RSO presents Day of Silence

By Sarah Small
University of Illinois

Members of the Registered Student Organization PRIDE celebrated the end of the Day of Silence on Friday afternoon at a rally outside of the Union to remember people who have lost their lives because of their sexual orientation and to recognize the work that still needs to be done.

"Our silence was our choice, but there are many people that came before us who have been permanently silenced," said Gary Yen, a graduate student and president of PRIDE, the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual student group on campus.

Yen estimates that about 100 people attended the rally, but the actual number of people who participated in the Day of Silence is difficult to determine.

There were several speakers who presented at the rally, including ministers from Champaign churches; Fiona Ngo, an assistant professor of Asian American Studies and Gender and Women's Studies; Curt McKay, director of the LGBT resources office; and a representative from state Sen. Michael Frerichs' office.

"I apologize because I have wounded LGBT in what I represent," the Rev. Keith Harris from the McKinley Presbyterian Church said at the rally.

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