National Day of Silence comes to USU

Utah State students and staff members took part today in the “National Day of Silence,” a project by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, to show their support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and ally issues across the globe.
Throughout the day, participants remained silent as a way to bring attention to anti-GLBTA harassment and to encourage schools to address related problems. “It’s amazing how loud silence is,” said Sarah Price an ally for GLBTA.
Current members of GLBTA services brought the idea to Utah State, and held sign-ups on campus two days prior to the event where over 50 people signed up to be involved. The participants received stickers and speaking cards that would serve as their only way of communication for the day.
The speaking cards that were passed out on campus read, “Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence, a national youth movement protesting the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies in schools. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by harassment, prejudice, and discrimination. I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward fighting these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today. What are you going to do to end the silence?"
While sitting silently at a table set up in the TSC, GLBTA member Kevin Olsen answered questions from a note pad about being gay at Utah State University. “Personally, being an engineering student I have had to skip class because of constant harassment I face for something I can not choose to change,” he wrote “The ‘that’s so gay’ or ‘faggot’ remarks are harsher than words, they demean diversity and peace.”
Olsen said while he suffers prejudice in some places, says he has also felt enormous amounts of support. “I am thankful for those that support me being gay and me being a human being.”
Another participant, Mitchell Watson, who came out when he was 12-years-old, says that he rarely feels hatred from others. “For the most part USU has been very accepting of me and my lifestyle,” he wrote “the support (for Day of silence) has been great. Professors have stopped by and many people just waving have made us want to thank them.”
The day of silence came to an end at 3:30 p.m. as loud cheers and bursts of applause came from all around the Sunburst lounge. Next, the participants had their opportunity to share thoughts onstage.
Maure Smith, Program Coordinator of GBLTA Services told everyone how the silence reminded her just how lonely and alienating being same sex oriented can be “just because other people are silenced doesn’t mean we have to be,” she told participants.
Participant Chritina Mason explained her thoughts on standing up for love, “Its no different then standing up for civil or animal rights,” she told listeners.
Gay, Lesbian, bisexual, and straight students all took turns expressing their love, gratitude and sense of acceptance for each others choices. “Despite some of the looks of disgust and even confusion, seeing people have looks of support, knowing they were there for you makes it all worth it,” said Trevor (last name anonymous) a member of GBLTA
In the press release, Smith said, “This day will highlight both the intentional and unintentional silencing of USU’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Ally (GLBTA) population. We hope that the event will work towards ending some of the silence and hatred students’ face.”
This year marked the 12 year of the National day of Silence. The 2008 event was dedicated in remembrance of Lawrence King, a California 8th-grader who was shot and killed Feb. 12 by a classmate because of his sexual orientation and gender expression. sexual orientation and gender expression