Live music, poetry, food and speakers helped bring communities together at the Lesbian, Bi, Gay, Transgender and Ally Resource Fair and Solidarity Slam on Wednesday.
The Alliance of Lesbian-Bi-Gay-Transgender and Straight Ally Students, along with about a dozen other campus organizations, developed the information-packed fair, now in its tenth year.
Resources, which included information on getting involved, help centers and groups across the state, were available at the fair, which was in the Union Parlor rooms.
After the event, there was a solidarity slam with open-mic style poetry and acoustic guitar performers, as well as performances by the Lansing Women's Chorus and the Greater Lansing Gay Men's Chorus.
Franny Howes, president of People Respecting the Individuality of Students at MSU, or PRISM, said she went to the fair last year as a freshman.
Howes said she has been very involved in LBGT issues ever since her first event.
"It's a great place to network," the social relations sophomore said.
"It was really cool to meet lots of people as a freshman."
Howes said she stayed in touch with everyone she met during her first visit to the fair.
"For incoming freshmen, it may be scary to go to a one-on-one type of meeting," Howes said.
"Here you can come with a friend and think about things before you decide what you want to join."
Organizations not pertaining to LBGT concerns, such as the Black Student Alliance and the MSU Writing Center, also set up booths at the fair.
Jennifer Trendt, president of Pre-Student Osteopathic Medical Association, said more academic groups should be represented at the fair since the majority of them are health and LBGT related.
"We're getting lots of exposure by being here," she said.
"This is great for people to know they are welcome (at MSU) no matter what, and be able to live an alternate lifestyle."
Affirmations Lesbian-Gay Community Center in Ferndale set up a table at the fair even though they're not affiliated with MSU. The group encouraged other groups to do the same.
"We decided to come because it's a cool thing to do and I'm having a good time," said Cass Varner, youth services coordinator for the group.
"It's a great opportunity to have a variety of resources available for people."
Nikkie Chavarria, general business administration and pre-law sophomore, said she wouldn't know where and when meetings were held in the community if she didn't attend the resource fair.
"I can learn about a lot of organizations that I can't otherwise," she said.
"It's very helpful for freshmen."
Interim President and Provost Lou Anna Simon and Lee June, vice president of student affairs, each gave welcome speeches before the solidarity slam began.
"We want to form a partnership with all the organizations so we can learn to grow as a community and help one another educate each other," Simon said.
June encouraged students to voice their opinions to the administration.
"Students like you keep administrators' feet to the fire and that's good," he said.
"You need to keep talking so we have the kind of environment that is conducive to you."
