NORTHRIDGE : Group Holds ‘Kiss-In’ to Fight Homophobia

Holding pink balloons and rainbow-striped flags, about 25 members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Alliance at Cal State Northridge hugged and kissed each other in the university’s main quad Tuesday at their third annual “Kiss-In.”

After a brief welcome by one of the organization’s co-directors, inviting people of all sexual orientations to join in, members counted down from 10 before embracing and kissing their friends and partners.

Dozens of students paused several yards from the gathering to watch. A few jeered, several cheered, but most just observed the scene briefly before moving on.

The event, which is part of a week-long program for “National Coming Out Day,” was designed to combat homophobia on campus, said Andrea Alfaro, co-director of the LGBA.

“We are just like everyone else,” said Alfaro, a 28-year-old graduate student. “This event is to say that it’s OK to be who you are and it’s OK to express your love.”

Enrique Castrejon, director of a campus organization called Queer Latinos, said the event also helps to dispel stereotypes about homosexuals and bisexuals.

“We are diverse,” said Castrejon, 21, who is a sophomore majoring in chemistry. “We come from different backgrounds and different ethnicities. And we are everywhere.”

LGBA does face opposition on campus. Its flyers are sometimes torn down or defaced soon after they are posted, Alfaro said, and several members of the group have been verbally harassed.

Azize Coskun, a 22-year-old senior and psychology major watching the LGBA event, let out a loud and disgusted “eauw” as she watched the LGBA members kiss. She said she believes that members of the group were only hurting themselves with their public display.

“They need to keep it to themselves,” Coskun said. “By making a big deal out of it, they are making it a big deal. I don’t think the general student body appreciates it.”

Solly Maya, a senior who stopped his bike to watch, disagreed.

“It’s a big shock to see it right in front of my face,” said the 20-year-old. “But it’s a good thing--maybe it’ll open people’s minds.”