University of Northern Iowa - Old Gold Yearbook (Cedar Falls, IA)

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C England 29 UNI GLO sponsored a table In the Union to help promote Blue Jeans Day. Working lor the group are Tony Salli», publicist. Gary Thomas. Lori Miller. Doreen sicholos. copresident, and Mona Potter.

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(JNI-GLO’S BLUE JEANS DAY Students Feel Forced to Acknowledge Gay Stereotypes and Civil Rights T A he group's request seemed simple: wear blue jeans on Thursday. February 21 to show support for civil rights of all people, including lesbians and gays. Blue Jeans Day, the key event in a week of activities organized by UNI-Gay Lesbian Outreach (UNIGLO) stirred up a great deal of controversy. Blue Jeans Day was the culmination of a week of activities. UNI-GLO showed the film. The Word Is Out-' on Monday. The movie featured interviews with several gays and lesbians, exposing the viewer to a cross section of their opinions. After the film Jim Chalgren. an adviser in the Alternative Lifestyles Office at Mankato State University, spoke on the topic Hometown Gay: The Rural Gay Experience and Homophobia. Wednesday the group sonsored Pink Triangles, a film chronicling the history of discrimination toward lesbians and gays during the past forty years. Nazis required gays to wear pink triangles on their clothing as Jews were required to wear yellow Stars of David. Gays were forced into concentration camps where many were tortured and exterminated. The pink triangle is now a symbol of solidarity among gays and lesbians. UNI- GLO also sponsored an information table in the Maucker Union Wednesday and Thursday. UNI-GLO's two co presidents. Nancy and Doreen, explained the concept behind Blue Jeans Day. We asked for support of our civil rights; we were not seeking any kind of approval of our lifestyle. They chose blue jeans as a symbol of support for several reasons. Jeans are the mainstay of most students' wardrobes. We wanted people to make a conscious choice that day about civil rights; we wanted them to think about the issue. The group had considered using armbands or buttons instead of jeans but rejected the idea. Mona, a member of UNI-GLO, pointed out. Buttons or armbands are easily ignored but you don't walk out of the house without your pants.” Blue jeans were chosen because those who did not support civil rights by wearing jeans had to make an effort to change from their usual attire to dresses, suits or sweatpants. The organizers claimed that such a small change for one day would give students some idea of the changes in behavior many lesbians and gays are forced into daily as they pretend to be straight in order to keep their jobs or homes. I could be evicted from my apartment or be fired from my job simply because I am a lesbian, and I would have no legal recourse whatsoever. Gays and lesbians have no civil rights. That's what I think Blue Jeans Day was all about. stated a lesbian UNI students who is not a member of UNI-GLO. Other students felt quite differently: Blue Jeans Day ... is an opposition to human rights, particularly the freedom of speech (i.e. the right to wear whatever, whenever). UNI-GLO members obviously care little for human rights if they must complained that he was a victim of Blue Jeans Day because he was forced to wear something other than jeans. He felt that UNI GLO was depriving students of the right to wear what they wish. United Students of Iowa and Students for Peace entered the controversy as well. They joined with UNI GLO in calling for campus wide participation in Blue Jeans Day. A spokesperson for USI stated that the group supports civil rights for all people and therefore supported Blue Jeans Day and added. It is only those weak minds and hearts that are threatened by equal rights. In general UNI-GLO felt that the second annual Blue Jeans Day was successful. Our group was very happy with the support we received, and we feel that students have started to change their attitudes towards homosexuals quite considerably Continued on Page 30 step on others to advance their own cause, asserted Mary. Another student. Duane. “B,„ Jeans Day had an educational func- t i o n which benefitted all students. It was a real consci- ousness-raising activity. Students are learning that it is not okay to be homophobic.” — Joe Wells, Asst. Professor Human Relations 28

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 ... I don’t remember the exact moment that I understood that Nazi Germany had destroyed hundreds of thousands of homosexuals solely on the basis of their Gayness. But I know that the fact will haunt me all my life, for I can never trust my citizenship, never take for granted that my neighbors will not stand idly by while I am killed for my way of life. The Holocaust will be with us forever. .. .. . You can never trust them (family and friends), for whether they choose it or not, they are allied with the Nazis as long as a gay family member has to lead a secret life on account of fear.” — Judy Grahn, Another Mother Tongue Blue Jeans Day Continued since last year’s Blue Jeans Day. The co presidents remarked that they learned from the experience of last year. This year they had much more publicity and strived to make it clear that wearing jeans was a statement of one's stand on civil rights, not of one’s sexual orientation. Clif. UNI-GLO’s secretary treasurer, added that perhaps because this was the second year for Blue Jeans Day. the shock value of the subject of homosexuality must have worn off. The reaction was not as dramatic this year. Although there were no overt threats of violence, no rumors of ’’queer bashing' parties as there were last year, evidence of hostility still abounded. Swastikas were drawn on UNI-GLO posters. Graffiti announced that Gays were freaks of nature: deformed, warped, sick; DIE. Clif noted that while most people seem to be either supportive or indifferent, there is a small but vocal minority of people here who are extremely prejudiced. (JNI-GLO tries to combat this prejudice through education. They reach the greatest number of people by appearing in various classes or panels. Panel discussions allow students to ask questions about the gay lesbian lifestyle in a fairly nonthreatening environment. Originally, gay lesbian panels appeared only in the Human Relationships and Sexuality classes. However, last year’s Blue Jeans Day triggered a tremendous demand for panels in a wide variety of classes. The number of panel discussions mushroomed from six to twenty three in one semester. In addition to panels for UNI classes. UNIGLO has sponsored panels in Marshalltown. Decorah, and Waverly as UNI-GLO was founded three years ago to provide for the development of a positive self-identity and support for the gay lesbian community and to educate the university community on lesblan gay Issues. Membership Is open to all who are supportive of lesbians and gays and Is not restricted on the basis of sexual orientation. well as one at Cedar Falls High. Clif explained why he aggreed to appear on panels: I hate stereotypes and myths, and I want to dispel them. Being on a panel is also personally rewarding because in order to answer the 30