Pride Week to Offer Greater Variety of Programs
April 2, 2007Print-Friendly Version
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This year’s Pride Week calendar has been announced and coordinator Ric Chollar says 2007 will feature a “greater variety of student-initiated, -organized and -led programs.”
Several programs involve advocacy, activism, and social action, such as the “Educate and Act” Teach-In on Monday, April 2; and the National Day of Silence on Wednesday, April 18th. Other programs will promote creative expression such as April 5th’s ‘Queering the Mic’ open mic evening.
Chollar is also particularly enthusiastic about two speaker/performers visiting Mason during the week of celebration. He notes that both have “challenging messages to encourage our critical thinking and expand our current paradigms.”
“Mattilda AKA Matt Bernstein Sycamore will explore notions or ‘passing’ and assimilation in ‘Nobody Passes,” Chollar describes. “Lenelle Moise brings her piece, ‘Womb-Words Thirsting,’ exploring the intersections of race, class, gender, sexuality, and politicization.” Chollar says the speakers were chosen after a great deal of research of college campuses to determine which performers have had the most positive impact.
Also emphasized this year is the “Declaration of Respect,” in which all are invited to sign in showing a commitment to respecting the diversity and rights of all. Chollar explains that this is to gain a greater perspective on the lives and rights of those within the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community, ultimately allowing the concerns of this community to be seen as inextricably tied to the human rights concerns of all people.
Pride Week 2007 welcomes all students, faculty, staff, and families to come learn and celebrate. For further information, contact Pride Week’s coordinator, Ric Chollar, or call 703-993-2702. A complete schedule is listed below.
Monday, April 2
“Educate and Act,” A Speak OUT Teach-In
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Johnson Center Dewberry Hall
Tuesday, April 3
LGBT Faculty and Staff Lunch
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
“Nobody Passes”
Author/Speaker: Mattilda aka Matt Bernstein Sycamore
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Harris Theater
Wednesday, April 4
Career/Alumni Networking Reception
6:00 – 8:00 pm, Mason Hall Atrium
Thursday, April 5
“Womb-Words Thirsting”, Performance Artist: Lenelle Moise
7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Johnson Center Dewberry Hall
Queering the Mic: Creative Expressions of Love, Passion, and Sexuality
9:00 p.m.to 11:00 p.m., Johnson Center Bistro
Friday, April 6
Safe Zone Training, Part 1 of 2
1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Prince William Campus
DRAG SHOW!
9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., Johnson Center Atrium
Saturday, April 7
5th Annual Vision Awards
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., SUB II Ballroom
Sunday, April 8
Flix with Flavor: Film Fest & Brunch
12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Potomac Heights (Basement) Multi-Purpose Room
Tuesday, April 10
Safe Zone Training
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., SUB 1, Rooms A & B
Wednesday, April 18
National Day of Silence (observed)
From wake –up until 7:00 p.m.
“Breaking the Silence” Rally/Vigil
7:00 pm, Fairfax campus North Plaza, near Clock Tower
ALL WEEK
“We Are Proud Of . . . .” Queer Awareness Campaign
Across both Fairfax and Prince William Campuses
“Declaration Of Respect”
At Each Pride Week event