Flashback: February 1997

Straight's President receives death threats

The Digital Collegian at Penn State
Thursday, Feb. 20, 1997

STRAIGHT's leader receives death threats
By KERRYLEE NADEAU
Collegian Staff Writer

Livio and Charlotte Loccarini did not expect to receive death threats because of something their son Darin had done. This week, they did.


The Loccarinis, whose son Darin Loccarini is president of Students Reinforcing Adherence in General Heterosexual Tradition (STRAIGHT), received a phone call from a woman who identified herself as a lesbian and said, 'your son is dead,' they said. Now, Charlotte Loccarini is afraid for her son's safety.


"I hope that he looks under his car for a bomb," she said. "There are a lot of crazies out there."


Duane Gildea, political co-director of The Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance, said he is "floored" by this event and wonders what he can do put a stop to the prevailing negative attitudes.


"Myself and LGBSA abhor violence and the threat of violence in all forms," he said. "I don't believe anyone on either side of this would stoop so low as to call someone's parents."


Darin Loccarini is grateful to Gildea for speaking out against the threat of violence.


"I'm very, very respectful for Duane for doing that," he said. "We agree that any type of act like that is intolerable. It is OK not to tolerate death threats and violence."


While Darin Loccarini does not tolerate the threat of violence, he said it does not bother him because he sees it as just a threat.


"The threats don't bother me at all because it's only been one so far," he said. "I don't expect anyone is going to act on it . . . and chances are the person is going to learn what's really going on at Penn State."


The Loccarinis first became aware of their son's intention to form STRAIGHT this past Fall Semester when they visited the University for a football game. Since then, they had not heard anything more about it -- until now.


"I really didn't know that's what he wanted to do until I read one of the (Penn State) papers," Charlotte Loccarini said.


Despite the death threat, Charlotte Loccarini said she is proud of Darin. She said she is just afraid someone will try to hurt him.


"I'm actually very proud of him," she said. "I hope some crazy nut doesn't try to harm him."


The Loccarinis have also received positive calls about what their son is trying to accomplish with his pro-heterosexual organization. Four positive phone calls have been made to the family, and people stopped their cars outside the Loccarini residence in Palmer Township in support of his son, Livio Loccarini said.


"One fella from New Jersey wants to send him money to help him out," Livio Loccarini said. "I hope he doesn't get involved with that."


Although Livio Loccarini is proud of his son, he said, the situation has been blown out of proportion.


"This thing is getting really blown up," he said. "I wish it would stop. He's buddies with a lot of gays and lesbians. He says let them do their thing and he just wants to do his thing."


Livio Loccarini said he is not exactly sure what his son is trying to do, but he supports his campaign to get his organization funded by the University's $25 Student Activity Fund.


"I feel like (Darin) does," he said. "If gays and lesbians can get money to support their group, why can't Darin?"


However, Livio Loccarini said he does not know what would occur during STRAIGHT's meetings.


The family has been contacted by several media outlets, including "The Jerry Springer Show." Darin Loccarini's mother said she would be proud to see her son on TV.


"As far as him being on any talk show, I'd be very proud," she said. "But I want him to know it's not all peaches and cream."