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Note: the following letter, published in the "Letters to the Editor" column of The Tartan, 28 October 1996, is the opinion of the signers and has not been formally approved by cmuOUT. It is presented here in its original unedited form.

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We were dismayed that the Tartan's editorial board sought to condemn Gay Jeans Day. The authors were correct in their deduction that "cmuOUT must be hoping to get as many people as possible thinking." Indeed, being challenged to think about an issue, formulate an opinion, and share that opinion with others is an important part of university life.

What kind of university would this be if people only thought to themselves and never shared their ideas? Being part of a university community means taking part in a dialogue, whether or not we are comfortable with the topic.

cmuOUT is consciously challenging people to make a choice to wear jeans, because society continually forces queer people to make a choice. We can either reveal our true selves and face consequences including losing our jobs or getting beaten up, or we can live in the closet, safe from direct harm but knowing that our life is a lie and ever fearing that our clothing, hair, gestures or speech might give us away.

For one day, we are asking others on campus to get into our shoes and consider the routine choices we are forced to make. If that makes this community uncomfortable, then we mean to make you uncomfortable.

cmuOUT wants everyone to know Wednesday October 30 is Gay Jeans Day; there is nothing "underhanded" about it. cmuOUT is taking every measure we could think of to get the word out: fliers, letters to RAs, administrators, and student organizations, banners above Doherty and in other places, fence painting, table tents, press releases, posts on appropriate bboards, and a table on the cut October 29 and 30 to distribute information and denim ribbons for people who would rather express their support that way.

"Support" means different things to different people. Some people may wear jeans because they care for friends, coworkers, or family members who are gay, lesbian, or bi. Some may wear jeans because they think it is wrong for people to be harassed or discriminated against because they are (or are perceived to be) lesbian, gay, or bi. Some may wear jeans because they want their closeted friends to feel comfortable enough to come out to them. Finally, gay, lesbian, and bisexual people may wear jeans because they are proud to be who they are. It's not about support for a "lifestyle" but support for actual people who are part of our community.

It is cmuOUT's hope that the community will see Gay Jeans Day as nothing more and nothing less than an opportunity to demonstrate that Carnegie Mellon University is a supportive place for gay, lesbian, and bisexual people.

Matt Bishop
Graduate Student, Math

Laura Franz
Graduate Student, Communication Planning & Design

Donna Riley
Graduate Student, EPP

Duane Williams
Senior Research Programmer, Robotics