Florida Atlantic University’s Student Government Boca Raton House of Representatives passed BRHR 2026-13, or the LGBTQIA+ Pride Month Recognition Resolution, 21-2 at its meeting last Friday.
The resolution, authored by CBAC Chair Christian “CJ” Walden, recognizes June 2026 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month to secure support for LGBTQIA+ students before the start of the new fiscal year.
Its approval comes after earlier versions containing stronger critiques of campus climate and university policy were scaled back during committee review. In addition to recognition, the measure affirms support for LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff and calls for broader institutional engagement across campus.
“After talking with some LGBTQIA+ students who felt like they weren’t being represented or supported, it is my hope that people feel seen, heard, and recognized,” said Rep. Walden.
Earlier versions of the bill reflected a more detailed and critical examination of campus climate and institutional support, much of which was later revised or removed during the committee process. Rules and Policies Chair Faisal Albaldawi stated in the Boca House’s group chat that the bill had ‘complications.’
“It has a number of issues, including FERPA Violations, Constitutional Rights violations, University Policy violations, and more from a regulatory and procedural (R&P) compliance standpoint.” Albaldawi wrote in a message to the Boca House iMessage group chat. The house member who shared the message chose to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation.
However, Rep. Walden doesn’t believe that the bill violated anything but only modified the bill and sent it back to the Committee for approval, so that the bill would pass.
“I stand by everything I originally wrote in the bill. I amended it because I wanted it to pass and wanted the LGBTQIA+ be recognized.” Rep. Walden stated
The bill revealed that there is limited course availability within the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies minor and documented incidents of hate speech on campus.
This version of the bill referenced a reported 2025 incident involving FAU’s Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter, a nonprofit organization that advocates for conservative politics on high school and university campuses, which displayed a derogatory term targeting transgender individuals on campus, which was later reported to FAU.
The original language also urged FAU administration to take more direct action to address issues, including improving campus climate, expanding academic offerings, and strengthening institutional support for LGBTQIA+ students.
The bill also includes several actions for student government and university stakeholders, including calling on student government bodies to promote Pride Month across official platforms and encouraging colleges, departments, and administrative units to do the same.
Although the bill doesn’t specify how specifically it intends to promote Pride Month, it requests that student leadership present the resolution to FAU’s Board of Trustees.
The reframed bill now has a resolution recognizing June as Pride Month and affirms support for LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff at Florida Atlantic University. It also calls for the student government to actively promote Pride Month across its platforms and encourages other university departments and organizations to do the same.
The measure directs student government marketing leadership to coordinate official Pride Month messaging and ensures the resolution is distributed to key university offices as a formal statement of support.
As the House closes out its session, the bill reflects a broader effort by student leaders to use their final legislative actions to address representation and campus climate concerns heading into the next academic year.
Emily Ives is the Political Reporter for the University Press. Email her at [email protected] for more information on this and other stories.
