Pride Week begins today, with a host of activities that seek to educate and entertain the MSU community about lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgendered issues.

The week is sponsored by the MSU Alliance of Lesbian-Bi-Gay-Transgendered and Straight Ally Students.

"The week is a chance for the community to concentrate our efforts on a few big events," alliance Chairwoman Natalie Furrow said.

"It brings us together to have fun without community and educate larger community on LBGT issues.

"It's important to empower our community because that's where real activism comes from."

TJ Jourian, a 2002 graduate and State News columnist, said the week is about confronting prejudices.

"This week takes place because people always tell us that we need to be ashamed of who we are and the people who we love," Jourian said. "It's a statement against that, saying we're not ashamed."

The week, which has existed at MSU for more than 20 years and began as Pride Day, seeks to inform and educate students on issues and concerns within the LBGT community.

Events planned for the week include a picnic/potluck at the rock on Farm Lane today at 6:30 p.m., and the National Day of Silence on Wednesday and a march and rally on Friday.

About 50 students participated in last year's march.

The National Day of Silence symbolizes the silence that the LBGT community faces in their everyday lives, Jourian said.

Staff writers Melissa Sanchez and Kendra Snyder contributed to this report.