downtown kent
![Kent State at Akron Pride 2023 Kent State at Akron Pride 2023](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Screenshot%202024-06-06%20at%202.13.41%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=Gc8DDk.u4mzSgYxCgsAvNWX8g5NydWx9&itok=fbwza7Kg)
Kent State University's LGBTQ+ Center is celebrating Pride Month by boosting activities statewide, collaborating with local events, hosting a walking group and planning for a fabulous Fall Semester.
![Kent State mascot Flash wearing eclipse viewing glasses Kent State mascot Flash wearing eclipse viewing glasses](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/eclipse.jpg?VersionId=2D2hIoOedL1Lo40GhCdllHITbHtmPN_V&itok=jLqfUrHH)
Where will you be viewing the total solar eclipse, Golden Flashes? Kent State has a complete schedule of eclipse-themed events and activities.
![The Truth is Out There (No, Really...) art exhibition, KSU Downtown Gallery The Truth is Out There (No, Really...) art exhibition, KSU Downtown Gallery](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/429324488_1345440349496276_4763476288505214173_n.jpg?VersionId=FJRpMH_8Gzfg0D2_cVxMiu46MNdWkKXB&itok=NTb5Nmdv)
An art exhibition in the Kent State University Downtown Gallery uses images of UFOs to evoke questions about reality in a world where truth is often reframed.
![Main Street Kent's Family Friendly Halloween with Flash the Mascot Main Street Kent's Family Friendly Halloween with Flash the Mascot](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Screenshot%202023-10-29%20at%2010.20.26%20PM.png?VersionId=g.do0Q2X878xVurrU8u99GqaHsI4.g1t&itok=ODlsQjbV)
On Friday, Oct. 27 Flash the Mascot made new friends at Main Street Kent's Family Friendly Halloween event.
![Carved Halloween pumpkins outside of Beall Hall Carved Halloween pumpkins outside of Beall Hall](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/370195090_1309669752998945_576694846264226392_n.jpg?VersionId=Up36VhE7U.X_DyOUUswBTFUTEcfZqcW5&itok=Xx3MVCfs)
Signs of the Halloween season can be found lurking all around campus.
![Rainbow Unicorn running along Kent's Main Street Rainbow Bridge Rainbow Unicorn running along Kent's Main Street Rainbow Bridge](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/2023-10/20231009_MB_LGBTQ%2B%20Bridge-13.jpg?VersionId=VKhz7hSJydp5EEdK9Yn22VApjgIXpqRd&h=10d202d3&itok=5-dVJwQm)
Downtown Kent is colored with pride, recognizing National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11 and preparing for Kent's Rainbow Weekend, Oct. 13-14.
![Ken Ditlevson and others decorating the Main Street Bridge for Rainbow Weekend Ken Ditlevson and others decorating the Main Street Bridge for Rainbow Weekend](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/20231009_BC_LGBTQ_Bridge_119.jpg?VersionId=2EFi5ItSMT9iMuX3lGtq5qG939z1ERqN&itok=E1FgtwX_)
Students coming to Kent State and, for some of them, living away from home for the first time can struggle with the transition. The transition can even be more difficult for LGBTQ+ students, particularly for those who have recently "come out." Ken Ditlevson, director of Kent State's LGBTQ+ Center, talks about the many resources available at Kent to support them.
![Volunteers decorating the Rainbow Main Street Bridge Volunteers decorating the Rainbow Main Street Bridge](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/20231009_BC_LGBTQ_Bridge_204.jpg?VersionId=FHtWROjZ814LuPF.pbjBrJTmFVzO95UT&itok=E20maB-l)
Kent State and the city of Kent encourage people to attend any of the LGBTQ+ events on campus and downtown this week.
![Hundreds of locks fastened to Kent's Main Street Bridge Hundreds of locks fastened to Kent's Main Street Bridge](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/20231009_BC_LGBTQ_Bridge_174.jpg?VersionId=.Fc.yZpd3YGjw_DYLowgxGKSYAEldgQl&itok=0C7unO2O)
Kent's Main Street Bridge has been accumulating expressions of love for nearly a decade.
![Scene of students enjoying a past Black Squirrel Festival Scene of students enjoying a past Black Squirrel Festival](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/190906_RD_BS-FEST_01013.jpg?VersionId=AuyU.7zKW76CSBI2B2NQ35fhhBr0CbxG&itok=k0Mu-pro)
The Black Squirrel Festival returns to Risman Plaza and the Student Green on Friday, Sept. 29, from 4-7 p.m.