Clear your calendars for a day full of interesting speakers and events on Saturday, April 5. More than 500 people attended last year's Chicago Collegiate Pride Fest, and this year even more are expected to arrive at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St., from 3-10:30 p.m.
This year nationally known activists such as Riki Wilchins, Michelangelo Signorile, and Robyn Ochs will be speaking, and entertainers will include Amy Armstrong, Chicago Kings, Windy City Gay and Lesbian Chorus, and Dramatic Diversity Theater Company. The event is open to all, and organizers are suggesting a $10 donation.
Pride Fest is the collaboration of University of Illinois at Chicago, Columbia College Chicago, Northwestern University, Roosevelt University, University of Chicago, and the Chicago Commission on Human Relations Advisory Council on LGBT issues.
For more information, contact Patrick Finnessy at (312) 413-9862 or e-mail pkfinn@uic.edu; the Web site is at pridefest.glbc.uic.edu .
A highlight of the program will be the National Discussion with Riki Wilchins, executive director of the Gender Public Advocacy Coalition, and Michelangelo Signorile, former editor-at-large and columnist for the gay and lesbian newsmagazine The Advocate. He currently syndicates a column nationally, including in Windy City Times. Wilchins and Signorile will face-off over the changing roles of gender and sexuality in the LGBT political movement.
A new feature this year is breakout sessions intended to provide LGBT students with practical skills they can use in advancing the LGBT movement. Art as Activism will examine both artistic content and the use of art as LGBT activism. Media and Activism will provide participants with the basic skills for working with the media to achieve quality coverage of the LGBT community.
The fest will also feature a resource room with exhibits by organizations and businesses providing services to youth. Day of Silence
On April 9, GLSEN Chicago will be sponsoring the Day of Silence. Founded in 1996, the Day of Silence is a day when students, teachers, school administrators, and other supporters choose to remain silent in order to bring attention to the discrimination and oppression experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people and their allies.
Schools participating in the Day of Silence will receive the Day of Silence Action Kit, which includes t-shirts, palm cards, organizing materials, posters, fare cards, and other resources. GLSEN is also sponsoring a Night of Noise rally to break the silence at the end of the day. The rally will be held at the Thompson Center (100 W. Randolph) at 5 p.m. More than 500 participants are expected to turn out to support ending discrimination and bullying in schools.
For more information, please contact Alix Weisfeld at (773) 330-5353 or e-mail alixw@glsenchicago.org .