The LGBTQ Center held its annual “Love is Love” campaign from Feb. 6 to Feb. 10 to celebrate love and create a greater social awareness at the University.
The campaign started in 2009, and also involves the distribution of free red t-shirts with the “Love is Love” logo emblazoned across the front.
Students and faculty were invited to wear their “Love is Love” shirts Friday and gather on the steps of the Rotunda to sing the Good Old Song, posing for photographs to both spread awareness and illustrate solidarity.
Andrew Zazzera, a first year in the College, attended the event and said he was surprised by the turnout.
“I saw it publicized on Facebook and I'd also heard about this from a fourth-year friend active at the LGBTQ center,” Zazerra said. “I was surprised by how many came.”
Andy McMahon, also a first-year College student, said he thought the turnout was just a little more than he originally thought it would be.
“It was a good community,” McMahon said. “It was a little more than I expected, a little over a hundred people.”
Zazzera explained how the campaign has a personal significance for him as a member of the LGBTQ community.
“I and fellow members of the community merely wish to have the same legal rights as our heterosexual friends, and to be as accepted in society,” Zazzera said.
McMahon attended in order to try and spread awareness about the campaign.
“I came from a less diverse background and I think it’s good to make more people aware about this campaign,” McMahon said. “I just hope that we as a community make a difference by doing something that is bringing it up, making a statement.”
Zazerra said events like these help to illustrate that there are no differences when it comes to love.
“They help people see that we are no different from others and that our love is the same as the love they feel, and that's all I want for everyone to see,” Zazerra said.
Hema Shah, a first year College student, attended the event with Zazerra and said the solidarity of the event really makes a difference.
“Solidarity is important because every student deserves to know that they are loved and supported by their peers,” Shah said. “We can make a difference by making just one person feel more comfortable in their own skin.”
McMahon said in the future he hopes to continue to be active and remind people of the importance of the campaign.
Zazerra echoed McMahon and said the event made him feel even more motivated to share the struggles of the LGBTQ community.
“We're all the same, all just trying to find love and happiness in our lives,” Zazerra said.
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