New to GLBT month this year is the Lavender Lunchbox series, a week of daily presentations on gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender issues.

Dwight Welch, a SIU graduate student, began the series on Monday, with a presentation on the history of gays and lesbians in the Protestant church.

“I hope this series lets people know what some of the issues are on this campus and in the community,” said Carl Ervin, coordinator of Student Development. “It will let people know there’s research being done on campus, and also let people know that there’s information out there on different cultures.”

Advertisement

The presentations continue Tuesday with a presentation on the history of sexual orientation in psychology research by Tyrell Starks, research assistant in psychology. On Wednesday, Patrick Dilley, assistant professor of Educational Administration and Higher Education, will explore early gay and lesbian student organizations.

Ervin said non-GLBT students should take interest in the series because the valuable information that will be presented.

“(The series) is all about expanding your horizons and learning a little bit more about different people and different perspectives,” Ervin said. “College is all about learning and stretching your boundaries.”

David Rush, associate professor in Theater, will present his experiences as a teacher and playwright on Thursday. The series will conclude on Friday with an open discussion on challenges and opportunities for the GLBT community.

Ervin said students looking for something different to do on Halloween night might be interested in “Lesbian Vampires and Other Queer Portrayals in Film.” The presentation by Cade Bursell, assistant professor in Cinema and Photography, examines GLBT portrayals within alternative and mainstream cinema.

All Lavender Lunchbox presentations are at noon in the Mackinaw Room of the Student Center and are free and open to the public.

Reporter Jarel Loveless can be reached at [email protected]

Advertisement*