Approximately 50 members of the Bisexual, Gay, and Lesbian Student Association (BGLSA) and Strategic Offense Systems (SOS) convened in front of Widener Library last night to react to signs posted by the Association Against Learning in the Absence of Religion and Morality (AALARM).

AALARM, which is not recognized as an official student organization, had recently posted signs across campus that read, "AIDS: Sodomy = Death."

The demonstration was "not a protest per say, but a memorial to the 300,000 who have been murdered," said Joshua L. Oppenheimer '96-'97, political chair of BGLSA and a member of SOS.

"Hatred that lobbyists, politicians and AALARM feel toward our community and other communities at risk has prevented them from investing in our lives," Oppenheimer said. "Their hatred has blocked initiatives to create decent AIDS prevention programs."

"They've argued that our programs are obscene, pornographic," he said. "But mostly they've argued that we as a community are not deserving of sustained prevention efforts."

After Oppenheimer's brief introduction, the atmosphere was immediately hushed. Dressed in black, students and some alumni carried glowing candles and sprawled on the cement.

Demonstrators traced each other in white chalk and decorated the body outlines with pink triangles, halos and names. The words "AALARM = DEATH" and "SILENCE = DEATH," were written on the pavement.

Lighted candles encircled a rainbow flag on the grass, and yellow "CAUTION" tape enclosed the area.

Alexis A.S. Zubrow '96, a member of SOS, hung in a harness from a tree in a mock hanging.

Zubrow served as a "human monument to 300,000 murdered by homophobia, by groups such as AALARM, which have prevented full implementation of AIDS research and prevention programs," said James A. Clayton '97, a member of SOS.

The mock hanging was arranged solely by SOS, which is not recognized as an official student organization by the University.

"I am disgusted to see AALARM," said a woman who asked to be identified only as a recent Harvard-Radcliffe graduate and a former member of BGLSA. "I try to promote education, not ignorance. I'm happy to see BGLSA coming out here," she said.

"I am living with HIV," she said. She said she contracted the virus as the result of a date rape, in which her efforts to protect herself were futile.

"I have a lot of friends living with HIV and I have friends who have died of AIDS," she said. "Too many people are dying young."

She said people are often unaware that HIV affects women and that it is present at Harvard.

"I was affected as an undergrad," she said. "People should educate themselves and practice safer sex, respect themselves and their bodies. Everyone is really at risk."

She said the candles memorialized the people who have died of AIDS and symbolized hope.

"I hope we have taken a stand tonight against the sort of bigotry and hatred which AALARM fosters on this campus," said Tobias B. Kasper '97, who works at the AIDS Action Committee in Boston.

"The hate that AALARM is espousing in the name of morality is repugnant and should be condemned, not only by all students, but by the administration and the facul-CrimsonGabriel EberROSALIE RIPPEY, a Divinity School student, feigns death during last night's protest outside Widener Library.