Activities in support of the Day of Silence, a national effort focusing on discrimination of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, will be held April 10 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
An orientation session also will be held on April 9 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hellems Arts and Sciences Building, room 201.
According to Bruce Smail, director of CU-Boulder's GLBT Resource Center, the National Day of Silence provides an opportunity for the CU-Boulder community to highlight voices silenced on college campuses.
"This vow of silence is a very powerful experience for participants who support equality and protest the discrimination of GLBT people and their allies," Smail said.
"Silent participants will 'speak' by passing out cards that explain the reason for their silence. This peaceful and silent action will create awareness around GLBT issues."
A student at the University of Virginia, Maria Pulzetti, first conceived the Day of Silence in 1996 after writing a paper on nonviolent protest and grassroots organizing. Since then the project has grown to include hundreds of groups and thousands of students in high schools and colleges nationwide. For more information on the history of the Day of Silence, visit the Web site at
Following is the schedule of sessions for the Boulder campus:
* April 9, Hellems, room 201: Orientation session, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
* April 10, Hellems, room 199: "Capturing the Silence," 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., "Breaking the Silence," 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and "Moving Forward," 6 pm. to 7 p.m.
* Speaking cards will be available at the GLBT Resource center in Willard Hall, room 227, beginning April 3.
National Day of Silence activities are sponsored by the GLBT Resource Center, the department of Housing, Counseling and Psychological Services: A Multicultural Center, the LGBT Studies Certificate Program, the Building Community Campaign, United Ministries in Higher Education and the Chancellor's Standing Committee on GLBT Issues.