The Daily Tar Heel
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893.
Thursday, March 28, 2024 Newsletters Latest print issue

We keep you informed.

Help us keep going. Donate Today.
The Daily Tar Heel

LGBT March Peaceful, Emphasizes Unity

Members of the Queer Network for Change, Black Student Movement, Carolina Union Activities Board and student government paraded down sidewalks from South Building to Hinton James Residence Hall holding a rainbow flag and wearing "celebrate diversity" stickers.

The gay pride rally was held in response to an allegedly false calendar announcement that appeared in The Daily Tar Heel on Monday, UNC LGBT Administrative Assistant Fred Hashagen said. The announcement stated that a march would take place at 7 p.m. in front of Hinton James, but neither the contact student listed in the ad, sophomore Jim Carlton, nor LGBT leaders knew of the march. "Either someone was looking to get a group of queer students at the same place at the same time to do something ... or it was an attack on Jim Carlton personally," Hashagen said. "But for (being gay) to be an insult is inappropriate and hateful."

Carlton has no affiliation with any LGBT group on campus.

"It's just a further example of the underlying homophobia of the students and part of the administration on campus -- and it (needed) response," said Hashagen, citing many less significant cases of homophobia that have happened recently on campus.

Organizers of the event requested a University police escort because they were concerned about possible threats to their safety. University police Lieutenant C.E. Swain was one of two officers to arrive at South Building as the group began to assemble. The officers assessed the situation and then left minutes later at the request of organizers to scout out the Hinton James area. The officers, two of the three on duty Tuesday night, then left before the march started.

Melinda Manning, interim assistant dean of students, helped Hashagen set up the event by notifying University police. "We haven't had any incidents to be concerned about, but we have taken precautions to make sure nothing happens," Manning said.

In addition to notifying University police, Manning contacted housing officials. Jerrid Freeman, Hinton James area director, said he was not worried about the safety of the marchers but did have five additional staff members present to "make sure nothing happened."

Although the group's safety never became a concern, Hashagen said some other students reacted with "insulted and patronized looks" and some crossed the street as the group approached on the sidewalk. Marchers also were squirted with water from a toy squirt gun by an unidentified person driving past them.

Hashagen said he had hoped for a stronger turnout but was satisfied with the participants. "The amount of people was disappointing, but the quality of people was extremely encouraging," he said. "It helped build a network of leaders dedicated to fighting manifestations of hate."

Student Body President Justin Young said he represented the students who were too afraid to show up. "Ultimately it is important to show students the unity of the (LGBT) community," Young said. "It shows they will not be affected."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.

To get the day's news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters.

Special Print Edition
The Daily Tar Heel's Collaborative Mental Health Edition