National Day of Silence recognizes gay struggles

Approximately 50 people gathered Wednesday at 5 p.m. around the William Pitt Union’s porch on… Approximately 50 people gathered Wednesday at 5 p.m. around the William Pitt Union’s porch on Bigelow Boulevard in recognition of the end of a Day of Silence.

The silence was intended to symbolize everyday instances in which gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people remain silent about their orientation, for fear of a negative response.

Later in the evening, a speak-out in the Union’s Lower Lounge afforded opportunity for any of the 60 people in attendance to take the microphone and share his or her thoughts or feelings on the issue. Many of those who spoke shared stories of discrimination that they faced upon coming out.

Last year, more than 100,000 students nationwide participated in the Day of Silence, according to freshman Catherine Speirs, the office administrator for Rainbow Alliance.

Participants in the Day of Silence, who were not limited to those of GLBT orientation, wore stickers and carried cards asking that they be excused from vocal participation in classes.

One participant, sophomore Brian Andersen, said when he showed his card to a teacher, she spoke on the issue in front of her class for about 15 minutes, and seemed to have tears in her eyes.

Junior Andrea DeChellis said when she attended Moon Area High School, “we were still taught that homosexuality was a mental disease.”

Rainbow Alliance and the Community Gay-Straight Alliance sponsored the Day of Silence, which was part of Pride Week, an event intended to raise awareness about opportunities and support systems for GLBT individuals in the community.

Pride Week is a nationwide event, which, for colleges, takes place this week.

The occasion also included a performance by the band Haven, which took place before the speak-out.