Students all across the U.S. will take a vow of silence on April 19.
These students will be silent to protest any type of bullying against members of the LGBT community.
Day of Silence is a student-led national event that brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Students from middle school to college take a vow of silence in an effort to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior.
“[Day of Silence] is important because there are still people out there who continue to harass and bully the LGBT community,” said Shanell Johnson, a senior communication major from San Diego. Johnson is the event-coordinator for the Dixie State University Gay-Straight Alliance.
David Columbus, a freshman art major from Los Angeles, said acknowledging Day of Silence becomes important when people note the diversity of friends, family and classmates and the struggles that hinder them.
“[LGBT bullying and harassment] is something that is happening and it might [be to] a close friend of yours; it can be a relative,” he said.
Columbus said Day of Silence is a great example of ways DSU’s Gay-Straight Alliance makes an impact on campus and promotes causes many students may be unaware about.
“[For] as small of a group as they are, they try to pack as big of a punch as possible,” he said.
The Dixie State University Gay-Straight Alliance is hosting a series of events for students who wish to participate in Day of Silence.
“Tape stations” will be set up around campus all day, so students can tape their mouths shut in commemoration of Day of Silence. At these stations, students can also get more information on how to stop bullying against members of the LGBT community.
The GSA will also be hosting an off-campus event at Vernon Worthen Park, located at 300 S. 400 East. The event will be a chance for DSU students, community members and high school students who participated in the Day of Silence to finally break their silence. The GSA is providing food, but anyone who comes is welcome to bring a favorite dish.
“On the Day of Silence we want to bring the issues like bullying, sexual harassment and violence against the LGBT community brought to light and show that it is not all right,” Johnson said.
