The Advocates and Allies of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Issues University diversity committee ensures that one's sexual orientation is not a barrier in a number of ways.

The committee works to provide full participation in the academic, professional, social and cultural life for faculty, staff and students, and also provides educational materials and opportunities to the University community.

In October, the committee will present its 3rd Annual Film Festival, an event that meets both objectives. Films will be shown Oct. 10, 17, and 24 in the Jot Travis Student Union Pine Lounge at 7 p.m.

"The films promote education through entertainment and discussion," said Denise Cordova, equal opportunity specialist and group co-chair. "It offers an opportunity for the campus and community at-large to appreciate the experiences that are common to the human condition."

The annual film series is scheduled in October, in recognition of National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11.

The film "Saving Face," will be shown Oct. 10. Billed as a funny, smart and very romantic movie, "Saving Face" is the story of a middle-aged widow who gets pregnant by an unnamed man and moves into her lesbian daughter's home.

"Overall, we hope that the audience comes away with a better understanding of the separate and distinct people within the LGBTQ community," said Joel Bolling, a graduate student in biology. "Although members of these communities unify under one umbrella, there is more to the community than gay, white males. We hope that the community is able to see and appreciate that through the films and discussions."

The group and the Queer Student Union hold open calls for films that members would like to see.

"This is one of the few opportunities for audiences to see quality films that address LGBTQ issues and themes," Bolling said. "Occasionally, theater venues may show an independent film or one that has crossed over to a mainstream audience but LGBTQ films don't get much exposure."

Bolling believes that the LGBTQ community is not obvious at first glance. "This is a community that is well hidden but by addressing these themes and images, we can be brought out into the light," Bolling said.

Bolling also encouraged students and faculty to explore other film offerings in Getchell Library. "The library has amassed an impressive collection of films with LGBTQ content," he said.

Film titles for the October film series include:

Oct. 10: Saving Face - When 48-year-old widow Hwei-Lan Gao (Joan Chen) informs her less-than understanding father she's pregnant, he banishes her from their family home until she remarries. With nowhere else to go, Hwei-Lan moves in with her grown daughter, Wilhemina (Michelle Krusiec), a Manhattan doctor who doesn't want a roommate, certainly not her mom.

Oct. 17: The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert - A demure but tough transsexual Bernadette (Terrance Stamp) teams up with two transvestites on a cross-country trip through Australia's Outback in this rousing, fun cross-dressing musical comedy.

Oct. 24: LGBTQ Film Shorts - A series of shorts from all over the spectrum, we will be exploring day to day LGBTQ life. Films from various producers will be shown and student panel from the QSU will be talking about what LGBTQ life is like on campus, in the Truckee Meadows, and in the world in general.