Today is the Day of Silence!

newbie · #1 04-04-2001, 01:50 PM

Hey guys! I'm at school now, so please excuse any spelling errors as I'm trying to type as fast as I can

. Today is the Day of Silence... I was wondeirng if any one else is participating in this nationwide? I am, and so are many of my schoolmates, so my school is eerily quiet LOL...I just wanted to tell all the ppl of the gay, lesbian, and transgender community that my school and city supports and respects y'all. I want to say congratulations on always staying strong despite the hardships that you face! I would like to ask all GC's to at least take the time for a moment of silence to think about the gay, lesbian, and transgender community who has been tortured in the past, and oppressed. (For example, Matthew Shepard (sp?)of Wyoming, Dana _____ (forgot last name), a trangender teacher who was fired despite her popularity among her students.) And to all G, L, and T out there, please always keep your head up, because as evident at my school and community, you have come a long way...and we all respect you for what you have accomplished for the rights of ALL people!!!!

OK, I have to jet to class now

[This message has been edited by newbie (edited April 04, 2001).]

amycat412 · #2 04-04-2001, 01:57 PM

Well said as always Newbie. As a resident of West Hollywood, CA, I too support and repect the lifestyles of the G,L and T community. You cannot choose who you are or who you love, but you can embrace it and enjoy life, cause its too damn short to deny who you really are--straight, gay--it doesn't matter, we are all human.

Amy

Theta-cutie · #3 04-04-2001, 02:07 PM

I too am very busy now (at work sneaking a peek at GC) but....to all the G,L, and T community...we all LOVE you guys for what you have done for America...fighting for your rights and showing the U.S. that they better stick to their Declaration of Independence, which states that "all men shall be created equal!" So many minority groups have been silenced by the Government; yet the G, L, and T community continues to fight for what is right. And I am soo proud of you guys for that!

GREAT POSTS Newbie and Theta. I had no idea today is the Day of Silence. SO I'm not going to talk today

. I'm gonna write things and show them to my boss.

G,L, and T's, you have accomplished a great deal...DO NOT listen to what anti-G's, L's, and T's say...b/c as Amy said, who you are is who you are, and if they don't get it, than who's the ignorant one?!!!

Thanks Amy for the reminder about how precious life is, and how we should live to the fullest, enjoying EVERY moment of it!!!

[This message has been edited by Theta-cutie (edited April 04, 2001).]

sammie17 · #4 04-04-2001, 11:10 PM

Thanks Newbie for informing all of us GreekChatters

.

At my school, we actually have that, too. It was today also! We each (who participated) held a paper (which we showed to our professors, students, or anyone else who tried to talk to us) which said something about "Please respect our decisions to stay silent today...b/c we support the L,G,and T community...and we're tired of the wrongful oppression that they receive...you hear the silence...what can YOU do about the SILENCE?"

I don't know if those slips were the same nationwide or not, but I'm glad that I participated--b/c the L,G, and T community on our campus was so grateful! It was so WORTH it to see a lot of ppl irritated at me b/c I wouldn't speak! But I mean, gosh, really...it wasn't a sacrifice at all..b/c if we non-L, G, and T's don't start doing something to show a big round of support to them...when will things in America finally change? I know that many ppl think that America is a great country, maybe even the greatest country in the whole world...but if we cannot even respect our own people, how great are we really? WHEN will L's, G's, and T's FINALLY get equal chance and respect? When will their fellow Americans finally remember the Declaration of Independence, which stated that "all men shall be created equal...that they have certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness..."? Or do we sometimes just "forget" the Declaration of Independence? I don't think that day of equality is going to come until non-L's, G's, and T's stand up for that community...so please I urge y'all--do something positive for the L,G, and T Community--b/c each person deserves a fulfilling life--free from oppression of what s/he feels, thinks, says...

We are all people, and we only have one life to live. Why torture somebody when he only has one life to live? We already have our own problems...so anti-gays, anti-lesbians, anti-trangenders...why don't you focus on YOUR OWN problems instead of oppressing the L, G, and T community, who deserves to have a happy life??!! Please think about that. And to all who have participated in the Day of Silence, or those who have taken the moment to THINK at least, about those that have been hurt by homophobics...I THANK YOU. You are making the world a better place by doing so.

