Members of MSU’s Alliance of Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender community and its supporters will be silent today, as part of Pride Week’s National Day of Silence.
The day is designed to draw attention to those who have been silenced by hatred, oppression or prejudice.
“There’s so many LBGT people who are silent and invisible everyday,” explained Doug Copeland, president of Spectrum, a caucus group that represents the east campus LBGT community. “This is a way to recognize those people.”
Copeland said although not everyone can participate in the full day which lasts until about 5 p. m., the silence is more symbolic.
Although some students will only be spending part of the day silent, the meaning is still there.
Scott Berlin, a social work graduate student, said he has to keep office hours Wednesday but he hopes while he is silent, he will make an impact.
“I think its important to be a part of Pride activities during the week, I think we’re not heard,” he said.
Berlin said he thinks Michigan is in the middle of the pack as far as equality for people of various sexual orientations, but it still has a long way to go.
Economics senior Tara O’Dowd who plans to participate in the day said homophobia, discrimination, and violence are wide-spread problems.
“I think it’s important to make visible the homophobic violence that goes on in the United States and around the world,” she said.
The National Day of Silence is recognized as part of this year’s Pride Week, five days set aside to raise awareness for the LBGT community.
“Everybody will encounter one person who isn’t talking during the day hopefully,” said Ray Langevin, a computer science and engineering sophomore. “It will make an impact when people aren’t talking.”
People participating by keeping silent today believe laws and attitudes against discrimination should be inclusive of people of all sexual orientations.
Aaron Beasley, a biochemistry and psychology junior, said he speaks out every day by wearing a pride shirt or pride jewelry.
“I’m a vocal person - I’m a big person in letting myself be known,” he said. “I feel that there are those who choose to honor the memories of those who went before them by being silent and I chose to honor their memory by speaking out.”
State News staff writer Sheena Harrison contributed to this report.
