Friday marked the nationally recognized Day of Silence, and hundreds of students gathered in the Historical Society building on Library Mall to march to the Capitol in an expression of support for increased tolerance for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
The “Break the Silence” march was organized by the University of Wisconsin’s LGBT Campus Center. The rally aimed to raise awareness and promote communication about violence against the LGBT community.
More than 1,000 students and supporters turned out for the march to the Capitol. Students from around the UW System who were bussed in free of charge bolstered the number of attendees.
In recognition of the Day of Silence, attendees made the march to the Capitol in silence. Some rally attendees hoisted signs with slogans expressing tolerance while others were dressed in costumes or held large flags as a show of support.
Onlookers braving the elements lined the sidewalks on State Street to watch the procession. Marchers received cheers of support from some as they passed and also encountered the occasional sign in opposition to the cause.
When the procession reached the Capitol, activists screamed simultaneously in order to symbolically break the silence. Events in front of the Capitol included performances by student groups and speeches from LGBT rights activists from across the country.
Kasandra Brown, LGBT Campus Center leadership and involvement coordinator, said the event was organized to send a strong and united message that certain negative actions are unacceptable.
“We need to let the public know that the level of homophobia and general intolerance is disgusting,” said Brown, a UW sophomore.
The rally was a part of the LGBT Campus Center’s campus-wide anti-bullying campaign. The UW Foundation, as well as many other anti-harassment organizations from around the state helped to fund the campaign.
Chancellor Biddy Martin – herself a proud member of the LGBT community – endorsed the rally in a letter of support, writing that although there is no simple solution to LGBT intolerance, rallies like the one on Friday are opportunities for the UW community to show compassion and support for a serious issue.
The UW LGBT Campus Center has hosted other rallies like the one Friday, although “Break the Silence” proved to be the largest. The center previously promoted a march in October to raise awareness about recent LGBT suicides as a result of prolonged harassment.
UW freshman RJ Hayes said he attended the rally in hopes of helping to end negative stigmas and to show support for efforts to discourage homophobic and transphobic harassment.
“It is extremely important for students to be aware that it happens everyday, and too often LGBT issues get put on the back burner,” Hayes said.
Hayes added that efforts from UW organizations like the LGBT Campus Center are making a significant impact in the battle to get students informed and make UW an increasingly “gay friendly” community in Wisconsin.
The rally was a part of the LGBT Campus Center Out and About Month held during April, which includes 25 events around campus to promote tolerance and awareness of LGBT issues.
