Sexual Diversity Week to host old and new events

This week is Spectrum's annual Sexual Diversity Awareness Week, a week of events aimed at educating the student body about gay, lesbian, and transgender lifestyles and social issues. The week began yesterday and continues all week with both traditional events held every year and new ones.

It began yesterday with the "Same Sex Parenting Panel" and continues today with a documentary. On Wednesday, Spectrum's keynote speaker, Chandler Burr, will be speaking on "The Discovery of the Gay Gene and Its Social Consequences."

On Thursday, Spectrum sponsors its annual "Being Gay in Non Gay Places," a discussion with homosexual students and administration Loyola.

Monday's "Same Sex Parenting Panel" was a new event in this year's Sexual Diversity Awareness Week. The panel featured three sets of homosexual couples who have raised a child, as well as children of same sex parents..

The goal is to create a dialogue between the Loyola community and the panel members. Panel members talked about their lifestyle choices, their personal experiences in homosexual households and the difficulties they faced.

Today, Spectrum will be showing the documentary "Living with Pride: Ruth Ellis @ 100." This documentary recounts the life of Ruth Ellis, a black lesbian social activist who turned 100 in 2001. The documentary will be shown at in Knott Hall B01 at 7:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, Spectrum presents its keynote speaker, Chandler Burr, a social commentator and genetic researcher. With his partner Dean Hamer, he has researched gay twins and possibly discovered a gene that influences sexual orientation. This presentation will focus on the nature vs. nurture debate, the biology of homosexuality and its political/social implications. This event will be on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.in McGuire Hall. Tickets are free but required and will be available at the ticket office next week.

"Topics change each year and right now, it's biology -- You wouldn't have had these topics six years ago," said Josh Ferri, a junior and President of Spectrum.

"Homosexuality is valid in many senses and has an educational basis. It's not only prevalent in the media," said Alison Koentje, a junior and vice president of Spectrum.

"Being Gay in Non Gay Places" IV is a panel discussion with Loyola students and administration. In the past, this event has been very successful. Sean Down, Paul Cubita, John Oghia, and Cynthia Rodriguez will talk about their experience at Loyola. Questions such as "What was it like coming out?" and "How supportive was the college community?" are welcome. This event will be March 29 at 7:30 in Knott Hall B01.

The week ends with the Spectrum retreat at the Rising Phoenix Center. Anyone can participate and is encouraged to sign up in CCSJ. The retreat leaders will show the movie, "Latter Days" on Friday afternoon. Discussion topics include reconciling religion and homosexuality, "coming out" and the role of GLBT allies.

"Now, there's more of an apathetic attitude. People consider themselves allies, but don't care one way or the other -- It's understanding that it's a different lifestyle, but it's just as valid as any other," said Mike Campitelli, a junior and Spectrum's director of Public Relations.