Central Michigan Life

CMU will begin to celebrate Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgendered Pride Week Monday with a variety of activities.

The pride week is designed to increase diversity and awareness around the campus and community.

The week will begin Monday with a student soup and substance, focusing on the “Climate for the gays and lesbians on campus” at 12 p.m. followed by a showing of the film “Boy’s Don’t Cry,” with SAPA at 6:30 p.m.

Scout Cloud Lee from “Survivor” will speak in the Bovee University Center Rotunda at 8 p.m.  Tuesday on “The challenge of excellence.”

The activities will continue throughout the week, with each one dedicated to different issues among people with diverse backgrounds.

“Each event is important because they address different aspects of obstacles the GLBT community faces,” said Laurie Braden, associate director of programs for University Recreation.

GLBT pride week is a nationally celebrated event but is normally celebrated in the summer.

“Traditionally, June is GLBT pride month,” said Jon Humiston, assistant affirmative action officer.  “Since a majority of students are not on campus during June, we hold it in April so that we may share our celebration.”

This is not the first year of GLBT pride week. It offers students and community members the chance to join in activities and programs that celebrate the lives of people in the GLBT community.

“I think it’s a really good way to celebrate diversity. The most important part of diversity is being able to celebrate who you are,” said Jennifer Suidan, West Bloomfield junior and co-president of the Gay-Straight Alliance.

A variety of organizations, both on campus and within the community, are lending support to the pride week because of their desire to improve and value diversity in Mount Pleasant.

Emma Lockwood, Huntington Woods freshman, said students are looking forward to the events.

“I’m really excited that we’re celebrating pride in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, it’s important to be proud of who you are,” Lockwood said.

GLBT pride week will end at 7 p.m. Friday, with “Fashion through the Decades” in Carey Residential Restaurant.

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