NATIONAL DAY OF SILENCE AT UNC

The GLBT-SA at UNC invited students to participate in the National Day of Silence movement on April 15th. National Day of Silence is an annual day of action to bring attention to the continued use of LGBT slurs, bullying, harassment, unfriendly discussions in classrooms and institutions.

Students were encouraged to take a vow of silence to symbolically represent LGBT students, supporters and those who cannot speak for themselves. Solidarity shown through the collective voicelessness of supporters fosters further discussion and calls attention to anti-LGBT behavior. The Day of Silence has become the largest single student-led action toward creating safer schools for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Students who stopped by the tables during the week were also given red (AIDS awareness), purple (anti-bullying) and rainbow (GLBT pride) ribbons (for solidarity and support) and a badge to wear so they wouldn't have to explain themselves. Faculty and staff were made aware of the day through departmental emails, but students were encouraged to contact their teachers to facilitate cooperation in the classrooms. Not every professor would be as respectful of the movement though.

MIDDAY IMPROV SIT DOWN DEMONSTRATION

The GLBT-SA were tabled in The Union and around campus, selling t-shirts and buttons to raise money for The Wrenn House of Raleigh. Anyone who bought a t-shirt was also given instructions to show up at The Pit at 1pm wearing their shirts and buttons, bringing a sack lunch. It is a silent movement, to show strength in numbers. Anyone else participating, even though they didn't buy a shirt would be welcome to join in for the 30-60 minute demonstration.

BEACH PARTY

The beach party took place outside the Union from 5-7pm, at the end of the official hours of silence. Beach attire was encouraged but not required. For refreshments they had a few different flavors of ice cream, a variety of toppings, sodas and juices set up on tables off to the side. The president of the UNC GLBT-SA had a speech prepared for the first 20 or so minutes, thanking and congratulating everyone on a job well done as well as introducing the Wrenn House (where the proceeds will be donated) and their mission. Afterwards there would be music, games (apples to apples, cards, limbo, frisbee, ping pong, volleyball, etc.), raffle drawings for prizes (donated from local businesses, chain restaurants, movie theaters, candy shops and Caribou Coffee for the students, as well as the health center and such) and group discussions where people could volunteer to share their experiences, get advice and opinions, ask questions, or just listen.