The Gay/Straight Alliance sponsored a Day of Silence in support of equal rights (Danielle Fulmer/The Current).
Two young middle school students leave for school one afternoon. One never returns home. The national Day of Silence was formed to honor this young man because he, a middle school child, was a victim of a hate crime and was murdered for his sexual orientation.
In April MCC Longview participated in the national youth movement called DOS, the National Day of Silence. DOS is intended to make students aware of the silence that is faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBT).
Participants placed tape over their mouths in order to show their support for those who have suffered from anti-LGBT bullying and harassment.
The group believes that “ending the silence that surrounds these issues is the first step to building awareness.”
Outside of Lakeside Café, students passed by, some without even a glance at the bold red tape that was shutting the mouths of a table full of people, while others stopped to ask questions. Some students laughed and make derogatory jokes about the LGBT community; others were okay with the project.
“I am for gay rights,” said Casey Kemerling, a Longview student. “I’m not gay myself, but I have friends that are gay and I want them to be happy.”
“[I] don’t care as long as it doesn’t affect me. If they are happy, then I am happy,” said Marcus Britton, a student sitting next to the DOS table.
April 21, 2009
Campus