As students gathered to watch the annual Pride Week Rally, a student holding a sign reading "Do not condone homosexuality" found his message the focus of one of the rally's speakers.

"I too don't condone homosexuality," Black Caucus President Darryl Watson said. "I demand it."

At noon yesterday, Watson and more than 100 others gathered in front of Old Main to celebrate Pride Week at a rally sponsored by SpeakOut.

Watson compared the activism of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies (LGBTA) community to the revolutionary actions of past biblical characters, civil rights leaders and gay and lesbian activists.

"I saw the inherent revolutionary power of camp," he said.

He also said the consistent action and outrage of students helped spur the resignation of former Lady Lions head coach Rene Portland.

"Poor Rene Portland," Watson said. "She didn't know you couldn't win a basketball game without lesbians and blacks," he added, referring to the university's finding that Portland discriminated against former player Jen Harris on the basis of sexual orientation. Harris also alleged that Portland discriminated against her based on race and gender.

Watson said students should continue to do what is necessary to bring justice to the campus.

"This work must be done today. If we fail, then Penn State fails. Camp it up," he said, referring to the Pride Week theme, 'Camp it UP: Our history becomes us.'

'Camp' is an expression used to describe something flamboyant and obnoxious, according to SpeakOut literature.

James Leahy (senior-journalism), who dressed in pink drag attire during the rally, encouraged people to not conform to societal norms and be themselves during his self-titled "Fabulous Faggotry" speech.

"Being normalized may not be all it's cracked up to be," Leahy said.

Leahy said he was afraid of attending LGBTA events before he became open two years ago but hopes others do not remain ashamed.

"Don't bottle up your queerness and faggotry," Leahy said.

Several members in the audience wore rainbows on their shirts or rainbow-colored ribbons in support.

Ashley Morocco (freshman-theatre) said she thought the rally was fantastic because of the impact it made.

"It reached out to a lot of different groups of people," Morocco said. "I think everyone, for a moment, felt united in this one space."