April 10, 2008 | LOGAN — Get ready for the Utah State University campus to be a little quieter. Students at USU will join students across the nation in "Day of Silence" Friday, April 25, to protest the discrimination, harassment and abuse ­ in effect, the silencing ­ faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and their allies in schools.

Day of Silence, a project of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, will be held during school hours at Utah State University.

"The Day of Silence is especially relevant to Utah State University," said local organizer Kevin Olsen, a freshman in mechanical engineering. "It helps get our message out to a conservative campus that may not always recognize the diversity of its students, faculty and staff."

More than 50 participants will be silent that day and wear stickers and pass out ‘speaking cards' that read:

"Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. 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 in schools. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by harassment, prejudice and discrimination. I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward fighting these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today. What are you going to do to end the silence?"

"This day will highlight both the intentional and unintentional silencing of USU's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Ally (GLBTA) population," said Maure Smith, program coordinator of USU GLBTA Services. "We hope the event will work toward ending some of the silence and hatred students face."

GLSEN's 2003 National School Climate Survey found that more than four out of five LGBT students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment at school, and 29 percent report missing at least a day of school in the past month out of fear for personal safety. The Day of Silence is just one way students and their allies are making anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and name-calling unacceptable in American schools, said Smith.

Information booths about the event will be available on the USU Taggart Student Center patio Wednesday and Thursday, April 23 and 24, from noon to 3 p.m. Those interested may pick up speaking cards, stickers, learn about how to participate and sign a participant contract.

Day of Silence activities take place on the TSC patio and Sunburst and International Lounges from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Those participating may drop by and write down any thoughts or concerns they may be feeling. All comments will be kept confidential, and counselors will be available.

From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. those participating in Day of Silence will "Break the Silence" with noise makers or by airing frustrations and thoughts.

The Day of Silence, is a nationwide, student-led event. For more information, contact Smith, 435-797-4297, maure.smith@usu.edu. For more information about the event and for a complete collection of organizing materials, visit www.dayofsilence.org.

Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network was established in 1995, with the goal of creating a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. For more information on the networks educator resources, public policy agenda, student organizing programs or development initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.

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