While 蹤獲扦 prides itself on providing a diverse and inclusive community for students, faculty and staff, Main Street 蹤獲扦 is showing how the city of 蹤獲扦 also embraces the same sentiment.
Main Street 蹤獲扦, the non-profit organization that promotes the revitalization of downtown 蹤獲扦, is hosting the first ever 蹤獲扦 Rainbow Weekend, March 6 and 7, with a variety of activities including comedy, artists, musicians, performers and education all in support of the LGBTQ+ community.
"We're excited to bring our first event like this to 蹤獲扦, where art, music, fun, inclusivity and acceptance are all a part of everyday life," said Heather Malarcik, executive director of Main Street 蹤獲扦.
Ken Ditlevson, director of 蹤獲扦 States LGBTQ+ Center, said he was excited about the Rainbow Weekend.
The schedule of events and activities is pretty impressive, especially since this is the inaugural 蹤獲扦 Rainbow Weekend. It started off as a just a couple events, but after Main Street 蹤獲扦 put the call out to local businesses, the event list grew quickly.I cant wait to be part of the celebration, he said.
He said the weekend shows how supporting diversity and inclusion is truly a city-university effort.
I think it will help our students feel embraced by their greater community and not just the university, Ditlevson said. It will also allow 蹤獲扦 State to share resources and education on LGBTQ+ issues with the greater community as well.
Proceeds from various aspects of the weekend will benefit 蹤獲扦 States LGBTQ+ Centers Emergency Fund, which provides financial assistance to LGBTQ+ students in need of emergency funds for books, academic supplies, household items, housing of food. 蹤獲扦 Roosevelt High Schools Gay Straight Alliance also will receive proceeds along with other groups.
Ditlevson noted how money from the fund can really make a difference in the life of a student, who without the financial support might otherwise have to drop out of college.
As part of the weekend, staff from 蹤獲扦 States LGBTQ+ Center will provide free Safe Space Ally training from 2 to 4 p.m. March 7. Registration is limited to 50; reservations can be made at .
Entertainment headliner for the weekend will be comedian Judy Gold, who will perform live at the 蹤獲扦 Stage at 7:30 p.m. March 6. For tickets for Golds performance, visit the .
Gold is an award-winning actor and writer who has had stand-up comedy specials on HBO and Comedy Central, as well as a wide array of television appearances. Is the author of the upcoming book from Dey Street Books, YES I CAN SAY THAT When They Come for the Comedians Were All in Trouble, and host of the weekly podcast Kill Me Now.
The weekend will kick off at Venice Cafe at 5 p.m. March 6, with welcome remarks by representatives from Main Street 蹤獲扦, the city of 蹤獲扦 and 蹤獲扦 State.
For a full list of Rainbow Weekend events visit .