Music from a harp drifted through the Thurgood Marshall Gallery in Swen Parson Hall during the LBGT Spring Reception.

About 35 students and faculty members enjoyed conversation and refreshments during the reception sponsored by the Presidential Commission on Sexual Orientation.

The reception allowed people to gather and celebrate LGBT Awareness Month. It also served as a halfway point for the different events this month.

“We’ve been having a very good turnout at events so far,” said Margie Cook, coordinator for the LGBT resource center.

Christo Watson, a graduate student in art history and PRISM office manager and coordinator, said that the reception also allowed students and faculty to be with friends.

“It gives us a point in time for everyone to come together and to look at our history and successes,” Watson said.

The biggest event of the month, Gay Jam, was discussed at the reception. The seventh annual Gay Jam, which will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Holmes Student Center’s Diversions Lounge, will feature a raffle, drag and variety show.

“What makes it the big thing is it’s our service project for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago,” said Karen Frost, a senior communication major and president of PRISM.

To raise money for the foundation, PRISM will sell raffle tickets. The grand prize is a patron membership from the NIU Art Museum and a print by David Driesbach, a resident artist.

The second grand prize is a black and white photograph taken by Watson.

Watson’s picture, entitled “I Love My Gay Father,” won an award and was featured in the National Library of Congress Annual View of America.

To view the LGBT Awareness Month calendar, visit www.niu.edu/lgbt/april.htm.