The Youth for Western Civilization (YWC) sold black shirts on Monday in the Compton Union Building (CUB), hoping to promote Straight Pride November.

Three members from both the WSU and UI YWC chapters were there supporting straight pride along with handing out fliers and answering any questions people might have about Straight Pride November.

“What is wrong with straight pride month?” said Luke Barker, a member of the WSU Chapter for the Youth for Western Civilization. “It’s an equality issue. October is Gay Pride month. In the spirit of equality, we went with our own.”

Barker said just as the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies (GLBTA) community gets to celebrate their own month of awareness, the YWC should have the same opportunity.

YWC is a conservative, social and cultural group that raises awareness about conservative issues, protesting illegal immigration and multiculturalism on campus, WSU chapter President Mark Brophy said. They are an independently funded organization, founded in 2008.

Brophy said they started the month last year under then president, Phil Tignino.

“We aren’t trying to hate on anybody,” Brophy said. “We are sitting here peacefully selling shirts and handing out fliers.”

The YWC was there to make fun of political correctness while supporting what they believe in, UI chapter President Alexander Rowson said.

The opinion toward the group ranged from positive to negative.

Senior communication major Shaun Sheddy said he supports the group in their ideas.

“If other groups have the opportunity to celebrate what they believe then so should Youth for Western Civilization,” Sheddy said. “They should have the equal opportunity to stand up for what they believe in.”

Others weren’t too keen on supporting the organization.

Members of the GLBTA program are against the ideas coming from Youth for Western Civilization, saying that the group is oppressing members of the gay community.

“We have Gay Pride Month not because we are wanting to flaunt our sexual orientation in peoples’ faces, but because we are the victims of violence,” said Zelrick Edwards, member of the GLBTA. “It is a month to celebrate who we are, a chance to feel normal and accepted.”

Kara Layton, a member of the GLBTA, said she can respect the idea, but a lot of what they are doing has to do with them feeling uncomfortable, having only started Straight Pride Month because there is a Gay Pride Month.