The University of Rochester’s Pride Network, a group that provides support and an open and secure environment to discuss issues of sexuality and identity, will sponsor several events on River Campus during the month of April, or “Gaypril,” to show support and spirit for the gay community.

At 7 p.m. on Monday, April 4, the group will sponsor “Reading Rainbows: An Evening with A Transgender High School Librarian.” The event, which will take place in Haven’s Lounge of Wilson Commons, features Debra Davis, who successfully continued to work as a secondary school librarian in Minneapolis after transitioning from a man to a woman. Admission will be $2 for undergraduate students and $3 for the general public.

Pride Network and UR Cinema Group will present the movie Mambo Italiano at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, in Hoyt Auditorium. The 2003 comedy tells the story of the gay son of Italian immigrants and his policeman lover.

At 8 p.m. on Friday, April 8, the annual “Straight Up Drag” show will return to the May Room of Wilson Commons. Admission is $5 for University of Rochester undergraduates, $7 for University graduate students, and $8 for the general public. Tickets will be available for purchase in the Common Market of Wilson Commons or at the door.

In addition, Pride Network will sponsor a panel discussion for the University community titled “Did God Make Gay? A Faith-Based Discussion with a Judeo-Christian Panel on the Affirmation of the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender) Community,” which will feature representatives from religious communities both on campus and in the greater Rochester area.

For more information on these upcoming events and on the Pride Network, please visit www.sa.rochester.edu/pn.