Christian G. Vergonis '92, a members of Peninsula's governing council, says he is glad the magazine dealt with such a controversial and relevantissue the way it did.

"I think we were able to present a lot of realinformation about homosexuality," he says. "Wethink we've succeeded in changing attitudes oncampus about homosexuality."

Vergonis says he felt that Peninsula'sposition reflects the opinions of most of theHarvard community and adds that people havefrequently expressed their support to magazinestaff members.

"Unfortunately, there was a small but veryvocal minority of students that staged rallies andsit-ins," he says.

Cavazos disagrees. She sees the campus as splitabout 80-20 in support of the BGLSA and againstPeninsula's opinions.

She and other BGLSA leaders say that in thewake of the controversy they think Harvard isgradually becoming a more open and welcomingenvironment for the gay community, and they hopethe trend continues.

John A. Frazier '95, BGLSA co-chair, says hesees Harvard as a "fairly welcoming place," and hesays the new visibility of the BGLSA has added tothat.

Both Cavazos and Frazier say theadministration's response to the Novemberincidents was supportive, but they say more can bedone to make homosexual students feel comfortablehere.

Cavazos would like to see more education forfirst-year students on topics of harassment, whileFrazier would like to see a strongeradministration stand against ROTC.

Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III says theCollege has taken a "firm position" cagainstanti-gay prejudice and "seeks to create a tolerantenvironment."

Epps criticized the magazine's "rough treatmentof a sensitive issue" at the November rally, andRudenstine issued a statement condemning theLowell house graffiti.

Next year, Frazier says, the BGLSA will seek toimprove its visibility on campus and to forgecloser relationships with other campus minorityorganizations.

"I think visibility on campus is one of themost important things for changing people," hesays. "It enlightens them a little."

As for Peninsula's staffers, they saythey have no plans to abandon their penchant forcreating a stir.

"In general," Vergonis says."Peninsulawill continue to explore controversial andrelevant issues.