Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center, 1220 W. Belmont, is hosting a forum on the death penalty April 13 from 7:30-9 p.m. Scheduled guests are Gary Gauger, a former death row inmate who was wrongfully convicted and subsequently exonerated, and Jane Bohman, executive director of the Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. For more info, contact P. Marie O'Brien at ( 773 ) 472-7663 or e-mail mobrien@thousandwaves.org .
As part of Columbia College's Spring Poetry Series, poet Robin Becker will read from her work at the college April 20 in Hokin Hall, 623 S. Wabash, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Call ( 312 ) 344-8138 for more information.
Helen Hill, a male-to-female transsexual, will present 'The Challenge of Being' at Hokin Hall, 623 S. Wabash, Columbia College, April 6, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. For more information, call ( 312 ) 34-8594.
The Chicago Spring Formal, which will feature queer art and music, will take place April 7, at High School Space, 1542 N. Milwaukee, 8 p.m.-12 a.m. The suggested donation is $5. For information, visit www.tsurechka.com, e-mail ouchpapercut@gmail.com, or call ( 773 ) 799-5027.
GLSEN Chicago is sponsoring the Day of Silence/Night of Noise April 13 to raise awareness about the silencing of LGBTQ voices across the nation. The nighttime rally will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the State of Illinois Building, 100 W. Randolph. The organization is also celebrating the 2005 Safe School and Youth Scholarship Awards May 17 at William Jones High School, 606 S. State, 6-9 p.m. The application deadline is April 18; see www.glsenchicago.org/scholarship.html .