LAST WEEK, DU PRIDE kicked off Coming-Out Week by passing out rainbow ribbons on the Driscoll Bridge. They were able to pass out every ribbon to students interested in making a multicolored statement in favor of tolerance and diversity.

“[Diversity] is something we definitely need more of on this campus,” said one student, reaching for a ribbon to pin on. However, not all the passers-by were so eager. A few even confessed to being afraid they may be presumed gay, wearing that familiar, seven-color scheme. Others passed without even acknowledging the enthusiastic promoters at the table. Maybe tolerance and diversity aren’t worth wearing a rainbow-colored ribbon.

One student asked why there were no ribbons supporting heterosexuality. Well, my straight-and-narrow friend, as soon as your family and friends start pressuring you to get in a healthy, same-sex relationship, we’ll start an organization and choose a new set of colors to show any support you and your breeding brothers may need. Until then, the need for tolerance of diversity remains.

DU PRIDE organization is putting together a series of events, among which will be a panel discussion with knowledgeable members of the gay community speaking on controversial issues of homosexuality that face Colorado. Unlike our esteemed and reputable fraternities, LGBTQ groups across the nation, high-school and collegiate alike, commonly face shy recruitment. However, the DU PRIDE organization stands before its second official year on campus, several members stronger and with an ambitious student-government already at work planning events to follow up the successful publicity it received last year. Membership is composed of heterosexuals, homosexuals and bisexuals of several different racial backgrounds who give proof of loyalty to their motto: “Embracing Diversity, Accepting Differences.”