Silence spoke volumes Wednesday. Gays, Bisexuals, Lesbians, Supporters United members stood in Free Speech Alley wearing black cotton T-shirts with one, simple word spray painted on them: “Silenced.” GBLSU members quietly passed out 65 free T-shirts and 800 leaflets in support of the National Day of Silence, a youth protest movement. While some students passed the GBLSU table in Free Speech Alley, others stopped in their tracks to read the red and blue leaflets given to them by the organization’s members. “Please understand my reasons for not speaking today,” the leaflet reads. “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.” GBLSU hosted the first “Break the Silence” event at the Women’s Center on Wednesday evening. The event was an informal discussion about the LGBT presence on campus and in society. “It’s in part to serve as a follow-up to the Day of Silence and also in part to do what it’s pretty much doing right now – bringing two communities together that wouldn’t normally come together in this type of setting,” LBGT president Jennifer Vitter said. Vitter said she was pleased with the turnout. Noel Novelo, aquaculture graduate student, was one of about 30 students who attended “Break The Silence.” “It’s very good to see a group of people coming together because in other countries this wouldn’t exist,” he said. Rebecca Sisson, communication studies junior, said her generation is more open to the idea of “coming out” than previous generations. “I think as long as you’re open about it, and you’re OK with it, I don’t think people would really care,” she said. “The Day of Silence is cool because it brings attention to the situation.”
—–Contact Angelle [email protected]