I'm sorry if I sound a bit emotional; I have friends that are gay, and they have suffered a great deal of hatred...anything from poking fun to death threats. I hate to see them live in fear every day. I urge you all to take action or at least think about how Gays, Transgenders, and Lesbians ought to have equal rights. So start by letting G,L, and T's know that you respect and support them by smiling if you normally do not, by making conversation if you normally just say hi, by acknowledging them if you normally avoid them. If you are brave, maybe you can stand up for them if they are being taunted. It is not hard, and will only take a few minutes each day. But it makes an enormous difference to them--maybe even more than we'll ever know.

[This message has been edited by sammie17 (edited April 05, 2001).]

Theta-cutie · #5 04-04-2001, 11:45 PM

SAMMIE WELL SAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Four thumbs up.

As always, yet another one of my Theta sisters being strong-willed, open-minded, and most of all SMART about the world!!!

I'm so sorry about your friends.

. I don't have any T, G, or L friends, but I can only imagine how much suffering they have been through. I really wish your friends the best! Tell them that this is from yet another Theta...hehe

. Theta Love, Caitlin

[This message has been edited by Theta-cutie (edited April 04, 2001).]

dc1 · #6 04-05-2001, 10:18 AM

Wanted to say a quick thanks to everyone..
I could make a speech on how hatred has not affected my life, but I would be lying. Though I have not had any open oposition (well, once, but it was handled swiftly - another story), I am "reminded" DAILY that I am not an equal...

Walking through a park and see a family with a child: oh, that's right, I can't adopt.

Out to eat and watch happy newlyweds kiss: oh, right. can't marry

Watching couples holding hands and kissing: oh, right. Might "offend" someone.

These are only a FEW examples of thoughts that are continuously in my mind. It's nice to have a "day" where everyone is silent for the rites of the Gay Lesbian Transgender community (rather ,the GLBT Nation-as we span every country, race, and religion); but know that YEARS of improvement are yet to be tackled.

------------------
Faced with the Divine, I was asked; "What one gift do you seek?"
I answered ever so meekly; "I seek Honor, Truth, Integrity, and Wisdom, yet those are four. How am I to choose?"
The answer came as a pounding whisper; "The four you seek are but one. I grant thee Compassion; for without it the four make none."
Author - me

[This message has been edited by dc1 (edited April 05, 2001).]

bubbles17 · #7 04-05-2001, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammie17:
So start by letting G,L, and T's know that you respect and support them by smiling if you normally do not, by making conversation if you normally just say hi, by acknowledging them if you normally avoid them. If you are brave, maybe you can stand up for them if they are being taunted. It is not hard, and will only take a few minutes each day. But it makes an enormous difference to them--maybe even more than we'll ever know.

Sammie, and all others who have posted, I thank you guys on behalf of my L, and G friends who have suffered SOO much! Sammie, your quote is so true. Why can't anti-Gays, Lesbians, and Transgenders UNDERSTAND that it takes only so little to help improve relations? Why can't they understand that it HURTS so much to not be ACCEPTED who you are. Why can't they understand that G, L, and Ts all have emotions, too, LIKE ANY FRICKIN OTHER HUMAN. Sheesh. Why can't they understand that just a little action (like sneering or staring) hurts them so much, just like it would hurt the Non-Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Colmmunity?

I am only a HS student, just like Newbie.

. But it's amazing how cruel HS kids can be. I have been friends of L's and G's ever since preschool, only they had never come "out" until just 2 years ago. I have always loved them for being there for me, and my love for them has never changed. They will always be my buddies from preschool that I have become best friends with, all throughout these years of schooling. I will always be there for them, though I myself have also experienced discrimination.

People laugh at me, a non-G, L, or T, for standing by them b/c supposedly they are the "outsiders" at my school. Yet, I remain strong. I used to be part of the "popular" clique. Now, I'm just who I am...and that's staying LOYAL TO MY DEAR FRIENDS, who just HAPPEN to be part of the G, L, and T nation. My best friends happen to be them, and they have always stood by me. Why should I ever have to change my attitudes towards them to conform to the "popular opinion"? Why should ANY friendships be destroyed just b/c you find out your friend is gay, lesbian, or transgendered?

Why aren't G,L, and Ts finally allowed to live like any other functioning human? It's just not fair. Sometimes I MYSELF even start hating the world...b/c it's so tough to see my friends suffer like that. A good day can be turned upside down with a stare of disapproval from a non-L, G, or T. It sucks so bad. You really don't know how much they suffer, till you see it w/your own eyes. And to think that my friends are in high school--which are supposed to be the happiest years of our lives--and go home depressed b/c someone has made fun of them b/c of differing sexualities and beliefs.

Thank you Newbie for starting this thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately, it seems like GreekChat is segregated as well.

