UREC to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month

Event to include ‘Paris is Burning’ documentary, keynote by Cesar Valentino

Nancy+Mack%2C+member+of+Community+Congregational+Church+of+Christ%2C+prepares+for+the+pride+march+on+August+27%2C+2017+at+the+Palouse+Pride+March+in+Moscow.

LUKE HOLLISTER | DAILY EVERGREEN FILE

Nancy Mack, member of Community Congregational Church of Christ, prepares for the pride march on August 27, 2017 at the Palouse Pride March in Moscow.

KAITLYN TEJERO, Evergreen reporter

The University Recreation Center will partner with the Student Entertainment Board, Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation Resource Center and Multicultural Student Services to hold an event titled “The History and Impact of Vogue” with Cesar Valentino.

The event will feature a keynote speech by Valentino, a showing of the documentary “Paris is Burning” and a catered reception afterward.

It will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at the Chinook Student Center, Room 150 and will be free regardless of UREC membership.

Valentino will speak about the dance style of vogue and his experiences with the gay rights movement, according to the UREC website.

He said he is “beyond grateful” for the opportunity to share his experiences with everyone.

“Vogue and ballroom was created to give everyone an opportunity to participate and be validated,” Valentino said. “Voguing is an expression of self-appreciation and it’s all about attitude and confidence.”

GIESORC Director Matthew Jeffries said the event is open to everyone and wants to welcome faculty, staff, students and community members.

“The main purpose of this event is to celebrate some of the big parts of LGBTQ history,” he said.

The screening of “Paris is Burning” will also take place at the event.

“Paris Is Burning is really one of those incredible pieces, because we have the footage, the documentary, and it takes a snapshot of a particular time and place,” he said. “And to have someone from that here to talk about it is kind of incredible.”

Jeffries said the University Recreation Center put the event together and notified him that Valentino was coming to WSU.

“The UREC saw a connection with our office and asked if we wanted to do something with him, so we decided to partner up,” he said.

Valentino will hold a guest artist workshop prior to the keynote, Jeffries said.

This will happen from 3-5 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center, Room 256. Valentino will teach the fundamentals of vogue and classic runway, according to the UREC website.

Valentino said he hopes the workshop and panel discussions are fun and informative for everyone.