Under the dance floor's dimmed lighting, bodies gyrated, wigs bounced and bondage accessories flailed along to fast-paced music in celebration of the start of Pride Week 2007.

The SpeakOUT-sponsored Queer Ball at Candy Bar and Lounge, 129 S. Pugh St., was an oasis for more than 130 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people and their allies (LGBTA), including several drag queens, drag kings and a Charlie Chaplin look-alike.

"It reflects a sort of more radical queer community," Cory Coppersmith (junior-communications arts and science) said. "It's not about blending in."

He added that the Queer Ball is great because it is not just gay people, but an event for all sorts of weird and different people.

Pride Week 2007 brings several events to campus, including a rally, lecture and drag show.

"This year our theme is 'Camp it UP' which is a fun new theme to revamp Pride Week and keep the integrity," Nicole Barrett (senior-psychology) said.

Barrett said the theme was used to spread LGBTA awareness around University Park.

"This is a big celebratory dance to say Pride Week is here and it's going to be fun," Barrett said.

Christina Swomley, president of SpeakOUT, said she hopes people will come out to the rally to bring the community together.

"They're usually profound and speak to everyone in some way," Swomley said.

Swomley said she hopes people will begin to see that the LGBTA community is an important part of society.

"We are going to exist and be who we are," she said. "And if that means being flamboyant then we'll be flamboyant."

Angel Bloom (senior-journalism) said this is the first time she attended the dance held during each Pride Week and thinks it is a good way to include everyone.

"I think it's a wonderful idea because other formals aren't really comfortable to go to," Bloom said.

In the past, the Queer Ball served as a prom for lesbian and gay students who did not feel comfortable attending their high school prom with their significant other.

Sean Jones (junior-English) said as an exchange student from London he notices the difference in attitudes toward homosexuality.

"Here they have to fight for the right to exist," Jones said. "In London, it's just kind of accepted."

Jones said the Queer Ball is very inclusive, and people should not think gay events are just for gay people.

"You come here and gay and straight people can be themselves," Jones said. "You don't find that much in State College."

Students can go to www.sa.psu.edu/lgbt/Pride.shtml for a full listing of Pride Week events.