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Show 6 FEATURE Pride Week: Marriage equality in Utah DENISE HIMES AND RACHEL ROBERTSON Utah is now recognizing marriage as of Oct. 6. This ruling comes just in time for Pride Week during which Westminster plans on celebrating with many different activities. We still have a hell of a long way to go because there is still discrimination in jobs and things like that...but it is a huge step forward in the marriage aspect, said Kaley Hunt, junior psychology major and a leader of the club Alphabet Soup. Hunt worked with Alphabet Soup and the Student Activities Commission to organize events for Pride Week and she said she hopes that this years Pride Week will be better than last Hunts calm presence was disrupted with excitement when she discussed what marriage equality meant to her. Hunt said she was happy for her friends that will finally be able to get married. Small victories are same-se- x what get us to the bigger picture, Hunt said. I am excited about it and hopefully other people are excited about it, Hunt said. Salt Lake Citys Pride Parade in June is something that Hunt has looked forward to in the last couple of years. Hunt has walked with faculty, staff and other students from Westminster College. The college has its own spot in the parade and Hunt said she hopes next year more students will be able to attend and support the community by being by their peers sides. STAFF REPORTERS It celebrates achievements of 31 LGBT icons and each day a different icon is featured with a video, biography and resources for more information on the icon. LGBT history month was founded in 1994 when a Missouri high school teacher believed October should be dedicated to teaching students about gay and lesbian history. October was selected because it is when school is in session. There is also an existing holiday that falls on Oct. 11, Coming Out Day, according to lgbthistorymonth.com. HISTORY MONTH October is LGBT history month for school campuses around the United States. The purpose of the month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had in the com- LGBT ALPHABET SOUP Alphabet Soup is an LGBT club on campus that is interested in providing a fun, comfortable, open environment for ' people involved in support and interested in continuing their and involvement in the gaystraight munity locally, nationally alliance. internationally. In the late 1980s, students on campus hoped to form an LGBT club but were afraid to be open to a community that was not ready for it. As years went by without an LGBT club, students cooperated and finally stepped out to show their pride on campus during the 2003-200- 4 school year. Ever since, Alphabet Soup has been influencing Westminster College with color. Faculty Technology Support Lead Rodney Glore has advised the club for the past four years and has been a big part in organizing Pride Week events. Glore invited a drag queen for the drag show on campus last year and was able to meet alumni who were never exposed to this part of the LGBT community during their time at Westminster. Glore said he was excited to meet alumni and to show them how far Westminster has come in supporting the LGBT com munity. In his first year as president of the club, Nicolle Huang, junior in the aviation program, has been active in supporting the LGBT community. Huang has been active since attending high school in California where he was a club member in the schools gaystraight alliance. It is crucial for students to learn and pass on what they learn to other people to ultimately show support for the community, Huang said. Huang said Alphabet Soup is a club where people are able to talk about serious issues, share personal experiences and to have fun and socialize with other students. Alphabet Soup is a place where students who dont feel comfortable with their identity can join. Every student in the .club comes from different backgrounds and is able to provide a safe and welcoming environ- - |