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As students from all over the country return to 51����’s Kent Campus for fall classes, 51����’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Plus (LGBTQ+) Student Center is adding to the excitement of that busy first week.

The Akron Pride Festival will take place on Saturday, Aug. 28, at Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron. 51����’s LGBTQ+ Center will be sponsoring a free shuttle that will allow new and returning 51���� students to experience the event – some of them for the very first time.

The LGBTQ+ center is a welcoming environment dedicated to providing the students, faculty and staff at 51���� with education, training, support and resources that cater to the gender and sexual minority community and its allies.

Ken Ditlevson, director of the LGBTQ+ Center said, “The pride event in Akron is perfectly timed with the start of fall classes. It’s a nice way to start the year and an outstanding opportunity for some students from rural areas, or those who don’t live close to cities, to attend what might be their very first pride event.

We think it’s very important for students to see this representation and be part of the celebration,” Ditlevson said. “Some of our students have said, ‘I’ve always wanted to go to a pride celebration.’”

The shuttle’s first departure will be at 9 a.m. to allow students to reach Akron in time for the Akron Equity March, which kicks off the festival at 10 a.m. “51���� has a large group of students, parents, faculty and staff who participate in the march,” Ditlevson said. 

The Akron Pride Festival will take place from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. The student shuttle will make trips to and from the festival all day, with the last shuttle departing for 51���� at 8:15 p.m.

The shuttle is free, but there will be a ticketing system.

“The ticketing system allows students to choose the time for their return trip, and it helps to guarantee that everyone gets a ride back to Kent,” Ditlevson said.

Students seeking more information about the shuttle to Akron Pride Festival can call 330-672-8580, email LGBTQC@kent.edu or visit .

51���� and the LGBTQ+ Center are committed to accessible and inclusive events. Students requiring disability accommodations can contact Lo Denmon at 330-672-2156 or jdenmon@kent.edu.