Snapchat has done it again. A semester later, the second meet up at the Cam Newton statue has happened, this time with less testosterone.
Two women professed their sexual orientation for all to see and hear on the Auburn Campus Story on Snapchat the week of Monday, Jan. 30, 2017.
Nikki Panzica, freshman in pre-med, posted the first video telling viewers that she was ready to tell everyone she is a "girl that likes girls."
Randi Whitten, senior is sociology, replied asking if Panzica was willing to recreate the first meet up because she liked girls as well. Whitten set the meet-up time for 2:15 p.m. at the Cam Newton statue.
The first meet up, brought on by two girls in need of dates for the Braves game, involved two females and two males. The couples were referred to as "deer people," as they were known for the use of the woodland creature Snapchat.
Following the same theme, the two united in front of about 50 Auburn bystanders at the Cam Newton statue.
The two quickly exchanged numbers and greeted each other with a hug. Bystanders sat in benches, watched from the stadium parking deck and cheered as they walked by.
Panzika said sending the initial snapchat was a "spur-of-the-moment" decision that none of her friends knew about. Panzika said the story was the best way to come out to her brother, who was unaware of her sexual orientation. While at the meet up she FaceTimed her brother, introducing Whitten.
"What's the point in everyone not knowing," Panzika said. "I was hoping Auburn would be supportive, and obviously they were."
Whitten said she saw no problem with replicating the meet up from last semester. Two girls should be able to find love as much as any girl and boy, Whitten said.
"Auburn doesn't rank very high when it comes to LBGTQ acceptance, but it seems like we have a lot of support out here," Whitten said.
Both women did not expect the popularity that came from the Snapchat posts, but both agreed that when it was out, it was out. There were some nerves expressed from both sides toward the meet up time, but they found contentment when they arrived.
Whitten received backlash from a male Auburn student, attempting to debunk her claim at being interested in females. Whitten replied via the story and said she is bisexual.
"I can love a girl one day and love a guy another," Whitten said.
Both of the women encouraged those that are struggling with telling friends and family about their sexuality to "go for it" and be confident.
"I've actually struggled a lot with [coming out] and for me to put that video on there is something that none of my friends expected of me," Panzika. "It obviously turned into a great thing and you should be proud of who you love."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
