Main Street 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.
![Update Recycle Eclipse Glasses Update Recycle Eclipse Glasses](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Screenshot%202024-04-10%20at%204.14.17%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=H1_C2wLkY8VU.tGg2pqcBxYzwx3M6TGK&itok=E6J7GrBK)
After the eclipse, Flashes can do their part to promote sustainability by recycling their eclipse glasses for use by viewers of future eclipses around the world.
![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.
![Hotel evening view Hotel evening view](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Evening%20Hotel%20Shot.jpg?VersionId=j2duiYwa2rBq2nj1DRlEkQtsFQbduapT&h=511b1a2e&itok=Y_8Anb8e)
The Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center is celebrating 10 years of being at the heart of a transformed downtown.
![Students discovering downtown Kent. Students discovering downtown Kent.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/KSU_3274.jpg?VersionId=6eianjSVoTYcxekVZgn4qPpjSICJM4xo&itok=U1724HCV)
The first "Flashes First Thursday" welcomes students to experience the shopping, dining, music and more that make downtown Kent a fun place to visit.