"Love is love . . . regardless of gender, orientation, or number," proclaimed a flyer advertising the second annual "Love In" sponsored by the University's Queer Graduate Caucus, an organization representing graduate students who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, trangendered, queer or questioning and their allies.
At noon on Wednesday, dozens of students gathered in front of Frist Campus Center to hug, kiss, and otherwise demonstrate their affection fearlessly.
The event was part of Pride Week — this Monday through Friday —which is an effort to boost awareness and tolerance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer student life on campus.
"The idea is to increase queer visibility. A lot of people aren't okay with us 'acting' gay," said Jessie Weber '05, who attended the event. "A lot of queers are at risk for violence when showing their affection."
Weber said intolerance persists at the University.
"There have definitely been acts of homophobia on campus," Weber said. "We want to reclaim our right to show affection."
LGBT students at Princeton coordinated parties, lunches and invited speakers on behalf of the cause, all of which were well attended, said Jennifer Schanbacher '04, Pride Alliance publicity director.
Activities earlier this week included Pride Sunday in the University Chapel and a lunch discussion on same-sex marriage led by Dr. Eugene Rogers of the Center for Theological Inquiry. Still to come are a Pride Arch sing and an Open Mic Night at the Murray-Dodge Cafe.
The "Love In" was one of the week's boldest event, transforming optimistic rhetoric into a true test of campus tolerance.
Since the roots of the Pride Alliance were planted in the 1970's, groups supporting LBGT University community members have multiplied and expanded.
In addition to the alliance and the recently founded graduate caucus, Fund for Reunion brings together gay and lesbian alumni, while the Firehazards, an a-capella group "founded with the goal of bringing a sense of community to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities," according to the Pride Alliance website. Still other groups specifically represent employees or address women's issues.
Support for LBGT students is available at McCosh Health center and the Office of Religious Life.
"Campus climate has been making changes for the better, but there's a lot more work to be done. We want to assimilate outward tolerance into actual acceptance," Kris Lazzaretti '06 said.
"Last year there was a really negative letter to the editor about the "Love In" last year, the person claimed it was 'against campus culture,'" Weber said. "Well, that's exactly why we need to change campus culture."
The LGBT students may be a minority population of the student body, but they are determined to improve equality and tolerance at the University.
"We're a very small faction," Shanbacher said. "I find it very encouraging that people are still willing to stand up."
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