The facts: On Monday night, the GLBT center in Harrelson was vandalized. The vandals spray-painted “Fag burn” and “die” on the door and bulletin board of the GLBT center.

Our opinion: This vandalism should not be fought with hate; rather, it should further the resolve of the N.C. State community to foster an accepting environment for the  GLBT  community. This incident should propel us to be less passive and to take action to create a better environment for the  GLBT  community.

On Monday night, we were reminded how much work is left in creating a hospitable environment for the GLBT community. “Fag burn” and “die” clouded the walls of the GLBT center Monday night. The vandalism brings to mind words like ignorant, unacceptable and shameful, but combating hate with hate is never productive. The proper response is to fall back on the strength of your conviction.

Fighting for the rights of others, fighting to educate, fighting to support a community discriminated against without merit are the mainstays and the mission of the GLBT center. The vandalism in no way reflects failure of the GLBT center. More than anything, it reinforces the profound need for the center and efforts like it. It appears this will be a galvanizing point going forward.

Prior to the incident, the GLBT movement was gaining ground. In the past month, the Student Senate has been doing its part to support the mission and efforts of the GLBT center. On Sept. 21 the Senate appropriated $1,000 to the GLBT center to make t-shirts for National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11. Further, Wednesday night, the Student Senate voted on whether or not to officially oppose SB 514, a State Senate bill that would amend our state constitution to only allow for heterosexual marriage.

Students should show their support in response to such an act of hate and intolerance. We can combat the situation by speaking to our GLBT Center and helping them spread awareness and acceptance as the plan of action falls into place. They are taking a positive, proactive approach to this situation, and in support, we should as well.

These actions cannot be achieved alone; to successfully deal with this situation, the GLBT Center will not only need the support of campus organizations and its students, but also from the greater community.

The vandalism will not hold the community down, but rather spark its next steps forward. It is imperative students help them to ensure N.C . State is an educational institution which fosters acceptance rather than hate.