Lobby 7 "kiss-in" turned off some heterosexuals
Peter: I changed only the first and last paragraphs.--mg
Last Wednesday some students held an event called a "kiss-in" in Lobby 7. The idea was to help the MIT community become more aware of homosexuals and their rights on campus.
But many heterosexuals that I have talked to, as well as myself, feel that the "kiss-in" had a negative impact on the community. Many people were very upset and offended. I personally left Lobby 7 not only because public displays of affection bother me but also because guys kissing other guys offends me and makes me sick.
Homophobia is not the proper term for the reaction that I and many others had. Homophobia means fear of homosexuals. The reason many people including myself left Lobby 7 was not because of homosexuals but because of the inappropriate display of physical attraction that occurred.
The reason the "kiss-in" had a negative impact is because the MIT community needs to learn more about homosexual rights and not homosexual acts. The exhibition that occurred last Wednesday gave many heterosexuals very belligerent feelings towards homosexuals.
As heterosexuals, we have been made aware of the homosexual population on our campus and the fact that they are not given equal rights. But recently, with the increased amount of publicity GAMIT has had, everyone on campus knows where to go if they want to talk about homosexuality. Heterosexuals are tired of being forced to listen to and read signs about homosexuality. The "kiss-in" went one step too far. Just the fact that it was in Lobby 7 at lunch time forced people to listen to and see the "kiss-in."
Homosexuals deserve rights but kissing in public is not the way to get them. Many people find any public display of affection rude. I personally would not care to see a guy kissing a girl in Lobby 7. This type of action is definitely one way to motivate some people against homosexuality in general.
I believe that homosexuals have rights, and I also believe that heterosexuals should heed to those rights. However, I do not believe that heterosexuals should be forced to see or hear displays of blatant homosexual contact. In other words, homosexuals, think of the heterosexuals and try not to offend them or make them angry next time you plan an event made for awareness. People tend to be more receptive if they are not offended in any way.
Will Scruggs '92->
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