Day of Silence

Today is known as the day of silence. The day of silence is a national recognition, most prevalent on college campuses, of the silence that many gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons have to maintain in portions of their lives; to keep themselves physically, emotionally, or psychologically safe. It acknowledges that there are millions of LGBT persons in our nation, in our world, that we don't even know exist, because of fears that they possess.

What are those fears, and why do we have them? The fears are many, and the reasons are several. Fear of repercussions and rejection from family for their sexual orientation; fear of the church rejecting him or her; fear of job loss or housing discrimation or verbal or physical confrontation. Even fear of being killed. Sound overdramatic? Unfortunately, it's not.

Ever heard of Matthew Shephard? He is the young man, who already almost ten years ago, was at a local bar in Wyoming, and encountered two men, both heterosexual and angry, and extremely homophobic. The men told him that they were gay, and invited Matthew to leave the bar with them. They proceeded to beat Matthew severely, about the head, face and body, and then tied him to a split rail fence near his community. He was left there to die; he was discovered by a biker the next morning, having been hanging there all night. He was unconscious and barely alive. His face was covered with blood, except for the places that were streaked from his tears........

Matthew died a week later in the hospital. His mother, Judy, now travels the US and speaks to groups and legislators all over the country about the damage that homophobia and hatred can do. It can kill. I feel certain that if Matthew were alive today, he would not be living in silence, but out loud trying to change the ideas and beliefs held by some about gay persons.

But he isn't alive, is he? I find his death, as well as so many other deaths due to homophobic attitudes and hatred, senseless. I find all of those deaths that occur because an LGBT youth is rejected by everyone that they love in their lives when they come out, and kill themselves, senseless, angering, sad and it hurts my heart.

This is, indeed a day of silence. Silence in rememberance. Silence to acknowledge the need for so many of us, to hide away in shame, fear, self-loathing. On the other hand, I find it an appropriate time to speak out, use my voice, claim my sexual identity rightfully, proudly, and loudly. I feel certain, by having listened to the whispering of my heart, that I am totally perfect the way that I am. That I have the complete obligation to myself, and to my community, to speak out about the need to educate, inform, and reduce ignorance and hatred. I don't want to have to observe the Day of Silence forever.