GLBT students ended their annual day of silence with a group scream on the quad. After not speaking for an entire day, a silence symbolizing marginalized GLBT people, the scream was not only an outlet for pent-up speech, but also pent-up anger.
Many students agree that AU is generally a GLBT-friendly campus and issue awareness is strong. This isn't the case, however, away from the AU bubble. While mute students depending on roommates as translators and writing notes to communicate may speak, in its own way, to this community, the same level of attention should be paid in public as well.
It is important to continue holding this annual event, but the GLBTA Resource Center could benefit from better publicity and more student involvement. ideally not just from members of the GLBT community, but their friends and activists as well. Holding the event on a Wednesday also dampened the scream's effect, because fewer classes mean fewer students on the Quad.
Logistical issues aside, this event is an important one to give voice to many who are forced into silence because of their sexual orientation.
