Under darkening, gray skies and on a muddy Manchester Field, a violent but friendly game of rugby raged between members of the LGBT community.

The night of rugby, wrestling and spud marked the beginning of PRIDE! Week hosted by PRIDE! Kent. “Out & About” was the first of five events to be held this week.

PRIDE! President Trae Ruscin said PRIDE! Week’s purpose is to gain wider support for the LGBT community.

“It helps to get the word out,” Ruscin said. “The fact that we’re not just for the LGBT community; we’re for everyone.”

In the fall, he said, PRIDE! hosts a similar week called “Coming Out Week.” PRIDE! Week is the springtime version of that week, Ruscin said.

On Tuesday, PRIDE! invites students to an all-day LGBT film festival that Ruscin said will showcase a variety of LGBT films.

Wednesday will feature the semester’s second Student Ally Training, the first of which Ruscin said was successful.

“It went really well,” he said. “And some people that were interested couldn’t come.”

PRIDE!’s weekly meeting in the Student Center Governance Chambers will be Thursday’s event, themed “Game of Life — Gay Edition,” and Friday will feature the “Day of Silence” and “Night of Noise.”

The National Day of Silence is to honor those in the LGBT community who are forced into silence because of their sexual orientation, Ruscin said, while the Lady Gaga-themed Night of Noise is a time for voices to be heard.

“It’s about people coming as they are,” he said. “‘Born this way’ means…coming as you are.”

Freshman zoology major Alex Schwartz was streaked with mud after several games of rugby during “Out & About.” She said she’s involved with PRIDE! Week because its message is important to her.

“I want to educate people and help people understand our cause,” Schwartz said. “Plus, I’m having a lot of fun getting muddy.”

Contact Daniel Moore at [email protected].