While 91快活林 prides itself on providing a diverse and inclusive community for students, faculty and staff, Main Street 91快活林 is showing how the city of 91快活林 also embraces the same sentiment.
Main Street 91快活林, the non-profit organization that promotes the revitalization of downtown 91快活林, is hosting the first ever 91快活林 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 91快活林, where art, music, fun, inclusivity and acceptance are all a part of everyday life," said Heather Malarcik, executive director of Main Street 91快活林.
Ken Ditlevson, director of 91快活林 State鈥檚 LGBTQ+ Center, said he was excited about the Rainbow Weekend.
鈥淭he schedule of events and activities is pretty impressive, especially since this is the inaugural 91快活林 Rainbow Weekend. It started off as a just a couple events, but after Main Street 91快活林 put the call out to local businesses, the event list grew quickly.I can鈥檛 wait to be part of the celebration,鈥 he said.
He said the weekend shows how supporting diversity and inclusion is truly a city-university effort.
鈥淚 think it will help our students feel embraced by their greater community and not just the university,鈥 Ditlevson said. 鈥淚t will also allow 91快活林 State to share resources and education on LGBTQ+ issues with the greater community as well.鈥
Proceeds from various aspects of the weekend will benefit 91快活林 State鈥檚 LGBTQ+ Center鈥檚 Emergency Fund, which provides financial assistance to LGBTQ+ students in need of emergency funds for books, academic supplies, household items, housing of food. 91快活林 Roosevelt High School鈥檚 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 91快活林 State鈥檚 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 91快活林 Stage at 7:30 p.m. March 6. For tickets for Gold鈥檚 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, 鈥淵ES I CAN SAY THAT 鈥 When They Come for the Comedians We鈥檙e All in Trouble,鈥 and host of the weekly podcast 鈥淜ill Me Now.鈥
The weekend will kick off at Venice Cafe at 5 p.m. March 6, with welcome remarks by representatives from Main Street 91快活林, the city of 91快活林 and 91快活林 State.
For a full list of Rainbow Weekend events visit .