Potentially offensive fliers promoting "Conservative Coming Out Day" were hung around campus yesterday, including one on the door to the Allies office, prompting discussion about their intent.

The posters depict sexually suggestive acts and question overt liberalism at Penn State.

A flier found outside the Allies office, 231 HUB-Robeson Center, said, "One is male. One is female. Let's do it like they do on the discovery channel [sic]," and showed two animals in a sexually suggestive position.

College Republicans chair Brian Battaglia confirmed the group is sponsoring the event, scheduled for noon Thursday on Old Main steps, but said he and other group members would not comment until next week.

Group member Matthew Ritsko said he knew few details aside from the rally's time and place.

Sara Ryan, Allies co-president, said the group has not yet formed an official opinion about the rally and will meet with Battaglia today to discuss the group's motives.

"I don't know how concerned we need to be yet," she said.

She said she is disturbed by references to Pride Week and National Coming Out Day, annual celebrations of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and its allies (LGBTA).

Ryan also pointed out the tendency to automatically associate gays and liberals as having similar beliefs.

"Being conservative doesn't necessarily mean you're anti-LGBT," she said.

Many student activists have also joined in discussion about the rally.

"The purpose of National Coming Out Day is to give people a safe space to come out," Manish Vaidya (senior-social and economic justice) said. "Penn State is a welcoming climate for conservatives, and I think it's ironic for them to feel the need to come out, because they really aren't coming out of anything."

Vaidya said he has not heard of any groups planning to protest at the event.

"I think the event itself is exploitative, but I don't think there should be anyone there protesting," he said. "If they believe in it, let them speak."

Political viewpoints aside, some students said they might consider attending the event out of curiosity.

"I think the idea is ridiculous because they are mocking a serious event," Alana McNichol (non-degree) said. "But it's also good to see the other side. I might go to check it out."

Matt Midles (junior-English) said the group has a right to express its opinions, but added that it could be done in a different way.

"I think it is unfortunate that they have to mock National Coming Out Day and not just have a conservative rally," he said. "Rather than asserting their own issues, they're attacking someone else's."

Kelly Ross, a member of Allies, said she thinks it is as inappropriate to protest the conservative rally as it would be for the College Republicans to protest at Take Back the Night or any other activist rally.

"We don't want to start an on-campus war," she said.

Kamilah Cole (junior-journalism) said it is unfortunate the group chose a national event like National Coming Out Day to serve their interests.

"If they want to come out as conservatives, that is their choice, but the problem comes in when they do it at the expense of others," Cole said. "I have a feeling it's less about coming out and more about riling people up."

Cole and Ross agreed there are "more important" things to do than worry about Conservative Coming Out Day, such as making sure that everyone at the university feels safe and welcome.

Black Caucus President Tiffanie Lewis discouraged students from protesting the event.

"It's upsetting to see they'd mock ... something that is very sacred and serious to most people," she said. "They need to invest their time in something that is more worthwhile to them ... organizations like Allies shouldn't even give it fire, because it's exactly what [College Republicans] want."