Thursday, Feb. 13, 1997

Candles light campus vigil

By AIMÉE HARRIS
Collegian Staff Writer

More than 90 candles illuminated falling snowflakes on the HUB lawn last night.

Matt Garrett (graduate-chemistry) shields his candle from the wind as he listens to one of the speakers at a HUB lawn vigil for tolerance. He and many others gathered last night to make a statement to the community about understanding others. (Collegian Photo / Clinton Marchant - click for full size image)

In a rally to support tolerance, organizations such as the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance and the American Civil Liberties Union joined together to sponsor the candle-light vigil service.

"This vigil is an opportunity for the Penn State community to reaffirm its commitment to tolerance," said Duane Gildea, political co-director of LGBSA.

Visibility for their stand on tolerance was many students' purpose and hope for the vigil.

"I'm here for visibility so that students will no longer put up with intolerance or accept prejudiced attitudes," said Elina Khislavsky (sophomore-accounting).

Faculty and students, including many well-known faces, formed a circle while holding candles, as Jessica Shive, LGBSA social educational co-director, stepped forward to welcome everyone to "the vigil for tolerance of everybody."

William C. Kerr, treasurer of Students Reinforcing Adherence In General Heterosexual Tradition, then asked, "Does that include STRAIGHT?"

"It includes everybody," Shive responded.

Undergraduate Student Government President Sharon Entenberg and Vice President Ed Kilpela spoke first about the importance of and struggle for tolerance on campus.

Gildea then compared the struggle for tolerance to the struggle of those in the circle to keep their candles lit. Shielding the flames behind cupped hands, Gildea pointed out that the participants were trying to protect the flames as a group by huddling together and relighting each other's candles.

"Tolerance is a delicate. We have to work together to protect it," Gildea said. "No one in the circle is trying to blow another's candle out."

A student lends a hand to shield candles from the wind during the tolerance vigil held last night by the ACLU and LGBSA on the HUB lawn. (Collegian Photo / Clinton Marchant - click for full size image)

About five other members of the circle spoke about their feelings on tolerance and acceptance in an open forum to discuss feelings and issues.

Gildea passed out wine-colored ribbons while Shive explained that she chose the wine color because underneath, all people have the same color blood.

Before the vigil ended in a round of "This Little Light of Mine, I'm Gonna Let It Shine," Dave Kaminski, vice president of STRAIGHT, expressed his relief that the gathering was not an anti-STRAIGHT rally, as many individuals had previously thought.

Kaminski said that he was glad the vigil celebrated tolerance for everyone. Since his name was released as an officer of STRAIGHT, Kaminski added he has received threatening and obscene phone calls.

The success of the event, Gildea said, "moved me beyond belief." He said that he was proud and happy that tolerance had prevailed at the vigil, even with the possible tension of STRAIGHT members' presence.

"I had concerns, but it went well," he said.