PRIDE to educate on equality

The focus is on equality as Emporia State PRIDE week continues through Saturday.

Events will include a bowling party and a panel discussion, and are sponsored by People Respecting Individuality and Diversity in Education, a campus organization which strives to support gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and all other individuals in a positive way.

“Generally, PRIDE weeks are in the summer time, but we chose to do it around the day of silence, which is a nationally recognized day, since most students aren’t here in the summer and the campus isn’t very active,” said Lisa Overzat, junior sociology major and executive chair of PRIDE

PRIDE will host games pertaining to different issues such as safe sex, STI information, drug awareness and gender stereotypes from 7-9 p.m. tonight in Visser Hall room 330.

“I am going to participate in the events,” said Michelle Graff, junior elementary education major. “I’m really excited that they will be having a PRIDE week this year. It’s good to have activities for all students to be able to participate in and it’s a good opportunity for students to learn about different equality issues that are even affecting ESU’s campus right now.”

From 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, students will go bowling at Flint Hills Lanes at a reduced price of 6 dollars. Beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Memorial Union Greek Room, PRIDE will cosponsor a panel discussion along with the Philosophy Club, whose members will be there to help mediate the discussion. Following, there will be a short video on hate crimes and a discussion about the contents of the video.

Thursday’s activity is a panel entitled “Ask Some Mo’” and will include a gay man, lesbian, bisexual woman, and a straight supporter who helps to fight for gay rights. Students can anonymously submit questions before the panel at a table set up in the Memorial Union that week. The questions will then be submitted to the panel for comment and discussion.

Friday, participants will observe a day of silence in order to protest the discrimination of gays in schools. This year, the event is being held in memory of a 15-year-old who was shot in California for being gay. Later that night there will be a ceremony to commemorate the day, the exact time of which is yet to be announced.

“Part of going to college is to broaden your experience and to learn about different people,” said Brittany Zirkle, junior bio-chemistry major. “This is a great opportunity to be educated and make a difference. Stereotypes are not everyone and you should broaden your spectrum because not everyone fits those stereotypes.”

In conclusion of PRIDE week, there will be a celebration including food, music and karaoke from 7-10 p.m. Saturday in Wilson Park next to the Towers Complex.