Sexual assault awareness events slated for March, April
KALAMAZOO—"The Art of Surviving" is the theme for upcoming events at Western Michigan University that are designed to raise awareness about sexual assault.
All of the events are open to the public and take place on campus in the Multicultural Center of the Trimpe Building. Nearby parking is available in WMU lots 39 and 100.
Events
Friday, March 28
From 7 to 9 p.m., diversity consultant Kimberly Dark will present "FUNctional Relationships," a discussion about healthy relationships that will include Dark's performance of "Dykeopolis." It is being presented by the WMU Office of Lesbian Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Student Services and the Queer Women's Community of the Kalamazoo Gay Lesbian Resource Center.
Friday, April 4
Starting at 6 p.m., there will be a Take Back the Night talent show and rally. Participants will stand together to speak up about sexual assault and "take back the night" with guest speakers, a rally and a speak-out session. Refreshments will be served.
The talent show will be from 6 to 7 p.m. and the rally will be from 7 to 9 p.m. The evening is being sponsored by Fighting Ignorance and Rape Through Education, a peer-education program in the Office of Health Promotion and Education of WMU's Sindecuse Health Center. FIRE peer educators offer support at FIRE Place, a Sindecuse resource center that addresses issues of sexual assault and other bias incidents.
Friday, April 11
At 6 p.m., the WMU student group First-Year Pride Alliance will present "Illuminate Love." This program will give students a chance to come together to celebrate with an evening of spoken word performances, refreshments, local speakers and a dance.
Additional information
For more information about those and other events taking place in Kalamazoo, visit the FIRE Place Web page.
Questions about the events may be directed to Amber Mosley, WMU sexual assault prevention education coordinator, at shc-firepeered@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2990 or to Jennifer Hsu, coordinator of the WMU Office of LBGT Student Services, at lbgt-info@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2133.