Next week a community college in New Jersey will host its first-ever Day of Silence — an event to create awareness of bullying and harassment against LGBT students in schools. Gloucester County College will celebrate the day, conceived of by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, April 17 on its Sewell, N.J., campus, hosted by the Student Assistance Center and the college’s new gay-straight alliance. “It was a need the campus had for quite a while,” Bryan Buttler, professor and GSA advisor, said about the new club. “There were students who were coming to our campus who were having difficulty coming out or had a GSA in high school and were wondering where ours was.” Buttler said although the campus is getting more progressive, the area around the school often lacks diversity, which makes life challenging for some students. “There doesn’t seem to be a clear diverse presence or any kind of support, in particular to youth,” he said. “By breaking the silence here, we are seeing the ability for people to talk more and for students to be more aware.” Buttler said the GSA wanted to mark Day of Silence in a way that deviates from the traditional events, which typically include silent observances. “The club wanted it to be more of a celebration and a day of awareness for the campus community,” he said. “We want to show the impact the community has nationwide and talk about some of the negatives, like bullying and homelessness, but also be very supportive and have a sense of fellowship to go along with it.” The Attic Youth Center’s Bryson Institute will be on campus to discuss LGBT issues. “I think there is a tolerance building in the country, but with LGBTQ people, there is still that guardedness when you walk into a space,” said Bryson Institute director Kelly Kroehle. “The Day of Silence is a preventative event that says, ‘We want you to know this is a safe space.’” The organization will bring two youth to the event who will help facilitate a discussion and a “speak out” for LGBTs to share their stories. Kroehle said she hopes the event brings attention to LGBT issues on campus. “We want to jumpstart a conversation and be the first people who come in and say ‘LGBTQ’ over and over again until it is a place of comfort and people get familiar with the language,” she said. “Problematic situations arise from a lack of familiarity and discomfort.” Buttler agreed. “I know how it feels to be a young LGBT professional and be out. I always wished when I was younger that I had visible, good support where I went to school in high school and early years of college. I hope that anyone who comes understands that, particularly right now, this is a pivotal point in our country’s history on equality — and that students, professors and the people who they interact with outside of campus all have something unique about them.” For more information, visit www.facebook.com/pages/Gloucester-County-College-Gay-Straight-Alliance.
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