Gay rights advocates observe
Day of Silence
By Laura Pelner
Campus
Editor
Gay rights supporters will send a message to the
world today without saying a word.
People on campus, and throughout the world, will
participate in the national Day of Silence to advocate awareness of
gay issues and to show support for those in the gay community who have
been the victims of hate and violence.
Bryan Szyper, a senior in the School of Science
and co-founder of the Purdue Equality Alliance, said the day is a national
event geared toward individuals. "I think in a lot of ways it raises
awareness in the public, but it's also a milestone or challenge for
people who participate," he said.
Those who are silent today will have cards that
explain their purpose in participating. Szyper said the card says something
to the effect of "I took a vow of silence today because gays, lesbians,
bisexuals and transgenders have been violated in the past."
For some people it is hard to partake in the day
because it forces them to be open to the public about their sexuality.
"For a lot of people that's a hard thing to do," he said. "A lot of
gays will be out but won't express it in public."
Not everyone who participates is gay, however.
Szyper is relatively vocal about his sexual orientation,
but he said he was still nervous during last year's Day of Silence.
"Even though I've got a big mouth and I'm one of the officers in a (gay)
organization on campus, it still kind of gives me butterflies in the
stomach because a lot of my classmates don't know (I'm gay) because
it's not an issue in the way I deal with them," said Szyper.
About 100 people will take part in the Day of Silence
on Purdue's campus, said Szyper.
He said usually those people are received well
and a lot of people on campus don't even know it's going on. "Nobody
has reacted poorly," said Szyper. "They don't usually react poorly in
public."
Szyper stressed the distinction between racism
and homophobia and said those who are gay, lesbian or transgendered
are in a hidden minority. "People don't know that you're necessarily
gay, but they do know that you're necessarily black," he said.
To complete the Day of Silence, participants will
hold a rally at 5 p.m. outside Hovde Hall. At the rally, people will
read stories and speak about their experiences during the day and what
it meant to them to participate, said Szyper.
The national Day of Silence and rally are part
of the events for GAYpril, a month designed to raise awareness nationwide.
The Purdue Equality Alliance will host two other events this month.
From 12 to 3 p.m. on Saturday the organization
will host a cookout at Happy Hollow Park. Szyper said 25 local businesses
donated items for the cookout, so there will be an auction. The event
is designed for everyone and food will be provided, but people should
bring side dishes or donate $4.
At 8:30 p.m. on April 19 in the Class of 1950 Lecture
Hall, the Equality Alliance will co-host the movie "But I'm a Cheerleader"
with the Purdue Student Union Board. Admission is $2.
|
