Members of the Queer Straight Alliance were in the Library Quad on April 24 displaying the flags of their community to kick off Sacramento State’s third annual Pride Week.

The goal of Pride Week is to educate people about and bring awareness to the queer community, said Cynthia Dela Cruz, president of the Queer Straight Alliance, a Sac State organization that puts the event on every year.

Several papers were displayed on a table explaining the different flags of the gay community and its sub-communities. Included were the Bear flag, the flag of the gay and bisexual male community; the Leather Pride flag, which represents the BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, Dominance, Submission, Sadomasochism) subculture; and the Transgender and Bisexual Pride flags.

In addition to the flags from the various communities within the gay community, there was an explanation of the changes made to the most commonly known flag ?” the Rainbow flag.

Samantha Lees, a junior majoring in child development, came by to get information. She described herself as a member of the bisexual community and said she planned to participate in some of the events this week. “Maybe I’ll check out the movie – check out the art show and Drag 101,” she said.

The events Lees mentioned are just a few of the events planned for Pride Week. Wednesday is a national day of silence. Dela Cruz said that students will be in the quad and in classes and will hand out information to people who ask why they are being silent.

“I give them the right to do whatever they do,” said Jonos Porup, who is double majoring in counseling and gerontology and is a straight man. “They want equal space for their orientation.”

Porup said he respects their right to educate people and is against anyone who judges them. “I am not judging anybody – but people love to judge to elevate themselves,” he said.

“Brokeback Mountain” will be shown at noon Thursday in the Multicultural/Women’s Resource Center in Library 1010.

Friday culminates Pride Week at Sac State and features the fifth annual Gender Bending Extravaganza and Art Show.

“Our biggest thing is the fifth annual Gender Bender,” Dela Cruz said. She said the Gender Bender, which is in Ballroom 1 in the University Union at 7 p.m. on Friday, is appropriate for all ages and will be alcohol-free. It involves Sac State students dressing and performing in drag. Free food will be provided as well.

For more information about Pride Week or the Queer Straight Alliance, visit www.myspace.com/sacstpride or contact them at [email protected].

Brandon Darnell can be reached at [email protected]