Collegiate Times

It was a day for those robbed of their ability to speak.

?It became real for me, when a friend of mine, who has not come out yet, walked by and wouldn't look at us,? said Drew Foy, freshman animal science major. ?This is his day. This is for him.?

No one spoke as students filed in to participate in the culmination of LGBTA's 10th-annual day of silence, ?Breaking the Silence.?

?Don't speak yet,? began junior computer engineering major and vice president of exterior for LGBTA Michael Taczak, who organized the event. ?When I say go, you may speak to yourself, your neighbor or to no one at all.?

Once he said go, a chorus of greetings broke out in the room.

The Day of Silence was meant to honor those who are forced into silence on a daily basis because of their gender, race or sexual orientation. Participants explained their silence by showing their teachers, classmates and friends a card describing the Day of Silence, which read ?I choose to be silent for those who have no choice.?

?A lot of people don't like the Day of Silence, because abuse, discrimination and hate are things you should never be silent about,? Taczak said. ?I agree, however, sometimes actions are louder than words. Absence of words can send a louder message.?

A silent vigil was also held on the Drillfield during the day. Signs were placed all around the participants asking passerby to be silent in order to eliminate hatred. During ?Breaking the Silence,? students reflected about their experiences on the Drillfield and going through their daily activities.

The participants shared that the student response was mixed. There were expressions of appreciation and encouragement but there were also disgusted looks and even some students actively making noise to try to detract from the vigil.

?The hardest part of remaining silent for me was when people were being crass, nonchalant or purposefully loud,? said senior French major Carl Lyon. ?I really wanted to tell them to show some respect - That's what this day's about.?

Despite the rudeness, some participants felt the event was more effective than in years past. The silence got discussion moving, Taczak said.

?I've participated in this event before, and I've always really appreciated the poetry of the message that it's sending,? Lyon said. ?We're assuming the pain and anguish other people are feeling. We're taking the burden off their shoulders.?

Some teachers even took a moment of silence in classes to observe the cause. One of the day's highlights was when Janet Steger, President Steger's wife, joined the vigil, Taczak said.

The national Day of Silence began at UVa ten years ago. The LGBTA has been holding the event at Virginia Tech for several years now, but last year it was rained out, Taczak said. This year, supporters braved the rain to stand on the Drillfield.

The event was a different way for the LGBTA to get their message across.

?I do think it's a good event-its sort of opposite of everything we do,? Taczak said. ?Switching things up can be very effective.?

Despite a good turnout, there was some negative reaction. Taczak shared an email where the writer said the LGBTA was a group of loud, crass people and the day of silence was a relief.

?There is still work that needs to be done,? Taczak said.

Overall, the participants felt they were able to honor those forced into silence.