A three-day event to celebrate the traditions of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community kicks off today at Columbus State Community College.

The first annual Conference on Gay Folkways includes a weekend-long conference dedicated to homosexual culture and Qualia – the judgment of one’s inner senses. A caberet-style performance will also be featured.

“There will be something completely different each day; a broad spectrum of things for everyone,” said Kevin Mason, the Qualia coordinator.

Discussions will attempt to clarify persisting misconceptions of the gay lifestyle. Things like community building, art, dance, performance, social networking and spirituality will be talked over by members of the GLBT community.

“Qualia, the organization, has existed since November. The way of thinking goes back 3,000 years,” said Mick Weems, the originator of the project.

Qualia is a semantic term that relates to an individual’s perception of reality. Weems explains homosexuality as the product of a different perspective of life.

“Being gay … it’s the same world as straight people live in, it’s just a different take,” he said.

Weems said he hopes the conference is a way for gay individuals to speak from their own experiences and explain how they see and do things differently.

“So often in the general public there are a lot of misunderstandings about gays because the feelings and senses don’t work the same for a straight person as they do for a gay person,” Weems said. “Our own senses don’t give us the same answers.”

Lecturers will attempt to provide a glimpse into the everyday life and customs of the gay population. Eliminating confusion and increasing understanding between the heterosexual and homosexual divisions of society is a central goal of the program.

“The history and sense of community will come out through the papers and different panel discussions. We’re getting a snapshot, creating a microcosm, of what really takes place in real life,” said Elizabeth Nixon, a folklorist.

Nixon also helped with the organization of the convention.

By presenting the gay culture and the lifestyle it entails, the Qualia organizers and coordinators aren’t only trying to have a good time. They aim to promote a sense of community from within the GLBT population and support and tolerance from without.

“There are these pre-existing traditions that are similar to mainstream society. It’s the goal that the conference will open up other avenues for dialogue,” Nixon said.

The conferences on Qualia will be held at 4 p.m. today, 10 a.m. tomorrow, and noon on Sunday in Franklin Hall. All sessions are free to attend.