From my lips to yours

Pride, love shown at Kiss-In

The sign read "Just Married." Students threw rice, lifted veils and kissed each other. But it wasn't an average wedding.

Both men and women wore veils and held rainbow-colored stickers at the University's annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Kiss-In on Friday. The mock wedding ceremony on the Diag paid tribute to National Right to Marriage Day, which also was celebrated Friday.

"I don't see enough people making out," said John Vasquez, an LSA first-year student, as he announced that the Kiss-In couples "officially" bonded in family ties. Vasquez was the second speaker at the event, which promoted not only Lesbian, Gay, Bis

ADRIANA YUGOVICH/Daily Two women kiss in the Diag on Friday during the annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Kiss-In. The event was held to celebrate love and freedom.

exual and Transgender freedom, but also love for everyone.

"It's hard to prove to others, and it is hard to prove to ourselves that we are all family," Vasquez said during his brief address at the Kiss-In. "As a family, we will come together and work on things that affect each other."

Vasquez's advice on universal love and relationships echoed the words of Lani Ka'ahumanu, a bisexual author and social change activist who was the Kiss-In's keynote speaker.

"What makes people so nervous about loving the same sex," Ka'ahumanu asked. "Or, if you're bisexual, just loving in general?"

Ka'ahumanu reflected on her 23 years of bisexuality to demonstrate that people must "defend the freedom to express love."

"What's love got to do with it," Ka'ahumanu asked. "Everything."

Ka'ahumanu's audience received her speech with applause and shouts of agreement as they gathered on the steps of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library waving signs that read "Be Mine" and hugging each other affectionately.

LSA first-year student Alfonso Rivera, a member of the Queer Unity Project, said he expected a lot of love, togetherness and bonding among the people at the Kiss-In.

"We just want to say 'We're here, we're queer and hey, we're happy,'" Rivera said.

Rivera pointed out that while Valentine's Day is often considered a holiday for heterosexual couples, the Kiss-In offered another perspective.

"We're really no different (from other people)," Rivera said. "We may love someone of the same sex, but we love people, just the same."

LSA sophomore Amanda Miller said the Kiss-In involved a more diverse of the University's community than it had in the past. Participants said the group was more multi-racial, more age representative and the event was better attended than in past years.

"I think people are more comfortable with their sexuality (at this year's event)," Miller said.

Some students who did not participate said they viewed the event in a positive light.

"I think Valentine's Day is a consumer holiday," said Rackham student in Classical Studies Andrew Fenton. "If these people want to take part in the holiday, more power to them."

LSA first-year student Sherry Guirguis also said she had no problem with the Kiss-In.

"I think it's so cool that they can do their own thing," Guirguis said.

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