations, which are unique initiation ceremonies for LGBTQ+ students.
The president’s office did not respond to The Fix‘s inquiries about how the money has been used thus far, why it thinks expanding LGBTQ+ programs is essential, or how it would react to those who claim the money should be used for more focused educational initiatives.
California social analyst Katy Grimes criticized the money, though.
In a recent email, Grimes claimed that she does n’t” see how this money will benefit students with LGBTQ programs… It sounds like a slush fund without any boundaries.” She called it” superfluous spending.” Grimes is the editor in chief of the California Globe and an author and analytical political blogger.
According to Grimes, “LGBTQ individuals appear to have more legal privileges than any other’protected’ class, which is covered by federal anti-discrimination regulations.” Instead of teaching students valuable life skills and a substantial college degree, this is encouraging and teaching identification politics and victimization.
Since 2021, the state legislature has allocated at least$ 30 million for public community colleges to start “LGBTQ+ centers, development of safe zones, learning communities, clubs, curriculum development, workshops, and other efforts”.
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Cuyamaca College in San Diego received a portion of the funding to later this year’s launch of a Queer Student Center. According to the president’s statement, the community school received$ 66, 206 to improve its LGBTQ+ applications in the 2023-2024 college season.
The center’s consultant, Kaylin Rosal, told the Times of San Diego that the facility is meant to be “relatable, inviting, and diverse for our LGBTQ individuals.”
Among other things, the facility offers free legitimate services to students who wish to transform their “name and/or gender”, according to its website.
The middle also promotes gender balanced bathrooms, and a system called Out@Cuyamaca, which students and staff may subscribe to become LGBTQ+ and immediately “allies”. Another program called Pride Scholars is designed for LGBTQ+ kids to enjoy their” success, dignity and uniqueness” and gives users access to the food closet, text help, school supplies, and other amenities.
Other schools are encouraged to use their new money for related purposes, according to the president’s statement.
The report references Project 2030, a “roadmap” of goals the chancellor’s office created for California’s 116 community colleges over the next six years.
Although LGBTQ+ students are not specifically mentioned, the project advocates for finances to be used to bolster “marginalized” students and create “equity”.
According to the Project 2030 report, the changing society necessitates a “paradigm shift,” which “acknowledges the inherent inequalities present in the existing structures, where students from marginalized communities must shoulder additional and compounding financial, administrative, and psychological burdens to access services and support.”
While more funding goes to these “equity” programs, the California State University stated in a July news release that it is facing a$ 200 million funding gap, and its 23 universities are taking “difficult cost-savings measures” to address the shortage.
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IMAGE: California Governor’s Office/Facebook
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