Hush Hush, Voices Carry

Alicia Nguyen

The Signal Staff

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” International and Intercultural Student Services challenges this belief advocating “words are powerful, painful and potentially deadly.”

Students worldwide came together April 16 to embrace the 14th annual Day of Silence, a national youth movement bringing attention to the bullying faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people and their friends. On this day students took a vow of silence to raise awareness of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in their school.

“The National Day of Silence is important because the LGBT community suffers oppression, discrimination, and harassment throughout our country and specifically in our educational system from middle school and high school to college campuses as well,” said Stephen Erich, BSW program director “The National Day of Silence is now recognized across high schools and college campuses across the country. It’s difficult to estimate its impact on bullying and harassment on campuses. However, the fight for equal rights is never easy or quick and all of us that care about such things need to persevere and continue the good fight.”

This was the first time students at the University of Houston-Clear Lake participated in a National Day of Silence. A panel discussion will be led by Gary Adams, UHCL career and counseling services, and Kim Case, assistant professor of women’s studies and psychology, at 5:30-6 p.m., April 19, in the Garden Room.

The discussion will include information about the most common form of bullying: micro-aggressions. These are little, non-physical actions that affect people, like slanderous comments such as “that’s so gay.”

“It’s always disparaging to hear phrases such as ‘that’s so gay’ thrown around so rampantly in society,” said Anthony Nguyen, Unity member and communication student. “The use of ‘gay’ as a superlative pejorative was something that was understandable/expected amongst 7th graders in the 1990s, not 20-somethings in 2010, still.

“I do realize that not everybody intends to put down homosexuals when they use the label,” Nguyen continued. “However, to me, I see that as a cop-out excuse.  Virtually every instance of the word ‘gay’ used as default-adjective for ‘lame’ or ‘stupid’ originated from the notion that to label someone as ‘gay/homosexual’ is the utmost insult. Many will claim that it’s simply something they have grown accustom to – an automatic, knee-jerk remark – and that it is said with absolutely no homophobic undertones. Yet, regardless of your intentions in using the word, as long as it’s uttered in conjunction with a belittling statement, it will continue to have the negative association that has been applied to homosexuals.”

Theses feelings are not limited to the student body. Members of UHCL faculty and staff have strong feelings as well.

“The most important aspect of the event is that we want to give people a space to discuss these issues openly,” Case said. “The more we raise awareness of these issues among students, teachers and administrators in the school systems, the more we change the school climate and culture around what is acceptable behavior. This day brings awareness with regard to targeted harassment, prejudice and discrimination faced by LGBT students. When schools participate, they are telling all students that bullying is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

Surveys show having anti-harassment policies in schools ­– especially those that deal with sexual orientation or gender identity – can be connected to students feeling safer at school.

“These students don’t have a voice when it comes to bullying or harassment” said Julie Smith, coordinator of women’s and LGBT services. “This day they can all come together and take a stand.”

There will be a panel display in Atrium II, level 2 exhibiting general information about Day of Silence, or check out www.dayofsilence.org for more information about the event worldwide.

Shortlink: