When Robert Welcher embraced and kissed his partner Friday on the Diag, he demonstrated more than affection.
He took a step toward displaying his relationship to others.
The Queer Unity Project celebrated St. Valentine's Day by sponsoring the Kiss-In event at noon Friday on the Diag.
Welcher, a Rackham second-year graduate student, said he participated in the event with mixed feelings.
"In a way it's liberating but it's still in a way scary," Welcher said. "I am not generally shy about showing affection in the public, but even in a town like Ann Arbor you still get these looks.
"If it was a straight couple kissing in the middle of the Diag, no one would take notice."
Welcher's boyfriend, Engineering senior Dreste Prada, said affection between homosexuals should be shown on more than one day.
"I think it's a great event, but it's too bad it's only once a year," Prada said. "It's one holiday that celebrates all these queer folks out here showing affection."
Approximately 100 students, faculty and other members of the University community gathered together to listen to speeches and poetry relating the experiences of gay, lesbian and bisexual community members.
LSA first-year student Greta Gerwick said she thought the Kiss-In was a good idea.
"I think that gays should be as comfortable in our society as anyone else is," Gerwick said. "No one should be made to feel like an outcast for showing their affection."
Gerwick said sexual orientation does not determine one's tolerance level.
"People assume if you accept homosexuality that you are homosexual or bisexual," Gerwick said. "Just because I am heterosexual doesn't mean I can't accept homosexuality."
LSA first-year student Jill Durocher agreed that Kiss-In was important in order to be visual to the general public.
"The most important thing today is getting fellow heterosexuals to accept homosexuality," Durocher said. "I am a very affectionate person, and if someone told me I could not be affectionate toward the one I loved in public, I would be upset."
Music first-year student Anna Novick said the event tries to make homosexual relationships a familiar sight.
"I think it's good to make it normal to see homosexuals kiss each other," Norvick said.
LSA junior Cory Fryling said he was pleased that many attended the event.
"I am very happy with the turnout." Fryling said. "I think people walking around got a good look and saw what is going on."
Fryling said kissing between same- sex couples must be an accepted practice.
"I think it's great for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals to come out and show the entire country that we are here," Fryling said. "Unity between gay and straight couples is a necessity."
MARGARET MYERS/Daily
Benn Howard and Jonathan Itchon gather on the Diag Friday for a kiss - in honor of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender pride and St. Valentine's Day.