Photos and additional reporting by Cristina Espinosa and David Ajtun
June is a special time at CSUN, as the campus comes together to celebrate Pride Month — honoring identity, sharing stories and uplifting the voices of LGBTQIA+ Matadors. Throughout the year, the Pride Center and campus partners offer supportive, vibrant spaces where students can connect, express themselves and feel at home. CSUN Newsroom spoke with Matadors from diverse backgrounds who shared how being part of the LGBTQIA+ community has shaped their CSUN journeys, and they offered messages of support and advice for others still exploring or embracing who they are.
Hosanna Merrick (she/they), 18. “I am bisexual and non-binary.”
As an incoming computer science major, Merrick is already finding a place to grow and connect. Surrounded by a circle of LGBTQIA+ friends, she shared: “A lot of my friends are members of the LGBTQ community, who understand what it’s like to not be straight or fit into the norms. They support me in the things that I’m going through and in discovering myself.”
The Pride Center at the University Student Union quickly became a second home for Merrick. “That has been my safe place, a place where I feel really safe and seen,” they said. “Everybody there has always been really nice and supportive.” Through the center, the computer science major found community, guidance and stability. Their message to other Matadors who are still exploring their identity is filled with encouragement: “Be yourself, find the people that are willing to accept you for that,” they said. “The Pride Center has helped me to really feel included.”
Corrin Cacioppo (all pronouns), 22. “I am queer and genderfluid.”
Cacioppo, who is majoring in documentary studies and minoring in queer studies, journalism and disability studies, brings a deep awareness of identity to every class conversation. “Being a queer student especially at a school that has a queer studies program, does a lot,” they said. Discussions on queer healthcare, disability and navigating identity in the workplace have felt especially meaningful when shared with other Matadors and CSUN faculty who understand, Cacioppo said. “The professors do a really good job letting students lead with their queer experience, which is really nice,” they said.
They’ve found community through friendships, classes and shared experiences. “Once you find that one person, they’re going to pull you in, whether you like it or not,” they said. “Being queer, you need support from other queer people to really feel seen and comfortable.” Their advice for other students is bold and freeing: “You’re in college right now. This is the time to explore,” they said. For Cacioppo, that exploration led to belonging. “Once you find yourself and you find your people… you’re so uplifted by the community.”
Leo Cho (he/him/they/them), 20. “I am a transgender male.”
For Cho, a senior music major with a focus on media composition, being part of the LGBTQIA+ community has added depth to campus life and academic conversations. “Being in the community has added a lot of depth to my perspective, with discussions about identity, diversity and inclusion,” they said. “I’ve been encouraged by professors, who welcomed different viewpoints and created affirming environments, allowing me to speak openly about my experiences and add to classroom discussions.”
Before coming to CSUN, Cho worried he’d have to hide parts of himself again. But during his campus tour, he found gender-inclusive housing and a vibrant Pride Center filled with events. “That made me feel like I was going to be OK,” he said. At one of those events — a clothing swap — he picked up gender-affirming clothes that he still wears. His message for students on their journey: “There’s no rush in finding a label for your identity. Just continue to be who you are and hopefully, the world can be a safer place for people just looking to exist.”
Marisa Beard (she/they), 20. “I am queer.”
When Beard arrived at CSUN to study the music industry, she brought with her a lot of questions about identity. “I spent a lot of time being confused because I went to a Catholic school,” she said. “Meeting a lot of other queer — especially older queer — people [at CSUN] helped me become more certain of myself and made me realize, yeah, this is just who I am.” What once felt isolating now feels like a shared experience — and an opportunity to build unexpected connections for the CSUN senior. “For every million queer people, there’s twice as many people that are maybe not queer and are going to accept you and will be part of your community,” they said.
To students still navigating identity, they offer gentle honesty and encouragement: “It’s OK to be wrong, there’s nothing wrong with changing your mind,” the Music Industry Studies major said. She spoke about how her own understanding has shifted over time — what once felt like a “tomboy thing” became something deeper. “I spent a long time being like, ‘Oh, I’m nonbinary’ or ‘Oh, I’m gender fluid’and then I kind of turned to, ‘I don’t really know what my gender is,’” they said. They also emphasized self-acceptance: “You don’t have to learn about who you are so you can explain it to other people. It’s to make yourself happy.”
Visit the CSUN Pride Center to learn more and get involved.
