In high school, one of Julie Van Eerden's friends was bullied and had his car vandalized because he is gay. He continued to struggle with prejudice throughout those four years, she said.

Speaking to more than 100 people on the steps of Old Main at the Pride Week Rally on Wednesday afternoon, Van Eerden recalled this story to address issues facing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and allies (LGBTQA) community.

As an LGBT ally, Van Eerden (graduate-sociology and demography) felt like she didn't have a voice in high school, she said.

"Here, I do have a voice, and I won't be silent anymore," said Van Eerden, one of six speakers.

This year's theme, "Everyone's Invited," emphasized that everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, is welcome to stand up for LGBT rights and be part of the community.

Anthony Spina, one of the speakers, invited passers-by to join the crowd. He also encouraged people to recruit others into the community by reaching out to all "allies and potential allies."

"You are cordially invited to become educated toward LGBT issues on campus," Spina (junior-Spanish) said to the crowd.

Kevin Jennings, the week's keynote speaker, also spoke at the event.

Denise Hinds-Zaami, another speaker, works for the Paul Robeson Cultural Center and emphasized the diversity of those within the LGBTQA community. They will attain their goal when people share opinions of equality with others, "no matter what their cultural heritage," she said.

SpeakOut, a student organization that supports the LGBTQ community, sponsored the event. Josh Miller, co-president of SpeakOut, said the rest of the Pride Week events scheduled for the next two weeks are meant to raise awareness of the community on campus.

Cecilia Garcia attended the rally and said she is excited for the week's other events.

"It's a week where people who are underrepresented get to feel comfortable in their own skin," Garcia (sophomore-women's studies) said.

Christian Spies, another attendee, said the rally was a way to gather the community together to hear some "great speakers."

"Pride Week is about showing the world that there's not just one type of love, and that we're all equal," Spiel (senior-communication arts and sciences) said.