The University of Idaho LGBTQA community will attempt to make themselves heard 12:30-1:30 p.m. Friday in the Free Speech Zone with a silent demonstration.
Friday is the national Day of Silence, which recognizes the challenges faced by gay, lesbian and transgender people, especially name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools.
Julia Keleher | Courtesy
Students participate in the Day of Silence in the Idaho Commons Food Court in 2011.
UI LGBTQA Office Director Julia Keleher said she knows it can be difficult for people to be silent for a day, because of school or work or other obligations that may not allow for that choice to be made. She said that”s why she said the one-hour demonstration was created.
Keleher said pre-made signs will be available for anyone who wishes to join the group, as well as materials to make additional signs.
“One of the best ways you can make change is by educating people who will go out and educate other people,” Keleher said.
Keleher said 42 percent of LGBT people report living in an unwelcoming environment, and 15 percent of transgender people report having to teach their own doctors how to treat them safely and effectively. She said these are just a few statistics that will be displayed on the signs at the demonstration.
“It”s always really nice and encouraging when allies or even people to just want to learn more, that they come to our events and learn more,” said Jason Swanby, president of the UI Gender and Sexuality Alliance.
Swanby said he knows people who have dealt with the effects of being silenced, and that it is an ongoing battle that too many people have lost.
“That”s part of the silencing effect,” Swanby said. “People taking their own lives, or attempting to, because of the harassment that they face or even the looks they get or being isolated due identity.”
Keleher said about 41 percent of transgender individuals have tried to commit suicide, compared to about 4 percent of the general population. She said she thinks spreading awareness can help.
“People need to understand the vast importance of this,” Keleher said. “For some people it”s life or death.”
Swanby said it”s always encouraging when allies or interested people visit events, because the main goal for him is to spread awareness.
“I like to think that if we inspire people to care about something that they haven”t thought about for a while, they will be reminded that they do care about the community,” Swanby said.
In the meantime, Keleher said it”s important to her to make safe spaces available for all.
“And at UI, we”re doing a good job,” she said.
Diamond Koloski can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @diamond_uidaho