Published: Sept. 24, 2002

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center at CU-Boulder will celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Awareness Month in October with 53 events, the largest in the program's history.

Events include speakers, a film festival, panels, discussions and exhibits. All CU-Boulder events are free and open to the public.

"We have planned more programs than ever before that address the multiple layers of identity within the LGBTQ community for the entire month of October," said Bruce Smail, director of the CU-Boulder GLBT Resource Center. "We are also pleased to have Sue Rankin kick off 2002 LGBTQ Awareness Month as a keynote speaker."

Rankin, senior diversity planning analyst in the Office of the Provost for Educational Equity at Penn State University, will speak on "Queer Voices on Campus: Results of a 2001 Campus Climate Study" on Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. in Duane Physics room G1B20. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force sponsored the research study on LGBTQ students at 23 universities.

Other events include:

* "Featured Performance: Tracy Edwards in School Daze," Oct. 5, 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Old Main Chapel. The popular Denver entertainer brings her drag show to the Boulder campus.

* "Domestic Partner Benefits" presentation, Oct. 8, noon-1 p.m., University Memorial Center room 247. Robbie Martinez, employee benefits contract manager, will speak on the new policy concerning partner benefits.

* David Young, founder, Two Spirit Society, Oct. 14, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Eaton Humanities 1B50. Young has spent the past 10 years studying with spiritual leaders and healers from several indigenous communities and will present a historical perspective of the Two Spirit community.

* Dede de Percin, executive director, Colorado Anti-Violence Program, on "Intimate Partner Violence within the LGBTQ Community," Oct. 24, noon to 1:30 p.m., Dennis Small Cultural Center, UMC 457.

* Bruce Smail, director, CU-Boulder GLBT Resource Center, on "Balancing Multiple Dimensions of Identity within the LGBTQ Community," Oct. 29, noon to 1:30 p.m., UMC 215. Smail will discuss strategies for ensuring inclusion of all members of the LBGT communities at colleges and universities.

The CU-Boulder GLBT Resource Center is collaborating with several campus and community organizations on activities throughout the month, including PFLAG, Norlin Library, the Book Garden, Word is Out, Office of the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, SpeakingOUT, Boulder Pride, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Cultural Unity Center, Two Spirit Society, Bridges, Counseling and Psychological Services: A Multicultural Center, the Office of Financial Aid, Wardenburg Health Center, International Education, LGBT Studies Certificate Program, Colorado Anti-Violence Program, Victim Assistance, Interactive Theatre, and OASOS.

A complete schedule of events for LGBTQ Awareness Month can be found online at .

The CU-Boulder GLBT Resource Center is located in Willard Hall room 227 and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (303) 492-1377.