Harvard celebrates 'Gaypril'

While many colleges have introduced "gay pride week," Harvard University has devoted an entire month to the subject, with pride celebrations, "a day of silence to raise awareness about the prevalence of homophobia, and a panel of sadomasochism experts."

"Gaypril," hosted by the Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Supporters Alliance on campus, began Monday night with open-mic performances that included a "story entitled 'My First Time' about scandalous escapades with a bisexual male model in Lebanon," the Harvard Crimson campus newspaper reported.

On April 26, the BGLTSA will show "Toilet Training," a documentary about "discrimination linked to gender-segregated bathrooms."

The audience also will hear about findings from a study on bathroom access on and near campus.

The BGLTSA's "thorough investigation" of Harvard buildings over the past few months shows the school could be more accommodating for transgendered students by creating more gender-neutral bathrooms, the Crimson said.

"For transgendered people, going to a specific bathroom can be a very stigmatizing experience," said BGLTSA publicity chairman Adam P. Schneider, who also is a Crimson editor.

Schneider said creation of gender-neutral bathrooms would be "an easy thing to keep under consideration" as Harvard makes plans to construct a new campus.

On its website, the BGLTSA says other Gaypril events address "marginalization and oppression that exists as a result of stigmatization of queer sexuality and gender."

The issues of "homophobia, biphobia and transphobia" will be addressed, the Harvard paper says, particularly through Gaypril's "day of silence" April 21, followed by an "anti-homophobia speak-out" April 22.

"We’ve come so far, but ... it's still a fight we have to continue," said BGLTSA co-chairman Stephanie M. Skier, also a Crimson editor.

Skier explained that while June traditionally is the month dedicated to "gay pride" and awareness, April was adopted as Harvard's primary month because school still is in session.

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