Dressed in rainbow-colored T-shirts, adults, children and students from UW-Madison as well as several Wisconsin high schools marched from Library Mall to the Capitol Wednesday for a rally to recognize the 10th annual Day of Silence.
The Day of Silence is a nationally recognized, student-led event to protest discrimination and harassment directed toward people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Students participating refrain from speaking for the whole day, and many put tape over their mouths and wore supportive shirts.
During the silent march down State Street, participants held posters with phrases such as, God wants spiritual fruits, not religious nuts,\ and ""I'm gay and my Christian mother loves me.""
According to UW-Madison junior Becky Simpkin, who works for the UW Allies organization, this rally is just as important for supporters of the LGBT community as the people who identify as LGBT.
""An ally is a friend, somebody you can turn to when you need help,"" she said.
Simpkin also said that discussing the issue of homosexuality is one of the most important steps to lessen discrimination.
""Now that we've broken the silence, we need to keep the volume up,"" she said. ""Don't stay silent, talk about it.""
Brian Juchems, program director for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network in South Central Wisconsin, which organized the rally along with UW Allies, said he was pleased at the turnout. According to GLSEN, 500,000 students at 4,000 schools participated this year. However, he said he hopes this day is no longer held in 10 years.
""Truth be told, I'm not really happy to be celebrating the Day of Silence,"" he said.
Juchems blamed school administrators and elected officials for the continued hostility towards the LGBT community and condemned the proposed amendment to ban same-sex marriage.
""They should get it that you can't learn if you don't feel safe,"" he said.
Clara, a middle school student from southwest Wisconsin, said she agreed and advocated programs in middle schools to promote tolerance.
""We need to let kids know that being gay is not a bad thing,"" she said. ""How can we be happy when there are people out there who can't show their affection in public?""
UW-Madison alumnus John Alaniz mentioned the many people who, despite the Day of Silence, are still unable to come out.
According to Alaniz, ""That's who we're really here for.""
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