LBGT students and allies gathering for fall eventSept. 9, 2010 KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University is collaborating with several local organizations to hold a supportive and informative fall gathering this Saturday. The second annual Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender and Ally Fall Welcome Picnic will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center, 629 Pioneer St. The event will include free food, games, prizes and live music. Those planning to attend are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and their pets. In addition to the resource center, the picnic is being sponsored by WMU's Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Student Services; Community AIDS Resource and Education Services; Kalamazoo Alliance for Equality; Kalamazoo GLBT Professionals Network; FIRE Historical and Cultural Collaborative; Phoenix Community Church; and a social group for gay and bisexual men called Project(!). According to the co-sponsors, events such as the annual picnic are necessary to maintain a supportive and united LGBT community, which is still dealing with hate crimes, youth homelessness and suicide, gay men of color being disproportionately affected by HIV, marriage inequality, and disparies in civil rights for transgender people. In addition, the picnic also is a resource fair. Sarah Stangl, coordinator for WMU's LBGT Student Services, says the event will help students learn about the resources available to them on and off campus. For more information about the fall picnic, contact Jan de la Torre at jdelatorre@caresSWM.org or (269) 929-8360. For more information about LBGT Student Services, visit wmich.edu/lbgt or call (269) 387-2123. Media contact: Jeanne Baron, (269) 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu WMU News |
