2008 Woodie Awards
Students protest sexual orientation prejudice in day of silence
By Nicole Rupp
Issue date: 4/15/05 Section: News
Many SRU students probably wondered why campus was quieter then usual on Wednesday. The answer is simple: Wednesday was the National Day of Silence, held by the Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transsexuals and Allies organization (LGBTA).
Alexandra McKenzie led the event with help from Kelly McBane.
"Alex put it together," McBane said. "I helped a little bit, but it was mostly her."
The day of silence went from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. As the silence went on during the day, participants hoped to make a statement to others. By not speaking for six straight hours, the participants showed an extreme dedication to their beliefs.
"It is wrong to discriminate against members of the LGBTA community," McBane said. "We hope to get across to people that you don't know who's gay and who's not. Many people are forced to live in this extreme closet, and that's wrong. We shouldn't have to be silent."
Those who participated in the event were protesting the harassment, prejudice and discrimination lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people and their allies face. Everyone who participated in the event joined together in the silence, echoing the silence that LGBTA faces.
"Think about the people they aren't hearing and try to echo the silence," McKenzie said.
The National Day of Silence was founded in 1996 at the University of Virginia. The event was so successful that Maria Pulzetti, a freshman at UVA, decided to make it a national event. The event, which started with 150 participants in the beginning, grew to tens of thousands participating all over the nation.
All participants have one goal to get across; that there will no longer be a toleration of discrimination against the LGBTA.
The National Day of Silence is one of the largest student-led events that promotes creating safer schools for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
"This event will show people who abuse that homophobic remarks won't be tolerated," McKenzie said. "It will let people see what it would be like if our voices were silenced."
The LGBTA posted many flyers around campus and handed some out at Weisenfluh during common hour on Tuesday. They had hoped to receive the support of those on campus during the day of silence.
Crystal Hawkins, a member of the LGBTA, said she felt posting flyers was important to gain the favor of students.
"We posted flyers all over (campus) to try to get lots of people to support it," Hawkins said.
The LGBTA are not the only people who participated in the event. Anyone who strongly agrees with the issue was encouraged to participate. More support for the event means that more of a difference was made.
Although the National Day of Silence is now over, there is a Web site for anyone interested in learning more; www.dayofsilence.org.
Alexandra McKenzie led the event with help from Kelly McBane.
"Alex put it together," McBane said. "I helped a little bit, but it was mostly her."
The day of silence went from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. As the silence went on during the day, participants hoped to make a statement to others. By not speaking for six straight hours, the participants showed an extreme dedication to their beliefs.
"It is wrong to discriminate against members of the LGBTA community," McBane said. "We hope to get across to people that you don't know who's gay and who's not. Many people are forced to live in this extreme closet, and that's wrong. We shouldn't have to be silent."
Those who participated in the event were protesting the harassment, prejudice and discrimination lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people and their allies face. Everyone who participated in the event joined together in the silence, echoing the silence that LGBTA faces.
"Think about the people they aren't hearing and try to echo the silence," McKenzie said.
The National Day of Silence was founded in 1996 at the University of Virginia. The event was so successful that Maria Pulzetti, a freshman at UVA, decided to make it a national event. The event, which started with 150 participants in the beginning, grew to tens of thousands participating all over the nation.
All participants have one goal to get across; that there will no longer be a toleration of discrimination against the LGBTA.
The National Day of Silence is one of the largest student-led events that promotes creating safer schools for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
"This event will show people who abuse that homophobic remarks won't be tolerated," McKenzie said. "It will let people see what it would be like if our voices were silenced."
The LGBTA posted many flyers around campus and handed some out at Weisenfluh during common hour on Tuesday. They had hoped to receive the support of those on campus during the day of silence.
Crystal Hawkins, a member of the LGBTA, said she felt posting flyers was important to gain the favor of students.
"We posted flyers all over (campus) to try to get lots of people to support it," Hawkins said.
The LGBTA are not the only people who participated in the event. Anyone who strongly agrees with the issue was encouraged to participate. More support for the event means that more of a difference was made.
Although the National Day of Silence is now over, there is a Web site for anyone interested in learning more; www.dayofsilence.org.
