According to a report compiled by PFLAG Phoenix, gay and lesbian students hear anti-gay slurs as often a 26 times a day, and they are the most common victims of hate crimes. One of the most significant of the hate crimes is the story of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old homosexual student at the University of Wyoming, who was harassed and beaten to death in 1998. The tragic event brought awareness to hate crimes, as well as to other forms of harassment towards gays. While homosexual harassment has not been eliminated in its entirety, it has diminished due to current programs designated to raise awareness.
The Day of Silence, which has been held every April since 1996, has become one of the largest programs to help create safer schools for all, regardless of sexuality and gender issues, according to its website.
April 16, 2010 marks the 14th-annual Day of Silence. This year, the event is dedicated to Carl Walker-Hoover, who took his life after enduring constant bullying, including anti-LGBT bullying. While Walker-Hoover did not identify as gay, his story was a tragic reminder that anti-LGBT bullying and harassment affects all students.
Luis Medina, president of BU's Gay Straight Alliance, hopes to bring more diversity and engagement between the staff, faculty and students with this year's Day of Silence on campus.
"In the words of the Public Relations Ben Deivert, ‘The Day of Silence is the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education's Network's (GLSEN) annual day of action to protest the bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students and their supporters," said Medina.
The LGBT Commission and GSA asks that individuals, homosexual or heterosexual, show their support by taking part in Friday's Day of Silence. Students are also encouraged to purchase a "Gay, Fine by Me" t-shirt and wear their shirt on the Day of Silence. Individuals often wear tape over their mouths to show their support more publically and make a statement for the cause.
"We carry a card that explains the reason of why we are silent and not just ignoring them," said Medina.
The Day of Silence is the last event of Ally Week, which went on from April 12-16.
"Ally Week is a week where LGBT individuals stress and recognize the community's allies and ends with the Day of Silence," said Medina. "It was organized for the purpose of celebrating our allies for their support and for being a powerful voice for equality."
During Ally Week, several events were held to get students involved in the cause. Events included Monday night's Drag Show, Tuesday's movie showing of "Prom Queen," and Wednesday's Coffee House event.
If you missed those events, there are still two days left. Tonight at 8 p.m., in McCormick 2314, there will be a "Glow in the Dark Masquerade," where students can meet and greet in the dark. This teaches students to look beyond their physical differences. And Friday will be Gay Aquarium/Cake Day, where students can see what a homosexual does in everyday life and dive into some delicious cake on the BU Quad at 2 p.m. Be sure to "break the silence" at 4:30 p.m. as a close to Ally wWek and the Day of Silence.
For more information regarding the LGBT Commission or GSA, check their website at http://departments.bloomu.edu/lgbt/.
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