We support the efforts of the UC Diversity Council to budget for the hiring of a LGBTQ specialist who would work as a full-time staff person to support the LGBTQ students, faculty, and staff at UC. We also want to maintain the current graduate assistant position of the LGBTQ Coordinator, which is currently the only position at the university dedicated solely to the concerns of LGBTQ students, faculty, and staff. We also advocate that the budget for LGBTQ programming should increase from its current $1,000, which is inadequate for meeting the numerous needs of this constituency. In light of the recent $4 million grant for minorities and women, we believe there is no reason to continue denying the LGBTQ community at UC adequate representation and support, and we think that creating this full-time position is only the first step of many in solving this problem and upholding UCs dedication to diversity.