News Release

Sept. 25, 2006

Boise State University Recognizes LGBT Diversity Week with Series of Events

Boise State University will celebrate LGBT (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender) Diversity Week with a series of events from Oct. 9-13. Diversity Week events are sponsored by the Boise State chapter of BGLAD (Bisexuals, Gays, Lesbians and Allies for Diversity), as well as the Boise State University Cultural Center, the Associated Students of Boise State University, Wal-Mart, the Pleasure Boutique, the Boise Co-op, the Lucky Dog Tavern and the Cat Doctor.

Events, which are free and open to the public, include:

• Opening event. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 9, Student Union Brava! Stage. LGBT artists including Julie Loyd, Kritik, Rebecca Scott and more.

• Gay History of Idaho. 2:30-4 p.m. Oct. 9, Student Union Barnwell Room. Alan Virta of Albertsons Library will take participants on a historical tour of Idaho’s gay scene.

• Idaho Votes No Campaign Update and Information Workshop. 4-5 p.m. Oct. 9, Student Union Barnwell Room. Learn about the marriage amendment that will appear on the November ballot and what it means for Idahoans.

• Marriage Amendment Debate. 6-8 p.m. Oct. 9, Student Union Barnwell Room. A two-hour debate covering the political, religious and educational aspects of the marriage amendment. This event will feature a moderated debate between two- and three-member teams of experts; questions also will be taken from the audience.

• Immigration Issues in the United States Debate. 1:40-4:30 p.m. Oct. 10, Student Union Farnsworth Room. Learn about both sides in the ongoing immigration debate.

• Diversity in the Workplace and Community Discussion Group. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 10, Student Union Farnsworth Room. What is diversity, and why are an increasing number of companies finding it valuable? Find out about the economic and social impact of diversity.

• Women’s/Lesbian Issues. 9:40-10:30 a.m. Oct. 11, Student Union Barnwell Room. Hosted by Boise State Gender Studies director and professor of history Lisa McClain. Learn about the history of lesbian issues in America and whether lesbians have more difficulty with women’s issues.

• History of Latinos in Idaho. 10:40-11:30 a.m. Oct. 11, Student Union Barnwell Room. Lecture by Boise State history professor Errol Jones. Throughout Idaho’s history, the state has been dependent on foreign workers, including Latinos. Learn about their history and contributions.

• Hate Based Crimes and the Boise Police Department’s Actions. 11:40 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 11, Student Union Barnwell Room. Presented by Detective Janet Lawler. Idaho does not have a hate crime law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Lawler will explain how hate crimes are classified, how the public can prevents them, and how the Boise Police Department investigates them.

• Heterosexism. 12:40-1:30 p.m. Oct. 11, Student Union Barnwell Room. Presented by Don and Susan Curtis. The Curtises, a heterosexual couple, will talk about how to recognize heterosexism and how to deal with it.

• Challenging the Language of Discrimination. 1:40-3:30 p.m. Oct. 11, Student Union Barnwell Room. Presented by Jeanette Ross. Learn about how customs within dominant cultures can be hateful and derogatory.

• Low-Income Housing Policy. 9:40-10:30 a.m. Oct. 12, Student Union Hatch Ballroom B. Presented by Boise State professor sociology Leslie Martin. The majority of low-income housing is filled with a diverse population, only a small number of which is made up of white families. Participants are invited to learn how the policy is made and see if they can discern a reason for the discrepancy.

• 10:40-11:30 a.m. Oct. 12, Student Union Hatch Ballroom B. Presentation to be announced.

• Homosexuality and Disabilities. 11:40 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 12, Student Union Hatch Ballroom B. Are LGBT individuals disabled? Is homosexuality a disease? Come to this presentation and find out the facts.

• LGBT Youth in Trouble. 12:40-1:30 p.m. Oct. 12, Student Union Hatch Ballroom B. Learn statistics about LGBT youth homelessness, education and abuse and how you can help.

• Values and Ethics in America. 1:40-3:30 p.m. Oct. 12, Student Union Hatch Ballroom B. Presented by Boise State philosophy professor Andrew Schoedinger. Schoedinger will discuss the decline of American values and ethics, looking at the issue from both a liberal and conservative point of view.

• Women’s Equality in Athletics. 9:40-10:30 a.m. Oct. 13, Student Union Jordan Ballroom A. Gymnastics coach Sam Sandmire will present this lecture about the difficulties women face in a heavily male dominated community and the gains that women have made.

• Immigration Issues Face by LGBT and Straight International Students. 10:40-11:30 a.m. Oct. 13, Student Union Jordan Ballroom A. Presented by Boise State education professor Claudia Peralta-Nash. It’s hard enough to be a college student, but try being from another country and a college student. Learn what international students, both straight and LGBT, go through to come to America and learn.

• The Impact of the “N” Word. 11:40 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 13, Student Union Jordan Ballroom A. Presented by Cultural Center Coordinator Ro Parker. This workshop looks at the “N” word and how it has affected society.

• Women and Men Talking Together. 1:40-2:30 p.m. Oct. 13, Student Union Jordan Ballroom A. Presented by Boise State communication professor Dawn Craner. This session will provide helpful hints on how to communicate with the opposite sex.

• MCC-Faith and LGBT. 2:40-3:30 p.m. Oct. 13, Student Union Jordan Ballroom A. Judy Cross, of the Metropolitan Community Church, will talk about the faith of the LGBT community and the Bible.

• Youth Dance. 7-11 p.m. Oct. 13, Student Union Jordan Ballroom A. BGLAD hosts a dance for the Youth Alliance for Diversity twice a year. Everyone 24 years old and younger is welcome. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be served.

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Contact: Woody Howard, BGLAD, (208) 514-8513, woody.howard@gmail.com
Media Contact: Julie Hahn, University Communications, (208) 426-5540, juliehahn@boisestate.edu 

Where you see blue, we see the largest institution of higher education in Idaho. For the ninth time in the last 10 years, Boise State University has set an all‑time state record with a fall enrollment of 18,876 students. Since 1996, Boise State’s student population has increased 25 percent.
 

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Last reviewed on Wednesday, January 03, 2007