Riverside City College Rainbow Engagement Center Connects Students With Legal Name and Gender Marker Resources

Riverside City College’s Rainbow Engagement Center welcomed more than 20 participants to a recent Legal Name and Gender Marker Workshop designed to help students better understand the legal process and connect with community-based resources for additional support.

Lorenzo “L” Orozco Jr., staff attorney and pro bono coordinator for the LGBTQ+ Services Program at Inland Counties Legal Services, led the workshop, providing participants with a step-by-step overview of the legal name and gender marker change process and information about how individuals can access assistance through ICLS.

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with respondents highlighting the value of receiving clear information about the legal process, understanding the steps involved in changing a name or gender marker, and learning where to turn for additional assistance.

The workshop was spearheaded by Valentin Zuniga-Contreras, cashier/clerk in RCC’s Auxiliary Business Services, who recognized a need to make these resources more accessible to students and helped bring the program to campus.

“Creating opportunities for students to access information and resources that directly support their needs is an important part of building a campus where students feel connected and supported,” said Manny Gray of the Rainbow Engagement Center. “We are grateful to Valentin for recognizing this need and to Inland Counties Legal Services for sharing their expertise with our students.”

Following the success of the workshop, the Rainbow Engagement Center plans to continue its partnership with ICLS to connect students with legal resources and expects to host another workshop during the spring semester.

Students and community members interested in learning more about the legal name and gender marker change process or connecting with Orozco and the ICLS team may contact Manny Gray at Manuel.Gray@rcc.edu.

The workshop is part of a broader lineup of Rainbow Engagement Center programming at RCC. Throughout the semester, the center provides opportunities for students to connect with resources, participate in educational and community-building programs, and strengthen connections across the college community.

About Riverside City College

Riverside City College, founded in 1916, is one of California’s oldest community colleges and is part of the Riverside Community College District. RCC provides comprehensive educational opportunities designed to support student access, success and completion while serving the diverse communities of the Inland Empire.