Just before the November election, the newly opened Pride Center at Oregon State University was targeted by vandals who filled the center's lawn with signs that read "Yes on 36: One Man, One Woman." It was seen as a statement of intimidation against the center, which is a resource for gay, lesbian and questioning students and their allies.

The event not only outraged members of the center, but other groups and individuals on campus who support gay rights. Molly Gray, the president and founder of the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, was one of those who took the act very seriously.

"The Pride Center has been having some problems with respect on campus," Gray said. "We want to let them know that FMLA totally supports them."

Looking for a way to show that support, Gray took some advice from fellow FMLA member Ashley Maier, a former camp counselor who used to sneak over to nearby cabins at night and decorate them with hearts filled with positive messages. The super-secret activity became known as a "heart attack," and it seemed just the thing to show solidarity with the Pride Center.

"It's reverse vandalism," Gray said, standing in the doorway of the Pride Center Tuesday night as fellow FMLA members wrote loving messages on the glass panes of the center's front door in washable marker. Down the steps and onto the sidewalk below, other notes were scrawled across the pavement in sidewalk chalk. One, accompanied by a hand-drawn Thanksgiving bird, read "Turkeys say ‘We love you!' "

"We're showering them with hearts and giving them a huge heart attack," Gray said.

Gray worked in the Women's Center this summer, where members of the Pride Center gathered before they had their own space.

"It was sad to see them go out on their own," she said. "It was like a little bird leaving the nest: ‘Goodbye! Good luck!' This is such a great space for them. There's all this positive energy."

Decorating the center was a top-secret mission. An FMLA member rented out the space for a "study group" Tuesday evening, giving the group a chance to use the center unimpeded.

Inside the center, handmade construction paper hearts were taped everywhere, bearing phrases such as "Keep Rocking. You are loved" and "Best of fortune." Some of the members' young daughters helped out as well, making the event an all-ages activity, which is exactly what Gray wants her organization to support.

Gray founded the group last winter after attending a feminist conference in Portland because she felt that there was a void on campus for feminist groups. The organization promotes a variety of causes, from gay rights to women's rights to environmental protection. Backing up the Pride Center falls well within the group's priorities.

"It's hard," Gray said, "because we have a really conservative campus."

As the women awaited the arrival of a fellow member who was bringing treats to leave in the Pride Center kitchen, they discussed what Pride Center members might say and do when they arrived to find their very colorful surprise.

"I'm so excited," one member said, as Gray nodded.

"I want to camp out," she joked.

For more information on FMLA, contact Gray at graymol@onid.orst.edu. For more information on the Pride Center, call 737-9161.