The fourth annual Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Awareness Week will help educate the New Mexico State University community about diversity issues through various events April 15-19.
"We want to create awareness on campus about GLBTQ issues," said Sharna Horn, coordinator for the Sexual and Gender Diversity Resource Center at NMSU. "We also want GLBTQ students to know there is place for them to go to on campus."
The NMSU series of events celebrating the GLBTQ community include guest performers, food and dances, and more. All events during celebration will be free and open to the NMSU community.
GLBTQ Awareness Week will kick off with two events. First will be the "Festival of Colors," a social and informative event involving the GLBTQ community, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 15 at the Corbett Outdoor Stage. "If these Walls Could Talk 2", a movie about lesbian couples in different decades, will be shown from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Milton Hall Digital Movie Theater.
Transgender comedian, Ian Harvie, who does comedy shows to discuss sexuality and gender, will perform from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on April 16 at the Corbett Center Auditorium.
Nate Phelps, author, LGBT rights activist and son of Westboro Baptist church leader Fred Phelps. He will share his life experiences and the importance of acceptance from 7-8:30 p.m. on April 17 at the Corbett Center Ballrooms.
Safe Zone Training will address the unique experiences of GLBTQ people to create more visibility and understanding on campus. The training will take place from 2-3:30 p.m. on April 18 in Milton Hall room 50.
Drag Show, featuring performers from New Mexico will take place at 7:30 p.m. on April 18 at the Corbett Center Ballrooms. There will be free refreshments at the event and seating is limited.
In addition to GLBTQ Week, the Sexual and Gender Diversity Resource Center will host its 7th Lavender Graduation Dinner and Reception at 5 p.m on April 19 at the NMSU Golf Course Banquet Room.Tickets are $20 per person. Tickets will be sold until noon on April 18. To purchase tickets or to donate tickets visit shopcart.nmsu.edu/shop/sgdrc.
Ending the week is the "90s High School" themed dance, which will take place from 9 p.m. to midnight on April 19 in the Corbett Center Aggie Underground.
GLBTQ Week is sponsored by ASNMSU, the Sexual and Gender Diversity Resource Center, Sodexo, Stonewall QSA and the Wellness, Alcohol and Violence Education Program.
For more information, contact the SGDRC at 575-646-7031 or sgdrc@nmsu.edu.