Sept. 29, 2006 — 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 2006 lectures, activities and performances, running from Oct. 8 through 25.
“This year’s programming is centered on the theme ‘Reaching Out”, which explores aspects of reaching out to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and heterosexual communities at the University of Utah. We believe these events will break down barriers and misconceptions that surround gay existence,” notes Charles Milne, coordinator of the LGBT Resource Center.
PRIDE 2006 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 (ASUU) 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 benefit performance of “Confessions of a Mormon Boy,” Oct. 8, at 2 p.m., at the Rose Wagner Black Box Theater. Tickets may be purchased at the U of U LGBT Resource Center, located in the University of Utah Union Building, room 409, or by phone at 587-7973. Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for the general public. All proceeds will benefit the U’s LGBT Resource Center.
On Oct. 9 and 10, “Chronicles of You and Me” will be presented by performing arts students at the U’s Marriott Center for Dance, Studio 240, located at 330 S. 1500 East, on the University of Utah campus. All of the performing arts pieces will be centered on themes of sexuality and gender. Tickets are $5 at the door.
On Oct. 9, the Lesbian Gay Student Union will be sponsoring a discussion entitled “Exploring the Relationship between Gay and Civil Rights,” in the University Union’s Parlor B, at 7:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend the discussion.
On Oct. 11, National Coming Out Day, a keynote lecture will be provided by Esera Tuaolo, at 3 p.m., in the Utah Museum of Fine Arts Auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public. Tuaolo is a former NFL linebacker, singer and recent author of “Alone in the Trenches.” For more information on Tuaolo, visit http://www.eseratuaolo.com/.
On Oct. 25, at 8 p.m., Fiona Apple will close the PRIDE events with a concert at the Jon M. Huntsman Center, 1825 E. South Campus Dr. (410 S.), on the U campus. This concert is presented by the ASUU Presenter’s Office and the LGBT Resource Center. Tickets for this concert will go on sale Monday, Oct. 2 @ 10 a.m. Ticket prices are as follows:
Tier 1 (floor and first part of lower bowl)
Student tickets: $16
General public: $41
Tier 2 (remaining part of lower bowl)
Student tickets: $16
General public: $33.50
Tier 3 (upper bowl)
Student tickets: $11
General public: $26
Students may purchase concert tickets at the Rice-Eccles Ticket Office, 451 S. 1400 E., Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The general public can purchase tickets over the Internet at http://www.utahtickets.com, over the phone by calling 801-581-UTIX [8849] or at the Rice-Eccles Ticket Office. General public and student tickets will only be available at the Huntsman Center on the day of the show. Doors will open at 7 p.m. The concert will begin at 8 p.m. and last until 10 p.m.
As part of the PRIDE events, the U’s LGBT Resource Center is teaming up with the Homeless Youth Resource Center of the Volunteers of America. The groups are encouraging others to “Reach Out” by donating new, extra or gently used hats, gloves and socks, between Oct. 11 and 22. These items will be used by youth drop-ins at the Homeless Youth Resource Center, in Salt Lake City, during the upcoming winter months. Milne urges the public to “help out by picking up an extra hat, pair of socks or gloves when shopping for winter.” Donations will be collected at the U LGBT Resource Center. For additional information on the Homeless Youth Resource Center, visit http://www.voaut.org/ and click on Outreach Services.
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 visit www.sa.utah.edu/lgbt.
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University of Utah Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center
200 S. Central Campus Drive, Room 409
Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
(801) 587-7973 fax: (801) 581-7119