Surrounded by rainbow banners on the steps of Old Main, Michael "Peaches" Granville (sophomore-rehabilitation services) made an announcement to about 100 members and supporters of the Penn State lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and their allies (LGBTA) community.

"It's 2006 going on 2007," he said. "It's the year of the fag!"

Granville spoke yesterday afternoon as part of the annual National Coming Out Day rally. This year, the theme of the event was "From silence to celebration."

"This commemorates people who are made silent and cannot come out because of the fear of harassment at home or in the workplace," Christina Lenn (junior-economics), who helped organize the rally, said.

Alex Verget (senior-philosophy) used the rally as an opportunity to speak against the anti-gay preachers who visited campus early last week.

"These preachers tell us we face the fires of hell in the afterlife, but I have faced the fires of hell in the present life when I lay silent in the closet," he said.

Verget mentioned Penn State President Graham Spanier's "State of the University" video, in which Spanier is shown inside of Old Main, opening the doors and being bathed in the heavenly sunlight of a brilliant Penn State summer day.

"I, like you, have searched the inside of this building but was unable to find those doors, or that light, or that university," he said.

Verget said the administration was like "a cocker-Spanier chasing its own tail" and that it has not been receptive to the needs of the LGBTA community.

Eric Patridge, leader of several Penn State LGBTA groups, mentioned Rene Portland's continued employment as an issue the administration has yet to resolve.

Black Caucus President Darryl Watson said he has faced many challenges as a gay black man. He said he attempted to commit suicide during his early college years rather than to continue to face discrimination at Penn State.

"For me, the reality was I'd rather kill myself than be out and be happy," he said.

Watson said he became more comfortable with who he is with help from the LGBTA community.

"God doesn't make mistakes," he said.

UPUA presidential candidate Jay Chamberlin came to the event to voice his support for the LGBTA community.

Wearing his campaign T-shirt, Chamberlin announced he was not at the event to talk about his campaign and made a point of removing the shirt, revealing a white undershirt beneath, before continuing with his comments.

"As a white heterosexual, every door in this country is open to me," he said. "I was crying while you guys were up there speaking."

Jen Crawford, diversity chairwoman for the Association of Residence Hall Students, spoke in support of her gay best friend.

"When someone says 'that's so gay' in front of me, I promise there will be a very uncomfortable silence," she said.

Gay activist-artist Alix Olson, the keynote speaker at the rally, commented on the makeshift podium that had been constructed at the top of the steps.

"Only a couple of gays could cobble together a podium out of a trash can and a flag," she said.

Olson suggested that instead of advocating gay marriage, the LGBTA community should be calling for something else.

"No divorce for straights!" she suggested, adding the caveat that "you can get separated in Vermont and Massachusetts."

Darla Homan, a staff assistant, came to observe the rally. She said LGBTA issues need more support on campus.

"I think more faculty and staff need to come out," she said.

Jaci Schlott (senior-biology) was there to support the LGBTA community.

"It's a great thing, I give props to those who are gonna come out today," she said.