Huggin' and Kiss-In

LGBT Visibility Week ends with Kiss-In

To kiss or not to kiss - that was the question as about 60 gay men and lesbians gathered in the Diag on Friday at noon to celebrate the annual Kiss-In as part of National Queer Visibility Week.

The event gave the University community an opportunity to see what does not often take place in public - gay couples kissing.

"I think the key point is that people get the chance to show their affection in public," said LSA junior Luke Klipp. "It does shock people to some degree."

By promoting gay visibility through such events as the Kiss-In and National Coming Out Day last fall, sponsors and participants said they hoped students would feel more comfortable expressing their sexuality.

LSA junior Elena Woods kisses LSA sophomore Naomi Baum on Friday at the LGBT Kiss-In on the Diag.

"The visibility on campus shows students in the greater community that there are others out there," said Molly Bain Frounfelter, a Music first-year student. "It says queers are here on campus and in every aspect of these people's lives."

Although participants emphasized the empowerment gleaned from the event, some voiced annoyance that no sound system was installed on the steps of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library as had been requested.

"I'm concerned with the lack of power and microphones, which were paid for and reserved," said Music sophomore Katherine Severs, a member of Quiet Women End Reform. "They didn't have power at National Coming Out Day."

Queer Visibility Week and last fall's National Coming Out Day were especially notable following the death last year of Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming students beaten to death because of his homosexuality.

"I think it has increased concerns," said John Vasquez, manager for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender office. "People have realized we have to do something to fight homophobia."

Fewer people attended the event than last year, in part due to the cold weather, but many of the participants said they were not disappointed by the group of kissers.

"I'm happy with the turnout," Severs said.

Many participants said the goals of the event were accomplished by simply establishing the presence of the queer community.

"We're showing that we're here, showing that we're out and showing that we're proud," Vasquez said.

Kiss-In participants hold up signs on the steps of Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library on Friday. DAN O'DONNELL/Daily

02-15-99