Given the times we live in, when expressions of diversity are under attack, Hostos Community College remains steadfast in providing safe spaces for our diverse student population. This commitment was on full display yesterday during the Hostos LGBTQIA+ Council's inaugural "Celebrate Love: Pride + Valentine's Prom," a night filled with joy, community, and unapologetic self-expression.
The occasion was a vibrant celebration of love and inclusion in the Hostos Cafeteria. Coordinated by academic advisor Rachel Cholst, Ashante Diggs (Early College Initiative), Travaras Geter (College Now), Joey Snavely (CUNY Explorers), and professor AJ Stachelek, the event brought together faculty, staff, students, alumni, and guests for an unforgettable evening.
Students dressed up in their best attire.
The evening was an opportunity for unapologetic self-expression.
“Hostos students are so busy with classes and their other responsibilities. We wanted to create a space on campus for students to put those responsibilities aside for a little while and to provide a warm, welcoming space,” said Cholst. “Even in 2025, not all students can show up as themselves at their high school proms or feel safe coming with their dates. Or, perhaps they weren't out in high school, so these events provide a haven of self-expression.”
Everyone had a chance to do fabulous poses at the fringe door entrance.
The cafeteria, transformed into a colorful oasis with the help of Hostos LGBTQIA+ Council interns Anthony Sanchez and Kiara Santos Narvaez, shimmered with rainbow hues as music from DJ Kidd Swag blasted through the room, inviting attendees to the dance floor. Students dressed in dazzling outfits — from suits and gowns to creative and expressive ensembles — celebrated their identities without fear or inhibition.
Hostos students brought their special guests or significant others to enjoy the celebration.
In addition to dancing and enjoying a delicious catered meal, attendees engaged with valuable resources at the LGBTQIA+ Resource Fair. Several organizations offered information and support tailored for LGBTQIA+ students, including advocacy for LGBTQIA+ rights, access to mental health services, and opportunities for community engagement.
(L-R) Ashley Walker and Josiah Davis are co-presidents of the Hostos Rainbow Club.
The event was a powerful reminder of Hostos’ mission to foster an inclusive, welcoming environment where students of all backgrounds can thrive. As expressions of diversity face challenges nationwide, Hostos remains a beacon of acceptance and pride in the Bronx.
Students connected with important community resources.
Dr. AJ Stachelek (far right) with health educators who visited Hostos to share resources with students.
“It is important to have a lighter event like Pride Prom to remind students that, at Hostos, we welcome and celebrate all of who they are — and the joy that comes with that,” concluded Cholst.
The Hostos LGBTQIA+ Council looks forward to continuing to uplift and celebrate the beauty of its LGBTQIA+ community. The Council and other organizations on campus will be hosting a variety of events throughout Spring 2025. They invite the community to stay tuned to events calendars in Semanario, the Hostos website, and other e-mail communications. Some of the events are:
- Zoom discussion on the current political climate with the Counseling Center and the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium. RSVP here.
- Trans Day of Visibility Pizza Party at the A-Atrium on March 3. The event will feature a step-and-shoot, giving students the chance to show off their outfits and celebrate their individuality.
- Safe Zone Training will take place later in Spring 2025. It will help students, faculty, and staff learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community and become stronger allies.
- “Ask Before You Act: Dealing with the Yeses and No’s of Consent & Rejection” workshop in May with Mukami Gatumo from the NYC Department of Health. This Lunch & Learn event will be open to all students, faculty, and staff.
- The Council also invites everyone to watch for the return of the Rainbow Hostos Club, led by students Ashley Walker and Josiah Davis. The club will host movie nights, discussions, and more.
The Student Government Association handed out Valentine’s Day candy bags to attendees.
Alumnus Orlando Soto participated in the prom.
The Pride Prom was co-sponsored by SGA, with tabling from the LGBT Center and Mount Sinai's YASS! Program to share LGBTQIA+ support and sexual health services. Funding was provided by the New York City Council, with additional support from the Conference Center and its Manager, Kelsey Schmitz.
About Eugenio María de Hostos Community College
Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change that has been transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities for over half a century. Since 1968, Hostos has been a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, as well as a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs.
Hostos offers 28 associate degree programs and one certificate program that facilitate secure transfer to The City University of New York’s (CUNY) four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. A two-time Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence finalist, the College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos also boasts both men's and women's basketball teams, which have won multiple CUNY Athletic Conference and National Junior College Athletic Association championships, with the women's team making history in 2024 as the only team ever to secure seven consecutive titles in CUNY’s history. The College is part of CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 500,000 students at 25 colleges.
Hostos lit up with joy, love, and self-expression during the inaugural "Celebrate Love: Pride + Valentine's Prom," hosted by the Hostos LGBTQIA+ Council. It was an unforgettable evening where students, alumni, faculty, and staff gathered to honor inclusion and celebrate love in all its forms.
Coordinated by Rachel Cholst (Academic Advisor), Ashante Diggs (Early College Initiative), Travaras Geter (College Now), Joey Snavely (CUNY Explorers), and Dr. AJ Stachelek (Professor), the prom provided a space where students could embrace their true selves — some for the first time. As Cholst shared, “Even in 2025, not all students can show up as themselves at their high school proms or feel safe coming with their dates. These events provide a haven of self-expression.”
The cafeteria, transformed into a shimmering rainbow oasis by LGBTQIA+ Council interns Anthony Sanchez and Kiara Santos Narvaez, set the scene for an evening filled with joy. DJ Kidd Swag kept the energy high as students hit the dance floor in dazzling outfits, celebrating their identities without fear or inhibition.
Students also connected with vital resources at the LGBTQIA+ Resource Fair, exploring opportunities for advocacy, mental health support, and community engagement. Ashley Walker and Josiah Davis, co-presidents of the Hostos Rainbow Club, proudly represented the spirit of student leadership.
As Cholst concluded, “It is important to have a lighter event like Pride Prom to remind students that, at Hostos, we welcome and celebrate all of who they are — and the joy that comes with that.”
Hostos remains a beacon of acceptance and pride in the Bronx, steadfast in its mission to uplift and celebrate the beauty of its LGBTQIA+ community.
Please follow @hostos_lgbt to stay informed about upcoming activities this Spring 2025.
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