Gay Pride Week will increase knowledge surrounding gay issues through a variety of activities beginning tonight with a keynote speech by Lenora Fulani -- a 1988 presidential candidate and leader of the New Alliance Party.

Fulani, the first black woman on the presidential ballot nationwide, works for civil rights emphasizing rights for gay men and lesbians. She has participated in marches and spoken at conferences and conventions across the country. Tonight's topic is "Gay Politics in the '80s and '90s."

Gay Pride Week is a way for the community to be open about gay issues by recognizing the gay community, said Mike Mobley, president of the Lesbian and Gay Student Alliance. It can also promote a general awareness of gay men and lesbians, initiating some people to examine their homophobic attitudes, he said.

The theme of Gay Pride Week began here in the early 1970s, LGSA Secretary Brian McKernan said, with the initiation of "jeans day" -- a day on which one can show support for gay men and lesbians by wearing jeans.

Last year LGSA suggested an item of clothing to be worn every day of the week -- disturbing some students on campus who were uncomfortable supporting gay men and lesbians in this fashion, McKernan said.

After last year's controversy, group members remained indecisive as to whether the clothing schedule should be made available in the newspaper at the beginning of the week or on a daily basis. However McKernan yesterday released the items and days on which they will be worn, reducing the clothes calendar to three days. Monday will be black item day; Wednesday, Penn State item day and Friday will be jeans day.

Students who actively determine not to wear a certain item of clothing have changed their behavior one day out of the year, McKernan said, adding gay men and lesbians must modify their behavior every day.

He explained that wearing the designated clothing, on one hand, provided the opportunity to show pride in being a gay man or lesbian. It also is a time that people who are not gay can show their support for those who are.

"Every week of the year should be gay pride week. We should feel good about ourselves everyday, but here is a chance to show that pride and make it public," McKernan said.

-- Today -- Lenora Fulani, 1988 presidential candidate, will give the keynote address titled "Gay Politics in the '80s and '90s" at 7 tonight in 101, 102 Kern. A reception will follow.

-- Tomorrow -- "Before Stonewall," a documentary examining the time period before the start of the gay and civil rights movement in 1969 will be shown at 7 in the evening in 323-324 HUB and followed by a discussion. "Straight Talk on Homosexuality," a panel discussion given by gay men and lesbians, will take place at 8 in the Harry Slep Center, Altoona Campus, and 8:30 on the eighth floor of Beaver Hall.

-- Wednesday -- A "Straight Talk on Homosexuality" will take place at 8 in the evening at the George Clarke Lounge, Findlay.

-- Thursday -- "Not All Parents are Straight," a film examining gay male and lesbian parenting, will show at 7 in the evening in 318 HUB. Also, a "Straight Talk on Homosexuality" will take place at 8:30 in the Grandfather Clock Lounge in Atherton.

-- Friday -- "Religion and Being Gay/Lesbian," a discussion featuring Rev. Karon Van Gelder of the Metropolitan Community Church and Mathew Riley -- representing the gay Catholic view point, will be held at 7:30 in the evening in 106 Boucke.

-- Saturday -- "Gay/Lesbian Music Program" featuring music from gay male and lesbian artists and groups will air from 11 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon on WPSU 91.1-FM.