. I wish more replies would come; then I could show my L and G friends just how much they are supported and loved. And to all that have replied, I thank you, b/c I can't wait to tell my G and L friends that they are being supported!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DC1, I commend you for being your true self and showing yourself to the world. I am so sorry that you ahve suffered so; I just would like to wish you the best through everything. Please realize that the world is a FRICKIN CRAPPY place a lot of the times. (Sorry.) And please, please surround yourself with friends that LOVE you for who you are!!! B/c you sound like a great person, and I'm glad that you have not turned your back to your true self.

[This message has been edited by bubbles17 (edited April 05, 2001).]

bubbles17 · #8 04-05-2001, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammie17:
I know that many ppl think that America is a great country, maybe even the greatest country in the whole world...but if we cannot even respect our own people, how great are we really? WHEN will L's, G's, and T's FINALLY get equal chance and respect? When will their fellow Americans finally remember the Declaration of Independence, which stated that "all men shall be created equal...that they have certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness..."? Or do we sometimes just "forget" the Declaration of Independence?

Sammie, we also just discussed this issue in History class today...and it got kinda heated, unfortunately! Some people will just not admit that America is flawed...

How can we make our country better when people will not admit that they are wrong?

prdlocal · #9 04-05-2001, 08:41 PM

You guys just make me want to smile....

carrot · #10 04-05-2001, 10:21 PM

I am SO proud of my fellow chatters. You guys took the words right outta my mouth!

To all the G,L, and T nation--plase remember that we respect y'all, as made obvious by these so-eloquent posts! I am so proud to be a Greek...look at the amount of sincerity this post has received ! And G,L,and T please never ever give up--even when the future looks bleak. B/C humanity needs to see you strong.

We have so much respect for all the trials and tribulations y'all have faced.

Carrot

newbie · #11 04-07-2001, 09:27 PM

I am SO glad that you guys have responded to my post!!

Let me post what I carried that day:
The slip said:

*********************************************
A Day of Silence
Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights. People who are silent today believe that laws and attitudes should be inclusive of all sexual orientations. The Day of Silence is to draw attention to those who have been silenced by hatred, oppression, and prejudice. Think about the voices you are not hearing. What can YOU do to end the silence?
*********************************************

So Sammie, I guess we all carried the same slips!!!

DC1, I commend you for being true to yourself, like others have said! Please always remember that God (or whoever you believe in) loves you, like He loves everybody! And as evident here, we GC's love you, too!!!

And to others--those posts were so eloquent and well-thought-out...thank you for contributing to my thread!!!

[This message has been edited by newbie (edited April 08, 2001).]

dc1 · #12 04-08-2001, 05:11 PM

Hey ya'll! I just got back into town today and was skimming the new posts when I saw this one... I wanted to clarify my last post:

I wrote my post to get the realization out there that, while one day of silence is nice, there are years of improvements to be made and to not stop with the support after just one day..
While I appreciate everyone's supportive posts and emails (and I do really appreciate them), please understand that they aren't necessary. I have no personal problem with myself or my situation. It's my life (and a great one at that) and thats...well... it.
Show the support you have shown me to strangers; not just homosexual, but anyone who could use a little love... what a great place this world would be if everyone had love and kindness offered to them during hard times..

Keep up the love ya'll! Your priceless!

------------------
Faced with the Divine, I was asked; "What one gift do you seek?"
I answered ever so meekly; "I seek Honor, Truth, Integrity, and Wisdom, yet those are four. How am I to choose?"
The answer came as a pounding whisper; "The four you seek are but one. I grant thee Compassion; for without it the four make none."
Author - me

TemptingNugget · #13 04-11-2001, 02:17 AM

*smiles and waves*

as a silly little Lesbian that has seen her fair share of discrimination.... i just wanna say... awwwwwwww, shucks... ya'll are so friggin' sweet... i gotta little teary eyed there for a second... awwww, maaaaaan, *sniff*... you guys are so great!

------------------
"watch me bounce!"

newbie · #14 04-11-2001, 04:25 PM

Hehe, I'm glad that this post made you happy TemptingNugget! I can't even begin to tell you how happy the G, and L community at my school was that day!! They were smiling from ear to ear whenever they encountered us "silent ones." I was just so happy that finally they could be hapyp too!

DC1, I know what you mean. There is still a long ways to go...but hopefully this is just a stepping stone--and hopefully more progress can be made!

prdlocal · #15 04-12-2001, 02:12 PM

Don't forget the B's guys!

------------------
"For every lie I unlearn I learn something new..." Ani Difranco