Between sips of coffee, the conversation at a table in Frist cafe last Friday ranged in subject from MTV commercials to Russian and Japanese literature to stand up comedy.
But all these topics were linked by an unexpected theme. Five friends discussed a commercial that featured two male skateboarders kissing and Rosie O'Donnell's decision to come out as a lesbian to fight anti-homosexuality adoption laws in Florida.
On the first Friday of every month members of the LGBT community meet at the cafe to enjoy free coffee, relax and just hang out. These meetings, known as First Fridays at Frist, are co-sponsored by the Frist Campus Center and the LGBT Student Services office to provide "a social time for people to get together, to build community," said Debra Bazarsky, the coordinator for LGBT Student Services. The program was initiated in September.
Bazarsky said the meetings — held in a low-key atmosphere — also serve as a less intimidating way for a student who is uncomfortable as a member of the community to "scope things out." Such students, who have previously contacted Bazarsky in private, will sometimes sit near the table designated for First Fridays until they feel comfortable participating in the group.
"It's a chance for them to see other LGBT people that are out," Bazarsky said.
Though mostly members from the LGBT community — including alumni, graduate students and University staff members — participate in the gathering, all are welcome to attend. Last Friday's turnout was smaller because of other LGBT events, but the meeting generally attracts about 15 to 25 people each month.
Students in the graduate school recently discussed subsidizing a second Friday each month to foster a deeper connection between the LGBT communities of the undergraduate and graduate schools. Presently, the graduate school hosts an event similar to Frist Fridays during which students attend weekly evening meetings.
At the Frist gathering, conversation turned from popular culture to issues on campus. Former Pride Alliance president Caroline Baker '04 discussed an upcoming campaign against the derogatory statement "That's so gay." Baker said students will hang fliers all over campus this week to protest the phrase.
"We are hoping there will be a reaction," she said. "We just want people to talk about it."
Baker — who returned to campus this year after taking two years off — said she was excited to see what First Fridays had done to help foster a more open community among LGBT and Pride Alliance members.
"It's made so much progress since I've been gone," she said. "It's really great to see. It's nice for me to meet new people."
And that is what First Fridays are all about, said Kristopher Kersey '04, vice president of the Pride Alliance.
"It's a great opportunity to meet people from different areas of the University," he said.
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