Although two months have passed since Cuntfest, the event is still a heated issue in the campus community.

Shortly before the winter break, the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance and Womyn's Concerns, co-sponsors of the event, initiated a meeting to discuss the backlash against Cuntfest and the implications of the negative feedback it received.

Both WC/FMLA members and opposing Young Americans for Freedom members attended the backlash meeting. After making a discussion circle, people in attendance were asked to state their names and affiliated organizations. Each party remained respectful of the other.

"Most people were pretty respectful when they realized who they were and what they were doing there," Missy Mazzaferro, co-director of Womyn's Concerns said, adding, "It could have turned into a YAF-bashing."

The drama began on Nov. 18, the day of Cuntfest, a celebration of feminism that featured art, music, and a reading from Inga Muscio, author of the novel Cunt: A Declaration of Independence. The event was an all-day program that also included self-defense workshops and a vegan dinner.

Shortly after the event, Jeffrey Budney, chairman of the Penn State Young Americans for Freedom, wrote a letter to State Rep. John A. Lawless, R-Montgomery. Budney believed the event received an unfair amount of university funding in respect to the amount of people who attended.

"I didn't have any problem with what they wanted to do, it was just the amount of money they got for it," Budney said.

Cuntfest received $9,519.64 from the University Park Allocation Committee, which distributes income from the Student Activity Fee. Budney said this was an unusually large sum for one organization to receive for one event, especially when the attendance number is low.

The opposing groups questioned the exact number of people who attended the event, which was discussed at the backlash meeting.

WC/FMLA counted about 200 people throughout the day while YAF members said they counted approximately 100 people or fewer.

Because a small portion of the money that UPAC distributes comes from the state government, Lawless sent a letter to Gov. Tom Ridge requesting that he take disciplinary action with Penn State.

"I am asking that you take immediate action with Penn State concerning this matter," Lawless' letter states.

According to UPAC, while it does receive general funding from state money, it is used solely for traveling and operational purposes.

WC/FMLA concluded that they must pursue this issue in the near future and make the community aware that free speech is in jeopardy. Group members were encouraged to write letters to their state representatives in support of Cuntfest.

When asked about her feelings toward YAF's involvement in the issue, Mazzaferro was gentle. "I don't want to put them down, but they did start it all."

In the meantime, Budney awaits the results of his letter to Lawless, and Lawless' letter to Gov. Ridge. Budney says that YAF is not opposed to these women's groups, it is merely opposed to the amount of university funding they received for one event.

"Their (WC/FMLA) programs are pretty much as political in nature as YAF programs, just a bit more offensive," he said.