Bryant Story

Gay Right of Silence

“I am black, fat, and I am gay, but I am me and that will not change,” says Earnest Cooper Jr., 25, president of l.i.f.e. (love is for everyone), and gay rights activist.
“The hardest thing for me being here at Utah State is to get people to see me for me and not see me as that gay kid who needs to repent.”
According to the National School Climate Survey, four out of five LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender) students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment at school and 29% report missing at least a day of school in the past month out of fear for their personal safety.
One thing that people can do to help change these numbers is to become educated and aware of the gay community. Today marks the 12th annual national day of silence in commemoration of Lawrence King, a 15-year-old California student who was shot and killed at school in February by a 14-year-old classmate because of King’s sexual orientation.
The national day of silence is exactly what it sounds like. Every participant will take a vow of silence to help bring an end to LGBT name calling and harassment in schools across the world.
According to Dayofsilence.org this tradition began in 1996, and has become the largest student-led action towards creating safer schools for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. From the first-ever Day of Silence at the University of Virginia in 1996, to the organizing efforts in over 1,900 middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities across the country in 2002, its history reflects its diversity in both numbers and reach.
Here at Utah State the LBGT club room is located on the 3rd floor of the Taggart Student Center. When you enter the room there is a rainbow flag hanging on the wall and hundreds of books with topics ranging from gay parenting to “The Q pages, Utah’s gay and lesbian Yellow Pages.” Inside, Kristy Johnson a lesbian member of the LGBT. Today this room was filled with letter for people in support and against the national day of silence. In front of the TSC there were people with their hands tied behind their back and the tongues silenced. That is until 3 p.m. when all LGBT students and their allies will break their silence.
“I am doing this because I believe I should be able to love whomever I want and not get accused of doing something wrong,” said Kristen Johnson.