A loud and joyful noise

Nearly 600 people attended “Break the Silence, Make a Joyful Noise,” a “friendraiser” for GLSEN Northeast Ohio on April 20. Among them were, clockwise from lower left, Dale Krusinski, Cliff Wilson, Jimmy Watson and Dave Volk, enjoying a table with a view.

The event culminated the area’s Day of Silence activities, highlighting the bullying and harassment of LGBT students. This year’s Day of Silence, the 17th annual commemoration, saw around 8,000 students participating across the globe. When it started in 1996, around 150 people at the University of Virginia held a day of non-violent protests on their campus before making it a national event in 1997.

Representatives from the Department of Education’s civil rights office, the local and national chapters of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network and State Rep. Nickie Antonio spoke to the assembled throng in the Terrace Club at Progressive Field. On the diamond below, the Cleveland Indians Charities Hardball Classic featured the Padua Franciscans taking on Warren Howland. It was fitting that the high school athletes also benefit from GLSEN’s efforts to create safe schools for all students.

GLSEN-NEO co-chair Gary DiBianca encouraged the crowd to contact their schools. “You all went to high, middle and elementary school,” he said. “You have every right to call those schools and ask what they are doing to educate their teachers, administrators and staff about LGBT kids.”

“You all now pay taxes to support high, middle and elementary schools,” he continued. “You have every right to call those schools and ask what they are doing to educate their teachers, administrators and staff about LGBT kids.”

Rep. Antonio joked that it was nice to play to a friendly room, unlike when she is speaking at the Statehouse. She has a trick for handling tough crowds, however, one she feels can help students having a difficult time in school.

“Look in the mirror and say, ‘I belong here.’ I tell students to do the same. It changes things, and it changes you,” she noted.

The evening also saw a short program performed by the North Coast Men’s Chorus, and three hours for community members, representing 30 LGBT organizations and their supporters, to get together.

--Anthony Glassman

photo: Brian DeWitt