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Downtown Blacksburg, Inc. and the Office of Multicultural Programs and Services at Virginia Tech have introduced a special event to show support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community for LGBT History Month. LGBT History Month was established in 1994, but this is the first time it is being celebrated at Virginia Tech.

The event, “Dining OUT for Equality Week” was also designed to promote Blacksburg restaurants, some of which have established special deals for lunch and dinner throughout next week, from Oct. 22 through Oct. 26.

“On behalf of the participating restaurants, we’re excited to show our support for the LGBT community with this event,” wrote Laureen Blakemore, Director of Downtown Blacksburg, Inc., in a press release. “In addition, downtown restaurants will be able to showcase their diverse cuisine, from Thailand to Italy and from vegetarian to sweet treats as well as their acceptance of the LGBT AND Ally Community.”

To take advantage of the specials, it is only necessary for diners to ask at the restaurant for the “Dining OUT” special. Here is the specials schedule for the week:

LUNCH
Cabo Fish Taco | $1 queso with purchase of entrée
Café de Bangkok | Pad Thai chicken and Thai tea or Thai coffee $9.50
Champs Sportsbar & Cafe | Purchase any sandwich, wrap, or burger and get one FREE ($5–$9)
Gillie’s | Salmon burger (wild caught salmon) with Gillie’s slaw $8.50
Green’s Grill & Sushi Bar | $1 appetizer with purchase of 2 entrees
Next Door Bake Shop | Any panini and Thai iced tea or Thai iced coffee $8.50
Souvlaki | $1 gyro with purchase of gyro, fries, and large drink

DINNER
Cabo Fish Taco | $2 off your first margarita with purchase of food
Café de Bangkok | Any entrée (seafood excluded) and Thai beer (20-oz.) $12
Champs Sportsbar & Café | Any sandwich, wrap, or burger and any 16-oz. draft beer (5–9 p.m.) $8
Gillie’s | Chef’s Whim – $2 off regular price of special
Green’s Grill & Sushi Bar | $1 appetizer, $1 or $1.50 beer with purchase of 2 entrees
Souvlaki | $1 gyro with purchase of gyro, fries, and large drink
T. Flynn’s Pub | Around the Isle – fish and chips, bangers, and shepherd’s pie sampler $9.95

OTHER
Bollo’s | Any scone and house mug $2.50
Next Door Bake Shop | Medium coffee and cookie or cupcake $3.50
Souvlaki | Baklava $1.50

The week will end with a dance party at Gillie’s on Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. The party is for people 18 and older. A $5 cover charge will benefit Virginia Tech on-campus LGBT groups.