I recently visited a downtown State College bar to hear a local band with a good friend of mine. The music was quite enjoyable and resulted in my friend and I dancing together. About halfway through the performance, we were approached by a friend of the band who asked us to stop dancing together because we could compromise the band's reputation. (It happens that my friend and I are both women).

I was quite offended because I did not consider our behavior inappropriate; rather, it was harmless fun between two friends. Later that evening, the lead singer of the band explained to us that the band could no longer perform at another State College establishment because they attracted a "homosexual" audience.

At that point, I was no longer offended -- I was disheartened. In a community containing a large university with a diverse population of students I was amazed at the lack of tolerance for any behavior that deviated from "the norm." It further confuses me that the so-called "liberalism" of Penn State abruptly ends at the corner of Atherton Street.

For example, Penn State Equal Employment Opportunity statement prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation; at the same time, however, the efficiency of such an amendment eludes me. As Penn State claims to maintain an influential position within the community, I question the validity of such a stance when evidence of its influence is frightfully lacking in this situation.

A university's objective is to educate. I believe this needs to extend beyond the geographical boundaries of its campus. In addition, are State College businesses unaware of the purchasing power of Penn State students within the community at large?

As a result of this incident, I curtailed dancing with my friend at the bar. I enjoy the band too much to jeopardize their livelihood. I have become aware, however, of the discrimination and conservatism that exists in State College and this frightens me.

If a university as large and powerful as Penn State has such limited influence on its immediate community, how will we ever overcome the bigotry that continues to plague our entire nation?