Loyola University’s gay and lesbian outreach student organization, Etcetera, recently established the Geoffrey Scholarship and is sponsoring a black-tie optional Gayla Saturday, April 26 in support of it.

The $10,000 endowed scholarship, named for a recently deceased member of Etcetera, is offered to incoming freshmen who have shown dedication and service to the gay community.

World religions senior Nick Nevares, who is also co-vice president and co-social chair of the group, said that the scholarship is not just for gay and lesbian students but for anyone at Loyola.

He said the scholarship will make “people aware that we’re a presence on campus … it will make a big difference in (Loyola’s) culture.

“There is still a lot of anti-gay sentiment on campus. We get hate mail in our mailbox; our flyers get torn down,” he said.

But Nevares says he believes that the event will open communications between the various different kinds of organizations on campus.

“There is a balance between not taking yourself too seriously,” he said referring to the flyers which read, “Gay people are fabulous.”

“Obviously we do take it seriously, but we’re having fun, too. Any way to lighten the seeming seriousness other groups put on us – like being gay is immoral – is good.”

The Gayla will be held in the St. Charles room, Saturday April 26 at 7:30 p.m.

The $25 student ticket price includes cocktails, dinner and entertainment from comedian Bob Smith, who has been featured on “The Tonight Show,” HBO and Comedy Central. Local comedian Kristin Becker will also provide entertainment.