Spectrum, Miami University's Queer/Straight Alliance, will hold its Awareness Week beginning April 7 and the group hopes this year's event will be better than ever.
According to senior Jason Boeckman, Spectrum's historian, Spectrum hopes that the week-long event will help the group foster awareness among Miami students.
"(Spectrum) is committed to increasing awareness and educating the campus community about sexual diversity," Boeckman said.
Boeckman also pointed out that Awareness Week is also about giving back.
"Awareness Week is an opportunity for GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) Miamians to emphasize their unique experience and also show gratitude to community members who support equality for all citizens," Boeckman said.
With last month's passing of Oxford's non-discrimination ordinance that protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the community's support for acceptance of GLBT lifestyles in uptown establishments was made apparent.
"Oxford has always been an accepting community," said city council member Doug Ross. "Spectrum has been around for a long time. It seems to have a positive influence on the community."
According to Boeckman, Awareness Week will work to sustain the progress the community has seen.
Proceeds generated from the event will be donated to Equality Ohio for its awareness efforts leading up to Ohio's November elections.
Approximately $8,500 has been raised in this year's previous shows for the YWCA Breast Cancer Fund, Caracole House and PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Gays and Lesbians) Cincinnati.
First-year Mathew Hall is planning on attending the events.
"I am excited for the whole week," Hall said. "I'm especially excited for the drag show. We get to be crazy and have fun on stage and all the proceeds go to a good cause."
Miami's Associated Student Government (ASG), Diversity Affairs Council, and the Miami Parents Fund provided Spectrum with financial support for its Awareness Week.
"We rely heavily on our allies to help us educate the community," said Spectrum co-adviser and interim assistant director of diversity affairs for GLBTQ Leslie Morrow.
Spectrum received $9,000 from ASG to fund the event.
"They decided to give (funding) to us because these are educational speakers and the Ally Appreciation Picnic was there to say thanks to all those that support us," said sophomore Spectrum treasurer Alex Conover. "Also, these were all a cultural experience and are open to anyone on campus that would like to attend."
The Office of Diversity Affairs also provided financial support for Spectrum.
"We are supportive of Spectrum because (we) want all students to be comfortable on this campus and because it promotes diversity," said Juanita Tate, interim senior administrative director of the office of diversity affairs.
Lynne Bowman, executive director of Equality Ohio, will speak on diversity rights in Ohio at 8 p.m. Monday, April 7, as well as offer her views on GLBT issues in the upcoming 2008 presidential election.
According to their Web site, Equality Ohio is a non-partisan organization committed to ensuring equal treatment of GLBT Ohioans in all settings.
There will be an ally picnic beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, catered by Carillon Catering for all interested students, faculty, staff and community members. According to Boeckman, the picnic is intended to show appreciation for Miami's community of allies who advocate for the inclusion and acceptance of GLBT individuals.
God-Des and She, a popular Brooklyn-based hip-hop group, will then entertain Miami students with a concert at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 9. The lesbian duo tours nationwide and has been featured on Showtime's hit series, "The L Word."
At 8 p.m. Thursday, slam poet Staceyann Chin, will perform her one-woman spoken word show.
The week will end with Friday's drag show in uptown Oxford at Balcony Bar at 11 p.m. Student performers and local talent will be part of the show.
