We are kind of getting emotional at how awesome the University of Virginia is being right now. Campaigns that “celebrate diversity” are usually deadly-dull, but students have found a way to make a genuinely lovely display of their differences, including a fantastic message of support for gay swimmers.
“2 of us are gay. The other 3 don’t care,” says the sign held by the school’s swim team. Of course, that invites plenty of speculation: which ones are which? It’s easy to get bogged down in trying to identify the guys in the photo, and also to imagine slippery locker room pairings, but try to keep your libido in check for now.
This is part of a larger campaign called “We are all UVa,” in which college kids post pictures representing their diverse backgrounds. Photos cover the gamut of races, genders, sexual orientations, hair color, hobbies, homelands and disabilities. One photo is from an anonymous sex worker.
On one hand, this project certainly does feed into the narrative that kids today are narcissists who assume that they are as fascinating to the world as they are to themselves. Maybe. We’re trying not to get negative about this project, though — anything that galvanizes people to think about their identities and accept people who they might otherwise consider “other” can’t be a bad thing.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
jkb
That sign is so f’n cute!!
hotboyvb81
I knew a guy on the UVA swim team years ago- he and his teammates were the biggest bunch of chauvanists and homophobes I ever met. It’s good to see the evolution!
hotboyvb81
I’m guessing #1 on the right and 2nd from right in back are family 😉
Mezaien
They are all gays, with a smile like that who can guess.
Billy Budd
They are all adorable. They represent the future.
Billy Budd
My gaydar detects only one gay guy among them: 2nd from right in back.
SwanQueen
I go here! UVA is a pretty gay-friendly environment for the most part. I know the guy on the right is gay, but I’m not sure who the other guy is. So proud of my school!