Like my peers, the thought of living with roommates was a bit unpleasant. But as a transgender student, the added possibility of living with people who were uninformed about my identity was nightmarish. At best, these people could be unsure yet accepting. At worst, I could face hatred, or even violence. These thoughts stayed in the back of my mind as I began to look into housing. Then the Rainbow Floor appeared.  

One way USC celebrates diversity and fosters inclusivity is through LGBTQ+ student organizations. Each group serves a unique purpose, ranging from advocacy groups to community-building organizations

Here is a brief overview of the largest LGBTQ+ student organizations available to USC undergraduates:

Every October, USC releases a calendar of events to reflect on the history and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community. The month is meant to be an opportunity for the campus community to  recognize the impact and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual communities on both the local and national level

By: Kristen Adams ‘25

October is LGBTQ+ History Month, and USC is honoring this month through a wide range of programming, events, and resources to highlight the milestones and legacy of queer history.

By: Talia Walters ‘20

Every year, USC, through a long list of student associations on campus including the Queer and Ally Student Assembly (Facebook, Instagram), puts on its own drag show with local (read: student) performers. And thus, in my determination to become more acquainted with USC’s queer communities, I decided to attend the show.

By: Paul Samaha ’17

I began this post as I embarked on the annual USC “Weekender”– a weekend-long trip where Trojans travel to the Bay Area for either the Stanford or UC Berkeley football game. This year we play Berkeley, and I’ll be staying in the heart of Downtown San Francisco: a beautiful metropolis in Northern California filled with free spirits and views of the sparkling San Francisco Bay. This same city is also where my past LGBTQ community members shed their blood, sweat, tears and in the worst case, their lives for the sake of basic human rights. Let’s dive in.