Notre Dame students take ‘staND’ against hate

from the South Bend Tribune
4/17/09
By MARGARET FOSMOE
Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND — Some University of Notre Dame students on Thursday snapped up free T-shirts, eager to join a campus effort to eliminate hatred toward gays, lesbians and transgender people.

The black T-shirts, with white lettering, read: "I will not be silent. I will not be indifferent. I will not just tolerate."

The T-shirt giveaway was part of the annual "Make a StaND Against Hate" week on campus, designed to end hostility toward others based on sexual identity.

Many Notre Dame students generally are accepting of others, regardless of sexual orientation, but there still are jokes, hurtful remarks and hostile comments heard on campus, according to students involved in the shirt handout.

"I had several friends who had to transfer (from Notre Dame) because they experienced daily harassment in their dorms (regarding their sexual orientation)," said Notre Dame junior Eddie Velazquez, co-chair of the campus Core Council for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Questioning Students. Such hostility "is definitely present on this campus," he said.

The week's events are "really important. I feel like a lot of people here just brush (such issues) under the rug," said freshman Jason G'Sell, who stopped by to pick up a T-shirt.

Some students will be wearing the shirts today to mark National Day of Silence, dedicated to creating safer schools and colleges for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The week's activities included banner signings, a film screening and the shirt giveaway. The events end today with a silent campus procession and a prayer service.

Staff writer Margaret Fosmoe:
mfosmoe@sbtinfo.com