The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Coalition (LGBC) would like to extend an invitation to all students, homo- or heterosexual, to attend a dance tonight.

The dance will begin at 9:30 p.m. in the lower level of J.P. Hannigan’s, 1215 Blackhawk Road.

The cost is $3 and top 40 music will be provided by a disc jockey from Rockford. There will also be a cash bar for people 21 or over.

“Dances are always our biggest social event, but our first dance is always the biggest,” said Brian Turkaly, co-president of the LGBC. “We’ve currently got six planned for this semester.”

Turkaly feels the dances are the most important of the various events sponsored by the LGBC.

The LGBC is hoping for an even bigger turnout this year. “I think more gays and lesbians are coming out,” said Turkaly.

He says in the past there haven’t been any negative repercussions about “coming out” so people feel safer about doing it.

“We get a very diverse crowd every year,” Turkaly said. “Students and members of the community of all ages and a lot of straight people come, too.”

Turkaly feels the dance provides an accepting atmosphere where people can meet and expand their horizons.

“Here if two straight people dance together it’s no problem, but if two gay people dance together at a bar in DeKalb it would cause a problem,” he feels.

Turkaly believes heterosexuals should also attend the dance. He said many have gay or lesbian friends and it’s nice for them to see this side of life rather than just the largely heterosexual bars in DeKalb.

“A lot of people believe gays and lesbians are anti-heterosexual and that’s not the case at all,” Turkaly added.