Douglas Victor Janoff, Canada’s leading scholar in the study of homophobic violence, will visit Western Wednesday to discuss his new book Pink Blood.

The first Canadian book to study homophobic violence in Canada, Pink Blood estimates over 120 queer-related deaths and over 350 queer-related assaults that occurred between 1990 and 2004.

“Violence against specific groups remains pervasive and Western students need to educate themselves,” said University Students’ Council VP-campus issues Kelly Wilson. “Homophobic violence threatens the safety and equality of everybody.”

Janoff’s book investigates a myriad of issues, ranging from the root causes of hate crimes, to the representation of hate crimes in the media.

Students who want to understand the nature of anti-gay hate crime and Canada’s responses to it can attend Janoff’s lecture in the University Community Centre McKellar Room at 5 p.m. Nov. 16 or visit www.pinkblood.ca.

—Attila Vass

HIP-notist Coming to Western

XXX hypnotist Tony Lee will return to The Wave Nov. 17. Students will finally be able to act out their most secret, sexual desires in front of peers without having to go to the club.

Lee has performed at Western for years, making students dance, strip, and moan in front of their cheering friends. Lee asks volunteers to be hypnotized (and promptly humiliated) for the duration of the evening.

University Students’ Council Entertainment Productions manager Mark Wellington warns that Lee’s material contains “hardcore, offensive humour” and “may involve sexually embarrassing situations.”

If this still sounds like fun, the doors open at 9 p.m. at The Wave. Admission is $5, and proper identification is required for this 19+ event.

—Nathan Swyers

SOS Benefit Concert

A benefit concert called SOS (Songs Of Strength), might save some souls, while showcasing soothing sounds for solicitous students.

“The evening is music by choirs, soloists, spoken word/poetry, and dance,” said Tamika Brown, vice-president of the Western Adventist Student Association.

The singers include a gospel choir from McMaster, and groups from Michigan and London. Brown described the repertoire as “inspirational music, anything uplifting.”

All proceeds will be given to the Red Cross to aid in the relief of the crisis in Darfur.

The concert takes place Saturday, Nov. 19 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in University College Room 224. Tickets cost $7 for students or $10 for general admission, and can be bought at the door or by contacting wasa2005_5@hotmail.com.

—Nancy Gray

Calling All Aspiring Actors

Students looking to hone their acting talents or acquire some new skills have the chance to do so at the upcoming Purple Shorts auditions.

“We want to see your talent. No acting experience is required and we will be providing monologues,” said festival producer Mike Dewar.

“This is a great opportunity to meet new people. We hope so see you there,” he added.

Auditions will be held Friday, Nov. 18 and Saturday, Nov. 19, between 7:30 and 10:30 p.m., Dewar said.

All further inquiries on the production or try-outs can be sent to mdewar3@uwo.ca.

Huron Establishes New Exchange Program

Yesterday afternoon, Huron University College officially established a new international exchange program with Beijing Language and Culture University, thereby adding to its existing group of partnerships.

“I visited their campus over the summer, and was very impressed with what I saw,” said Dr. Ramona Lumpkin, principal for Huron’s administration.

“They are one of the top-tier universities in China,” she added.

With the new, three-year partnership in place, Lumpkin hopes approximately two to three students from each school will take part in the exchange program each year.

“Some of our students who take Chinese language courses have told us they would be interested in an exchange program. We are [BLCU’s] first Canadian partner. They already have a number or partnerships with schools in the United States such as Harvard and Columbia,” she said.

The exchange will last for approximately six months to a year, and will start in fall 2006, Lumpkin added.

—Ravi Amarnath