ECU participates in National Day of Silence

GREENVILLE, N.C.   —   East Carolina University recognizes the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community with a series of events this week, culminating in the National Day of Silence, April 17. 

The National Day of Silence is the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s (GLSEN) annual day of action to protest the bullying and harassment of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community and their supporters. The event takes place on campuses across the country. 

At ECU, students, faculty members and staff will take a vow of silence for the entire day or a portion of the day to symbolically represent the silencing of the LGBT community and their allies. 

Participants will meet at the top of College Hill at 2:30 p.m. for a “March of Silence. The march will proceed to the Free Speech Zone at the Cupola, where participants will “Break the Silence” at 3 p.m.

Sponsors for the ECU event include the ECU GLBT Student Union, College of Human Ecology, ECU Student Health Services, Ledonia Wright Cultural Center and the Office of Institutional Diversity. 

The week’s activities are as follows:

• April 14, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. – Information Table at Destination 360 and Wright Plaza, sponsored by ECU GLBT Student Union.
• April 15, 6 p.m.- 7:45 p.m. – “Gender Redesigner” Film and Discussion in Hendrix Theatre in Mendenhall Student Center.
• April 16, 6 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. – Panel Discussion: “Do We Need to Change Hate Crime Laws to Include the GLBT Community?” in Bate 1031.
• April 17, 2:30 p.m. – National Day of Silence. Supporters will meet at the top of College Hill for a “March of Silence” then “Break the Silence” at the Free Speech Zone at 3 p.m.

Events are free and open to the public. For more information contact the Office of Institutional Diversity at (252) 328-45731 or diversity@ecu.edu.