Treasurer of Pride Alliance Kelly Eng '07 explained that the t-shirt drive was partly designed as a reaction to a few events which took place last semester. "There was a series of incidences that made the campus seem like an unsafe and unwelcoming environment for LGBTQ students," she explained. "Pride Alliance decided that something needed to be done to ensure that all Amherst students feel welcome and accepted."
Ceridwen Cherry '06 cites the luau as an example of one of incidents. "We decided to bring the shirts to campus in response to a couple incidents that occurred on campus last semester, from the now infamous luau comment to homophobic things written on people's whiteboards," said Cherry, who is a Queer Peer Educator and Ally. "Mostly the campaign is a way of making extremely visible how supportive an environment the Amherst campus really is."
The Dean of Students Office, the President's Office and the Pride Alliance paid for the shirts. "We saved a purple t-shirt for President Marx, and I'm looking forward to seeing him wear it," said Cherry.
Originally planned to last over two days, the distribution lasted only three hours because of the high demand for shirts. "I didn't realize how quickly they'd go. We're working on getting more because of how successful [the project] was," said Frank Park '07, an e-board member of the Pride Alliance.
According to Cherry, people were waiting in line even before the distribution began while others asked if they could get t-shirts for friends who were studying abroad. "We have had an overwhelmingly positive response," said Cherry. Pride Alliance member Ian Shin '06 added that there have been some variation in reactions: "Some have, of course, responded cynically, which is fine," said Shin.
For some, this promotion of tolerance on campus goes beyond the acceptance of only LGBTQ students. "As a [Resident Counselor] I am especially concerned with making sure that everyone feels safe and accepted in their environment and valued as a part of the Amherst community, which is why I wanted to be a part of the campaign," said Cherry.
Pride Alliance e-mail coordinator Madeline Ng '07 is happy that even with a small publicity campaign, the t-shirt campaign was such a success. "What is particularly impressive about this is the fact that the only publicity was the Daily Jolt, New Athenian, Pride e-mail and a few posters put up across campus, and the response was overwhelming," she said. "People were even willing to pick up shirts that were clearly not their size. Since the distribution, members of Pride Alliance have been receiving many questions about how they can get another shirt. We are bringing more of the shirts to campus so that everyone who wants one can get one."
Cherry believes that the t-shirts are a discreet way to show support. "I think the shirts are a great campaign as it shows in a non-intrusive but noticeable way just how many people on this campus are supportive of these issues," she said.
Shin added that some people suggested that the t-shirts were too non-intrusive, mentioning that there have been disagreements over the slogan because it seemed apathetic and did not deliver a strong enough message.
Students at Duke University originated the project in Spring 2003. At the time, The Princeton Review had voted Duke as the most gay-unfriendly school in America. According to the Fine By Me Inc. Web site, 10 Duke students-both gay and straight-speculated that even if this homophobic perception were not true, this perception could result in a more intolerant environment over time as students felt homophobic attitudes were acceptable while fewer LGBT students applied to Duke over time.
Feeling this perception of homophobia on campus had to be changed in order to effect actual change, the students distributed 500 t-shirts with the slogan on campus. The project was so successful that other student groups and administrators donated to the cause in order to pay for more t-shirts. After 10 days, over 2,000 students, faculty and members of the community were wearing the shirts.
In the following year, Duke University did not appear at all on The Princeton Review's list of campuses with homophobic environments. Since it began, the project has been successful on other campuses as well. Notre Dame University successfully distributed 3,000 t-shirts and students at Boston College are planning a second annual t-shirt drive this spring. Even church groups and businesses across the nation have begun to order the t-shirts.
Ng said that the t-shirt trend has expanded to colleges and other groups as well. "Currently, Fine By Me campaigns have expanded to high schools, colleges and communities across the nation," she said. "The shirts have been distributed at Notre Dame University, Boston College, University of New Hampshire, along with countless high schools and PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) chapters across the country."
The reaction of the College community, administration and students alike, has thrilled Ng. "The Amherst College administration has been extremely supportive in our campaign for the t-shirts. President Marx was very generous to provide funding for 400 of these shirts and Pride Alliance could not thank the Dean of Students enough for helping to make this event happen," she said. "We are very proud that Amherst College has actively responded to make this campus a more open and accepting place for LGBTQ students and their allies."