MONDAY, MAY 10, 1999

Chalk drawings spark debate

By Alexis O'Brien

On-Line Forty-Niner

Some Cal State Long Beach students may have been surprised to see lesbian symbols and statistics such as, "One in every ten of you are gay or lesbian," written in chalk on campus last week.

Symbols such as a pair of female gender signs and pink triangles were marked on sidewalks, sign posts, stairs and other locations to represent lesbian rights, said a CSULB student who asked to remain anonymous.

Although psychology majors Hilary Kyle and Stephanie Rainaldi deny any involvement in the chalking, they do admit to having prior knowledge of the incident. The chalking was done by a group of students from CSULB.

"This was solely done for visibility purposes," Rainaldi said. She also said the group of students, who had no affiliation to any campus organizations, had personal reasons for drawing and writing the symbols.

Rainaldi said some people thought the chalking had something to do with the upcoming Long Beach Gay Pride Festival.

Karla Saldana, director of the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Resource Center, said the center had nothing to do with the markings.

"I learned some interesting things from the statistics written," said Yessenia Quintero, a CSULB sophomore. "I thought it was pretty cool and if it bothers people, then they should just keep walking."

The CSULB Commission on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Concerns held a scheduled panel discussion Tuesday evening entitled, "Graduate Studies in Lesbian and Gay Issues."

Spokespersons for the commission said they had no involvement with the chalking, but audience members did comment on the issue of gay rights visibility.

Some listeners felt that issues surrounding sexual orientation are often disregarded, and said the recent drawings of symbols around campus open up discussion among students and faculty.

Tracy Mendoza, a master of arts candidate, said she has frequently seen a lack of interest from professors on the issue of homosexuality.

"It is important to be out and visible," Mendoza said.

Various people present at the discussion thought the chalk drawings and messages were positive acts which will encourage other people to confront their fears about "coming out."