Try not to be too surprised this afternoon if you come across some same-sex lip-locking.

“Reverse campaniling” takes place at noon today on campus, a part of LGBTAA Awareness Week.

Acceptance of homosexuality is becoming more and more prevalent in today’s society, especially as Hollywood has become more inclusive toward gay and lesbian actors.

And last year, more equal rights were given to homosexual partners right here in good ol’ “conservative” Iowa.

Despite this, there are still people who feel the need to let everyone know they remain opposed to the idea of a homosexual lifestyle.

People have every right to live their lives the way they choose without the constant criticism from some of our more ignorant members of society.

This is not the old days, when homosexuals faced social pressures to hide their sexuality for fear of violence and abuse.

This is the year 2001, and America is now a place where open minds and inclusiveness have replaced bigotry and ignorance.

Hopefully, we will come to a point in society when we won’t need an LGBTAA Awareness Week, as gays and lesbians will be fully accepted as the people they are.

Unfortunately, that time is not here yet, and this week we take the time to acknowledge members of the ISU community involved with LGBTAA. So, don’t snicker and don’t sneer today, or ever, if you see something you normally wouldn’t.

Just as you wouldn’t want others looking over your shoulders critiquing your every move, don’t do it to others.

editorialboard: Carrie Tett, Jocelyn Marcus, Katie Goldsmith, Andrea Hauser and Tim Paluch