September 20, 2005 — In conjunction with National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11, the University of Utah Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center will present a series of PRIDE 2005 lectures, activities and performances, running from Oct. 11-22.

“This year’s programming is centered on the theme ‘Breaking Through . . .’, which explores the entity of what it means to be lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender in today’s world. We believe these events will break down barriers and misconceptions that surround queer existence,” note the co-chairs of PRIDE 2005 at the University of Utah.

PRIDE 2005 activities are offered in collaboration with the University’s Offices for Diversity, Gender Studies, Housing and Residential Education, the U’s Women’s Resource Center, the Associated Students of the University of Utah’s Diversity Board, the Salt Lake Film Center, the I.J. Jeanne Wagner Jewish Community Center, the Utah AIDS Foundation and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Utah. Funding for these events has also been provided by the B.W. Bastian Foundation.

PRIDE events begin with a “Pseudo Drag Queen Dash Invitational,” Oct. 11, at noon, between the U’s Student Services Building and the Marriott Library. Dash participants, wearing high heels, will carry trays of fruit cocktail. Funds will be raised through departmental and community sponsorship of contestants. Proceeds will benefit the LGBT Resource Center. A campus map, detailing the location for this and all other PRIDE events, can be found at www.map.utah.edu.

On Oct. 15, a “Queer Spelling Bee” will be held from 6-9 p.m., in the Black Box at the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgender Community Center of Utah, 351 N. 300 W. A $5 donation at the door is encouraged and students and “queertestants” are free. Prizes will be awarded to the top three “queertestants” and refreshments will be served.

The 2003 Sundance Film “Normal” will be shown in the Ft. Douglas Post Theater, 245 Fort Douglas Blvd., at the University of Utah, on Oct. 16, at 2 p.m. That evening, a showing of “Boys Don’t Cry,” will be held from 6-8 p.m., also in the Post Theater. Both events are free and open to the public.

On Oct. 18, the Women’s Resource Center, located in room 293 of the University’s Union Building, 200 S. Central Campus Dr. (1595 E.), will host a brown bag lunch, part of a larger year-long series. Women’s Resource Center Training Coordinator Donna Hawxhurst will present “What’s Love Got to do With It? Myths and Realities of Romantic Relationships: Strategies for Creating Healthy Intimate Partnerships of all Varieties and Genders.” The event begins at noon, but guests are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early.

That evening, the “5th Annual University of Utah LGBT Resource Center PRIDE Gala Dinner” will be held at the Jewish Community Center, 2 North Medical Drive. The dinner will feature transgender activist and executive director of Gender PAC Riki Wilchins, with performing artist Sacha Sacket. Three awards, recognizing University advocates for the LGBT community, will be presented. Awards recipients this year are Donna Hawxhurst, Kristy Bartley and the Gender Studies Program. Tickets are $65 per plate or $650 per table of 10. For ticket information, contact Becky McKean at 801-581-8151 or bmckean@sa.utah.edu or Charles Milne at 801-587-7973 or cmilne@sa.utah.edu. For more information on GPAC, visit www.gpac.org.

On Oct. 19, Riki Wilchins will present “Ending Gender Stereotypes: a New Path to Full Equality,” at a lecture in the U of U Marriott Library Gould Auditorium, from 12-1 p.m. The event is free and open the public.

A panel discussion, titled “Breaking Through the Queer Entity: What it is to Be Gay,” will be held on Oct. 20 in the Orson Spencer Hall (OSH) Auditorium, from 1:30-2:45 p.m. Panelists include Emma Gross, Valerie Larabee, Kathryn Stockton, Shenika Christy, Jennifer Lee Jackson and Derick Stephensen. Diane Waryas will be moderating the event. The event is free and open to the public.

Also on Oct. 20, the documentary “License to Kill” will be shown at the Salt Lake City Main Library at 7 p.m. The film will be shown in conjunction with the YWCA’s and the Salt Lake Film Center’s Week Without Violence. This event is free and open to the public.

“Queer Comedy 101,” featuring Jerry Callum, Alan Walker and others will be held on Oct. 21, at 7 p.m., at the Rose Wagner Theater, located in downtown Salt Lake City. This event is held in collaboration with the National Gay Men’s Health Summit and the Utah AIDS Foundation. For ticket information please visit www.arttix.org.

The final event of the week will be a screening of the film “Ma Vie En Rose” (“My Life in Pink”), Oct. 22, from 1:30-3 p.m., at the Salt Lake City Main Library. The film, being sponsored by the Salt Lake Film Center, is free and open to the public.

The LGBT Resource Center at the University of Utah provides a comprehensive range of education, information and advocacy services and works to create and maintain an open, safe and supportive environment for LGBT students, staff, faculty, alumni and others in the campus community. For more information on the LGBT Resource Center at the University of Utah, call 801-587-7973 or go to www.sa.utah.edu/lgbt.