Fridays are often louder than the other weekdays, just because it is the last day before the weekend and everyone is more alive and ready to finish school, but one Friday seemed to be a little quiet in a certain community.

On Friday, April 21st was the Day of Silence, a national student-led march to speak out against bullying of the LGBT community by not speaking at all. This silent protest recognizes the discrimination, bullying, and harassment that can silence students and allies in the community that takes place in schools every day. This day of action led throughout the nation brings awareness to the silencing effects of discrimination and bullying; some members of Liberty’s GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) participated in this day to display their support and reasoning to take action.

Paxton Linnemeyer is the president of Liberty’s GSA and is responsible for founding it.

“The GSA is an after school community for LGBT people to get together and hang out, but we also allow allies and people who support the community to come in, and be a part of a group that is really supportive and oriented around some struggles that members in the club face,” Linnemeyer said.

The GSA is a safe place, anyone is welcome to join or visit, and they are always accepting of everyone.

“In GSA, we talk about topics in the news or history that are not touched upon in school,” Linnemeyer said. Somewhat how Americans want to learn about their US. history, just as LGBT people want to learn about the LGBT history.”

The Day of Silence is a day to honor people who were “silenced” years ago for being gay and not being able to be open about who they were because they feared being attacked or victimized by the many people who harassed and harmed those who were open about their identity; and to honor those now who still feel like it is better off for them to hide because they fear bullying or discrimination.

The group is always getting new members and working together as a team to support one another and provide a safe place to everyone wanting to visit.