DeBlosi took part in a postering campaign, featuring words like "vulva" or "fag" as part of an attempt to raise awareness during Queer Harvard Month.

"We...use them as terms of pride, so [that] you can't have power over us," DeBlosi says.

Campbell says he disagrees with the choices other BGLTSA leaders such as DeBlosi made when determining what issues should be addressed throughout the course of the month.

While confrontational posters do their part in spurring discussion of issue concerning sex or sexuality, Campbell says, they also alienate more conservative members of the gay community.

"What type of behavior or face do we represent?" Campbell asks. "Do we want someone who represents dominant culture or do we want an S&M leather queen? I was seen as selling out to dominant culture."

But the same posters that Campbell decries as alienating to mainstream Harvard and mainstream America DeBlosi says empower gay students.

"Proving that I'm `normal' is not what I'm going to do," DeBlosi says. "I feel there a lot of people who are going to be excluded if you take the approach that we're just like everyone else."

Sofen, who identifies more with what he calls the assimilationist camp, still sees value in both approaches.

"It takes both--Nicole DeBlosi to shout and Dave Campbell to calm her down," he adds.

Andre K. Sulmers '98, currently co-chair of the BGLTSA, says both approaches could alienate members of the gay community to some degree.

"In terms of gaining acceptance in the American community, both approaches are necessary," Sulmers says.

The Family Tree

Few dispute the social role the BGLTSA plays. "Everyone goes to the first BGLTSA meeting to find out who is queer at Harvard in each new class," one gay junior says.

The many who return only for the dances and social events are not interested in the organizational and activist politics the dominate the regular BGLTSA meetings.

According to Trevor S. Blake '00, a formerly active BGLTSA member, monthly community meetings are often not well-attended because, he says, the BGLTSA does not have a clear mission or identity.