The Southern

CARBONDALE - While maroon was the dominant color at the SIUC Homecoming tailgate, one tent had plenty of rainbows.

The Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Resource Center had its first homecoming tent Saturday morning at Saluki Row and the organizers thought it went well. Paulette Curkin, coordinator of the center, said the main purpose of the tent was to get their name out and let students and alumni know what they offer.

They did so with beer, hot dogs (meat and vegetarian), rainbow cookies from Cristaudo's Bakery and pink Homecoming 2007 cups printed with the center's name and Web site. Curkin said everything went well and the tent got a lot of positive responses with the biggest downside being the preparations.

"Everyone's been very positive," Curkin said. "The worst part was chopping five pounds of onions."

Curkin said one reason they want to get their name out so much is to appeal to alumni to set up a scholarship for GLBT students who have been disowned by their parents for coming out and need help financially.

The center opened in January and serves as a place for GLBT students, faculty and members of the community to get information, support and advocacy. However, Curkin said they receive a lot of information requests from heterosexual students who are seeking information for school assignments.

Casey Rumler, a senior in creative writing from Moline, works at the center's office. He was also elected "homo-coming queen" and got to ride on the center's float in the homecoming parade. Rumler said he was supporting the center because it's something the GLBT students need.

"People need a place to come and talk," Rumler said.

Wayne Larsen, editor at SIU Press, said the alumnae were "pleasantly surprised" to see the tent and were "glad to be represented." Larsen sat at a table at the front of the tent to add interested parties to the center's mailing list. By about 12:30 p.m. they had signed up 35 people.

"I'm very pleased," Curkin said. "It's very nice for a first-time turnout."

codell.rodriguez@thesouthern.com / 351-5804