Pride Week set for May 29-June 2

Third annual Pride Week activities set for May 29-June 2

News contact: Laura Hancock | University Advancement
541-962-3585 | lhancock@eou.edu

Source contact: Megan Baker | President, EOU Gay-Straight Alliance
eougsa@gmail.com

May 23, 2012
LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) – Members of the Gay-Straight Alliance student organization at EOU are busy preparing for the third annual Pride Week May 29-June 2.

“Pride Week is meant to be a celebration of, and education about, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-identified individuals, and both the history of discrimination and also positive identity formation that goes along with that,” said Christy Oliveri, adviser to the Gay-Straight Alliance. “We have a wide variety of activities planned and hope to see faculty, staff, students, and community members at the events!”

A SAFE ZONE training session will be part of the week, when university employees and students will have an opportunity to become certified allies to the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) community on campus.

The training is scheduled for 2:30-5 p.m. Tuesday, May 29 in the Hoke Union Building, Room 201-202. Registration is limited to 30 participants. Register by e-mailing Oliveri at coliveri@eou.edu.

On Wednesday, May 30 the documentary film “Fagbug” will be shown at 7 p.m. in Huber Auditorium in Badgley Hall with refreshments provided at 6:30. Admission is free and the audience is invited to participate in a discussion afterwards with Thacher Carter, director of EOU’s Counseling Center.

A banner decorating party is planned for Thursday, May 31 in anticipation of the Pride March. Meet from 3-5 p.m. in the Hoke Main Lounge to decorate banners, signs and T-shirts. Materials for banners will be provided.

The hour-long Pride March itself takes place at 3 p.m. Friday, June 1 at Max Square in downtown La Grande. Participants will march from there to the EOU campus quad where Rebecca Hartman, associate professor of history, will speak.

Pride Week concludes with a Rainbow Revolution Prom night from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Saturday, June 2 in the Hoke Main Lounge. Admission is $6 per person or $10 for couples. Tickets are available at the EOU Bookstore.

For more information about Pride Week, e-mail the GSA at eougsa@gmail.com, or contact Oliveri at 541-962-3090.