There are a plethora of activities celebrated during April, including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Month events.

Renowned author and scholar John D’Emilio will speak about gay history during today’s lecture.

What makes D’Emilio’s presentation different than other presentations held this month is that he will examine the history of the gay community during the past decade and what has changed in people’s perceptions regarding gays.

“Our main goal for the evening,” said Margie Cook, coordinator of the LGBT Resource Center, “is to provide an expert critique of shifting attitudes and opinions in society today about the gay community.”

D’Emilio will read from “The World Turned: Essays on Gay History, Politics and Culture,” his new book. D’Emilio is a history professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Cook said the presentation will not be limited to D’Emilio reading, as it will be a very interactive evening. D’Emilio will read two essays from his book and then will open the floor to questions. He also will lead a group discussion.

“He will be reading one essay about Bayard Rustin and another about AIDS and the gay community,” Cook said.

Rustin, Cook said, was an important civil rights leader in the 1960s, serving as the key adviser to Martin Luther King Jr., and organizing the Civil Rights March. He was an extremely important figure in the ’60s, and many people didn’t know he was gay.

“I hope, specifically the gay community, but also anyone interested in history, politics and culture will benefit from this event,” Cook said.

This is D’Emilio’s first time speaking at NIU, and Cook encourages all to come because it is a fabulous opportunity to hear a famous historian speak on key issues.

“I hope his visit here will help us know our history better,” Cook said. “Especially since the gay community tends to be left out of our history books and overlooked.”