A storm really is coming. It’s as if the heavens opened up and cried that day for the murders of countless individuals. Brandon Teena was an FTM transperson who was viciously murdered because he did not conform to traditional gender roles. Carl Walker-Hoover committed suicide moments away from his 12th birthday due to name-calling because of his perceived sexual orientation.

These are just two of the many cries for help that goes unheard.

Started in 1996 at the University of Virginia, the Day of Silence is the largest student organized demonstration promoting awareness towards safe school issues. Hundreds of students across the campuses of Dallas took a vow of silence on this day to bring attention to anti-LGBT harassment and bullying. Donning smartly-made T-shirts and carrying talking cards, these students embody the manifestation of what happens when the voice of generations have been silenced in the sphere of politics and society.

“Many take this day as a chance to attack without opposition to those that are rendered vulnerable by their silence,” Richland College GSA member, Wajid Aldomour said.

“I couldn’t defend myself.”

The taunts ensue as students make a game of making their peers to speak. Aldomour stood strong, however, and believes this is the impact she aims to make when she claims “it promotes awareness; it gets people to wonder what is going on.”

GSA’s under the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) Dallas chapter begin to gather to participate in the Breaking the Silence event hosted, this year, at the Southern Methodist University.

Many of the community supporters and organizers were there including Outtakes Dallas, GAYLA Prom, Youth First Texas, the Cathedral of Hope, Spectrum of SMU, GSA @ UTA and the various GSA’s of North Texas.

Every participant was given a chance to speak about their hilarious misadventures, serious commentaries, or just random babbles. Afterward, everyone proceeded on to having their own discussions.

Former president of Spectrum noted, “look to your left and then look to your right – these are the faces that will change America.” He believes that this day is not about the celebration of silence but rather to recognize and remember it when he said, “word hurts; silence kills.”

Other people also feel differently about the concept of silence. Aunt Melanie of YFT noted that for her generation of the AIDS crisis, being “silent equals death.”

A live performance was given by Eric and the Adams. The band consisted of Eric Himan, Jimmy Adams, and Angel Adams. Himan played a variety of songs including some of his own and got people dancing.

After the performance, Himan mentioned, “I’ve been silent for so long that it’s great now that I can be vocal about it through my music… This is a time to reflect – to remember.”

As the night wind down, Drive By Black Attack, another band with Grace Chow and Zachariah Hamze, performed to a gathering crowd outside with the strums of their guitars.