The colorful balloons adorning Old Main Mall today proudly announce the kickoff of Pride Week, an annual celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied (LGBTA) community.

Discussions about homosexuality and a professional drag queen show are among the events Allies will sponsor throughout the week.

At 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, Pride Week's keynote performer Doria Roberts will take the stage in HUB Heritage Hall, blending music with poetry and politics.

"I'm really excited for Doria Roberts," Allies President Christy Merchant said, adding that Roberts is a lesbian-identified woman of color. "She's very engaging, sort of in-your-face, and an amazing performer."

Live Homosexual Acts, a program designed to remind people that gays and lesbians engage in everyday acts like reading, studying and socializing just like heterosexuals, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday in 107 HUB.

Also on Wednesday, Allies will publish their "We Are Not Afraid" campaign advertisement, which is a compilation of signatures expressing support for the LGBT community, in The Daily Collegian.

Advertising coordinator Michael Balkenhol said the advertisement consists of about 2,300 signatures, which is slightly more than last year's.

He added that this was the second year students could sign it electronically through the Allies' Web site.

Merchant said another anticipated event is the return of professional drag queen Kierra Darshell and friends, who will perform at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Heritage Hall.

"This show is not to be missed," Merchant said, adding that last year Darshell and friends imitated such pop divas as Britney Spears and Whitney Houston.

Allies will also host their annual Pride Week rally at noon Friday on the steps of Old Main, featuring various LGBT student leaders who will discuss the struggles and accomplishments of the LGBT community as well as their future goals.

University Health Services will also offer free HIV/AIDS testing today at the LGBTA Resource Center in 101 Boucke Building.

"This is the first year I am actively participating in Pride Week," Allies member Stephen Thomas (sophomore-advertising) said. "I'm excited to absorb it all."