Walking around campus today, don’t be surprised to see some students being rather quiet.
The Gay Straight Alliance club here at Lyndon State is putting on a “Day of Silence” in protest to Gay and Lesbian bullying around the world. According to dayofsilence.org, “The National Day of Silence is a day of action in which students across the country vow to take a form of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools. “
The Day of Silence began in 1996 at the University of Virginia and has appeared in over 8,000 middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities across the country.
Torrance Gaucher, a member of the GSA here at LSC thinks this is a great idea, ” It’s going to be really awesome, people need to be aware of what takes place, and this will be a great start.”
Ashley Squires, the Treasurer of the GSA club agrees with Torrance, saying by email, “I think it’s a great way to try and put a stop to bullying. If people see others participating, they will be more willing to find out what it is about and hopefully want to participate themselves.”
She continued to say “There are thousands of people out there who have been a victim of bullying, whether it’s because they are part of the LGBT community or because they are just different… and it’s not alright. Taking a stand and participating in something this huge is a way of saying that it’s enough, we want it to stop, and that we want to see changes.”
Students around campus who participate in this Day of Silence will likely wear Duck Tape on their mouths and vow not to speak the entire day. The can chose to just wear the duck tape, or write messages on it to show people why they are participating.
Students may also wear pins to show their support for the matter even if they cannot participate in silence.
“It’s going to be hard to do, not talk, but if it can put just a little knowledge out there, it will be worth it.” Concluded Gaucher.