GSA will hand out ribbons to students taking part in the Day of Silence as a way to contribute to the meaning behind the event on Friday.

Day of Silence is an event where participants remain silent for the entire day. Students will receive a sheet of paper that explains why they are silent.

“Day of Silence was established because people who are sexual and gender minorities have, in the past and even today, felt like they were forced to live in silence,” adviser Brad Larson said. “Basically not come out, not be obvious, not be who they were, and pretend to be who society expected them to be.”

The event was also created as a way to express compassion for any and all LGBTQ victims who have been bullied or felt maltreated.

“Day of Silence was founded so that the people could recognize all those who, because of society’s prejudices or society’s expectations, have remained silent and who have not fully expressed themselves as individuals. It gives people the chance to express solidarity with the people who have been oppressed,” Larson said.

Regardless of whether a person participates in the event, the ribbons are a manner to show support for the victims.

“We’ve been doing this for five years. What we’re doing is honoring those people. People who are LGBTQ will see they’ve got a lot of supporters and I think that will be a wonderful thing,” adviser Gwen Geiger said.

GSA also utilizes the ribbons to raise awareness for the event.

“Some people might not even know about it and so it might make some people curious and make them look it up,” freshman Camryn Liberio said.

Students are still expected to participate in class even if they are taking part in the event.