On Feb. 14 at exactly 11:53 a.m., around 40 folks marched into the Pit with looks of purpose on their faces. The crowd slowly made its way to the middle. But rather than shouting, waving signs or chanting, these demonstrators did something none of the observers expected – they started passionately kissing, holding hands, hugging, skipping around, pecking others on the cheeks and passing out fliers. At first, the other students in and around the Pit didn’t seem to notice. But as the group got into the demonstration, people started noticing. With dropped jaws.

This Valentine’s Day, the queers were out.

Committee for a Queerer Carolina organized this Kiss-In to demonstrate the double standard that LGBTIQ individuals face on a day-to-day basis. Few people notice when a straight-identified couple publicly displays their affection, but people do tend to notice when LGBTIQ people do. And on this one day, the most heteronormative day of the year, CqC wanted to let people know that we’re here and that we make out, too.

CqC expected many responses, as is clear from the fliers and press releases passed out. This event, the sheets said, “highlights the privileges that straight-identified individuals enjoy… without being challenged.” They also emphasized the open nature of this demonstration, calling it the “Flaunt Your Sexuality Kiss-In” and encouraging folks of all persuasions to attend and to do whatever they felt comfortable doing – whether it be making-out or passing out fliers.

Also included in the handouts were talking points that acknowledged potential responses to the public displays of affection, LGBTIQ or otherwise. The handouts affirmed a generally sex-positive attitude that the University’s climate generally does not support. The “Heterosexual Questionnaire” made up the last page of the fliers, asking the types of questions that LGBTIQ individuals are often asked such as, “To whom have you disclosed your heterosexual tendencies?” and “Why do you insist on flaunting your heterosexuality? Can’t you just be who you are and keep it quiet?”

Win Chesson, co-chair of the GLBT-SA and Kiss-In organizer, confirmed the event’s success. “I was extremely impressed by our Valentine’s Day event,” he said. “Compared with last semester, our group really encouraged the participation of more women as well as more heterosexual allies who wanted to act in solidarity with us. The number of people engaged in making the Kiss-In a success, whether it was passing out fliers, walking in as part of our group or even holding hands with people of the same gender, really showed how many different people felt invested in challenging heteronormativity.”

Other campuses around the state and nation held similar events. CqC collaborated with students at the University of Washington at Seattle, UNC-Greensboro, Cornell University, UNC-Asheville, Dartmouth University and Ohio Wesleyan University. Reports are still trickling back on how each of their events went.
The crucial task now for all LGBTIQ individuals is to remain visible and present. And the task for allies and straight-identified individuals is to acknowledge and to affirm the queer presence in their lives. Until all University students can walk hand in hand with their partners or kiss whomever they like without fear of repercussion, we will have to keep making-out to make our point.

This Valentine’s Day, we refused to hide. This Valentine’s Day, we came out to show the world who and how we love. This Valentine’s Day will not soon be forgotten.