KINGSTON, R.I. — March 31, 1999 — “Pride and Prejudice: The 5th annual Symposium on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues” takes place at the University of Rhode Island from April 8 – 10. The conference is free and open to the public. The conference will examine diversity in school curricula and higher education, queer theory, same-sex marriages, and gay romance and relationships. Symposium highlights include: Thursday, April 8, 7:30 p.m., Multicultural Center, Room 101: Keynote speaker Tracey Conaty, communications director at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in Washington, D.C. Conaty will deliver a talk entitled, “We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For,” providing an overview of the status of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in the U.S. today, as well as a vision for the future. Friday, April 9, 7:00 p.m., Multicultural Center, Room 101: The film, “Before Stonewall: The Making of a Gay and Lesbian Community,” will trace the history of homosexuality in America from the 1920s to the 1990s. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the police raid on Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City. The raid sparked a three-day riot and led to the development of the Gay Liberation Movement. Saturday, April 10, 7:00 p.m., Memorial Union, America’s Cup Room: Bob Smith, the first openly gay comedian to have his own HBO special, will perform a stand-up comedy routine. Smith has appeared on Comedy Central, Politically Incorrect, Entertainment Tonight, and Evening at the Improv. For a complete conference schedule, or disability assistance, please call Andrea Herrmann at 874-4940. For More Information: Andrea Herrmann, 874-2101 Ann MacDonald, 874-2116