The seventeenth annual Penn State Pride Week -- which celebrates the diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community -- begins today with a rally and drag show.

"It's an educational program as well as a fun program," Rubina Javeri, Undergraduate Student Government president-elect said of the week's schedule.

Javeri, along with several other members of the Penn State community, will speak at the rally which begins at noon today on the Old Main steps.

Jennifer Storm, the week's co-director, explained the history behind the week.

The idea originated from a nation-wide campaign to celebrate the diversity of LGBT individuals.

The movement got started in June of 1969 when a violent protest erupted in the gay community of New York's Greenwich Village.

The uprising was in response to a long-time police campaign in the area, where officers would repeatedly raid lesbian and gay bars.

The raids were often violent in nature, ending in verbal, physical and sexual abuse.

On one particular night though, the community fought back, resulting in a protest that lasted several days and gained visibility for the issue.

Now, more than 30 years later, members of the LGBT community gather to remember that pivotal moment.

"It was really a huge turning point for gay rights," Storm said of the protest.

"That's pretty much where we got the whole concept of Pride Week from," she added.

Chris Brown, the other Pride Week co-director, was not available for comment yesterday because he was in Philadelphia picking up the drag queens.

The performers are part of a group called Guys as Dolls, and they will perform skits and musical numbers, portraying such popular figures as Cher and Madonna.

"They are an amazing act," Storm said of the troupe.

Also this weekend will be the Safer Sex Cabaret, a theatrical production about safer alternatives to sex, at 8 p.m. Saturday in 105 Forum.

There was some controversy over the content of the cabaret last year after state Rep. John Lawless (D-Montgomery) complained about Sex Faire, but this year they have had no problems.

"We've had absolutely no problems this year with the cabaret," Matt Leifer, Allies director, said.

Some problems did arise this year however, when USG Senate voted against funding the week.

"It didn't surprise me because of the conservatism that was going on at the time," Storm said, adding that several on-campus groups helped to make sure the week was properly funded.