People can talk without speaking, and people can hear without listening.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students used this premise Wednesday to celebrate the National Day of Silence at the University.
The National Day of Silence shows the presence and importance of the LGBT community within the larger community.
Gays, Bisexuals, Lesbians and Supporters United – one of the University’s two LGBT organizations – organized a table Wednesday in Free Speech Plaza, where they distributed literature and demonstrated their pledge not to speak.
According to Dayofsilence.org, the Day of Silence falls on the last Wednesday in April and is the largest student-led action aimed to create safer schools for all students regardless of sexual orientation. The first Day of Silence was held at the University of Virginia in 1996.
GBLSU’s commemoration of the Day of Silence is part of a movement of 500,000 students and 4,000 schools, according to the Web site.
“It’s open to any members or supporters of the community,” Jennifer Fleming, former president of GBLSU, wrote on a note pad in Free Speech Plaza on Wednesday. “Members of GBLSU made shirts at the [GBLSU] meeting last night. So far, as far as handling out information, it has been GBLSU members.”
Fleming, marine biology senior, wrote that the silent protesters in Free Speech Plaza received mixed reactions.
“Students have been fairly warm,” Fleming wrote. “We’ve had a couple of cruel comments, but generally the students who take cards are nice about it and don’t make a big deal.”
But she wrote that most students reacted positively.
“Some [students] have even given their verbal appreciation for what we’re doing,” Fleming wrote.
The rainy weather Wednesday morning did not deter the silent protesters.
“The rain, as of this morning, looked like it might hamper us, but we decided to be out here and dodge whatever rain may come,” Daniel Guillot, former GBLSU vice president, wrote on a notepad.
GBLSU organized the silent presence in Free Speech Alley for several reasons.
“Part of the goal of the Day of Silence is to spread awareness about the problems LGBT youth and families face due to discrimination,” Fleming wrote.
Fleming wrote that she hopes the organization’s presence communicates a strong message about the campus’s LGBT community.
“Ideally, if you have enough people to participate, you have a large voice on campus suddenly silent for a day, which can be a very powerful tool of realization for those not in the LGBT community,” Fleming wrote.
Guillot wrote that the impact depends on every member of the campus community.
“In essence I’m doing what I can to help our cause in some way, however small,” Guillot wrote.
Fleming wrote that remaining silent for a whole day is challenging.
“It’s definitely hard to be silent for the day,” Fleming wrote. “It’s a lot harder to communicate any needs, or even just thoughts to friends or by-passers.”
The LGBT members who pledged silence have the opportunity to see more in the environment around them.
“This is my first year to really participate, and while it’s been tough, I think it helps gain a different perspective on your surroundings,” Fleming wrote.
Guillot is not only pledging silence but is limiting his online communication as well.
“It can be rather rough to not talk for a whole day,” Guillot wrote. “I can be rather opinionated, so that really adds to the challenge.”
Though they remained silent, the GBLSU members still made noise in Free Speech Plaza, distributing more than 500 fliers. Guillot wrote that the group spreads an important message.
“In some cases, the silence helps to drive home the point that this is something that matters to me,” Guillot wrote. “When we drop out of conversations for a day and educate others about the day, it helps others realize what we go through on a daily basis.”
 
Contact Justin Fritscher at [email protected]