By Erin Furman
Myth Busters: Guess the Straight Guy. Screening of Milk, the feature film that tells of the political career of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office. Public protest of Proposition 8, the referendum in California that took away gays’ right to marry. Red Bull BBQ.
These are just a few of the initiatives put forth by the Pride Network, the prominent on-campus LGBT support network. Last semester, Christian Fuscarino recruited about five other people to coordinate the formation of the Pride Network.
“We wanted to have a place for the LGBT community at Hofstra and their allies to support each other and have fun,” said William Moriarty, a freshman French major and the Director of Outreach for the Pride Network.
Part of the group’s mission statement is to educate the community about HIV and AIDS. They offer weekly support meetings for people affected by HIV, including those living with the disease and those dealing with the diagnosis of a loved one.
Since the group’s official start this semester, the Pride Network has hosted many events pertaining to the gay community. Monthly coffeehouses provide a platform for singers, dancers, comedians and storytellers to take the stage and entertain their peers.
“Man Hunt” was a night filled with tips and guides about online dating. Free film screenings included “MILK” and “Pedro,” the documentary produced by MTV and Planned Parenthood about Pedro Zamora of the third season of Real World who was afflicted with AIDS. The screening of “Pedro” was co-sponsored by the Progressive Students Union, the African People’s Organization and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
The Pride Network is happy to work with any willing club on campus to produce successful events and has a long list of previous co-sponsors.
The last week of March marked the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s events included a keynote speaker, a screening of the movie “Brother,” a mixer, and a community service project. “Brother” told the story of Bayard Rustin, MLK Jr.’s right-hand man and the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Sunday’s community service project “worked to help homeless youth in the area,” said Moriarty.
The group’s most recent endeavor happened right before Spring Break. Outside Alliance Hall, the Pride Network had a free BBQ in conjunction with promotional giveaways from Red Bull. Winners of paper airplane contests were able to enter a raffle to win a trip to Austria.
Upcoming events include tomorrow’s “Night of Noise” dance. Friday, which marks the “Day of Silence,” often sparks what Moriarty referred to as “breaking the silence events.” The Night of Noise in Hofstra USA is how the Pride Network plans to break the University’s silence.
A “Safe Sex/Sex Toy Party” will take place on Friday, April 24. Planned Parenthood is going to talk to interested students about safe sex practices, and afterwards, representatives from a company that specializes in sex toys will sell their products to those in attendance. The weekend will end on Sunday, April 26 with a trip to Fire Island. Traditionally, Fire Island was the stereotypical stage for up-and-coming members of the gay community.
On campus and off, the Pride Network strives to be both educational and fun for everyone in the community. From sex toys to gay Myth Buster events, there is something for everyone, no matter their sexual preference, to enjoy.