By Keandre Williams-Chambers

Staff Writer

April has arrived, and with it comes the early celebration of LGBT+ pride.

The Pride Center on campus is gearing up for this month, known as “Gaypril,” with many activities planned and scheduled. Such activities include discussion groups, social events, casual movie showings and more. Feel free to visit the Pride Center located in Commons 201 for more information.

The timing could not have been more perfect. The Supreme Court has been reviewing Proposition 8; the case that would amend the constitution to restrict marriage between a man and a woman, and the Defense of Marriage Act; a federal law that restricts full marriage benefits to marriages between a man and a woman. Because of this, there is reason to at least celebrate a good degree of progress and worldwide recognition of redefining marriage.

LGBT+ refers to the community of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, and other variations. Campus Pride, a non-profit organization for student leaders and campus groups that are LGBT+ affiliated, also has ideas and events for the month of “Gaypril.” This includes web seminars (called “webinars”), competitions and available resources for consideration on the campus level. For more information on Campus Pride and their involvement in “Gaypril,” visit www.campuspride.org/6315/april-is-campus-pride-month/.

Among the events that can be expected is the National Day of Silence, a student-led event founded in 1966 to promote the creation of a safer school environment for LGBT+ youth. Students commonly show support by becoming silent for the day to symbolically represent the silencing effect of anti-LGBT+ bullying in schools. For more information on this, visit www.dayofsilence.org.

Keep an eye out on campus, because you can expect the Pride Center and supportive organizations to be present during this month of festivity.