On April 11, students at West Kildonan Collegiate will wear pink to raise awareness to stop homophobic and other forms of bullying as part of the International Day of Pink.

The Day of Pink movement started after a gay youth was bullied in a Nova Scotia high school for wearing a pink T-shirt. In response, his classmates bought and wore their own pink shirts in a show of solidarity. Today, organizers estimate thousands of youths and adults in schools and communities across Canada participate.

At WKC, the Day of Pink is organized by the school’s student-led Gay-Straight Alliance. The GSA meets weekly and provides a safe place for students to support each other and socialize, as well creating a platform for activism.

Faculty members will also be encouraged to wear pink next Wednesday.

"We want to send a strong message that shows kids that we have their backs," explains Catherine Hart, one of the school’s GSA faculty advisors. "We want the school to be a safe place for kids to come out, to have someone to talk with."

Through its work, the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance has been successful in raising awareness and bringing about change at the school. Hart says that students remark they are hearing fewer homophobic slurs in halls.

Visit dayofpink.org for more information.

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Students from WKC are also busy rehearsing for their spring presentation of Little Shop of Horrors. Performances will take place at Université de Saint-Boniface, 200 avenue de la Cathedrale on April 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children over five years.

Contact the school at 339-6959 for more information.

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Monthly bingo evenings for kids at West Kildonan Memorial Community Centre are a great opportunity for families to spend time together without breaking the bank.  

Each bingo is a fun evening where kids are encouraged to play their own cards to practice and learn numbers. Organizer Kristin Barkley also stresses the affordability of the events for families.

"Where (else) can you take your family and get a hot dog, bag of chips and a juice box for only $2," she asks.

The bingos, now in their second year, started off slowly, but Barkley explains that today a packed house is the norm and bingos can attract upwards of 20 families.  

The next bingo will take place Thurs., April 26. Admission is $2 per family. Bingos take place at the community centre at 346 Perth Ave. from 6:30 to 8 p.m.  

Gabriela Klimes is a community correspondent for West Kildonan. She can be contacted at gklimes@hotmail.com.