by staff writer, Yul Kim

            Ignorance. Unfairness. Cruelty. These words portray a harsh illusion but according to some students on campus, these are fairly common words that they have experienced and encountered.
            As president of the Gay-Straight Alliance club, Andrew Person (’08) wanted to revive the club to let people know that hostility and discrimination towards gays is not right. He admitted that their club has not been getting much attention because “people tend to have a stigma” towards them.
            Club members discuss the gay community and any hurtful event or incident that may have occurred on campus each Monday in room 263.
            Vice President Samantha Rahhal (’08) said, “People don’t realize that there’s a lot of homophobic stigma at our school.”
            She blames ignorance for the hate that people carry towards gays. 
            The Gay-Straight Alliance club has been preparing an event called the Day of Silence. Its members are to remain completely silent throughout an entire day sometime during the third week in April. Their silence will symbolize the hurt that they have faced because of their sexuality.
            Now in its twelfth year, the Day of Silence was a project initiated by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network. This network established opportunities for students to tell their stories about anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender violence, bullying, and harassment. It was an event created and led by students who wanted to inform their peers on how to bring an end to such cruel behaviors.    
            When asked if all members of the club are gay, Person said, “I’m so glad you asked that question because people always have some kind of stereotype about it.” He said that most of the members are heterosexual.
            Several members are also planning to attend the Gay and Lesbian Association Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Awards on April 26 at the Kodak Theater.
            Secretary Claire Apana (’08) said that just because people are different doesn’t mean they’re not people. She supports the gay community in order to promote gay tolerance.