About 40 UNM students took a vow of silence on Wednesday.
The vow commemorated a national Day of Silence, which protests discrimination of gays and lesbians, said Justin Stewart, co-chairman of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Questioning Alliance on campus.
Stewart said the vow of silence was a way of protesting the silence gays and lesbians face in society. It was also a way of protesting without being disruptive, he said.
"It's civil disobedience without it being a direct disobedient protest," Stewart said.
The group had a booth on Smith Plaza and signed people up who wanted to participate. Participants received a card to present to teachers and peers explaining why they couldn't speak.
"My deliberate silence echoes that silence which is caused by harassment, prejudice and discrimination," it stated. "I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward fighting these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today."
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Student Fred Hardy, a member of the alliance, said it was difficult not to speak all day.
"It was very hard," he said. "I communicated using pencils and caveman sign language."
He said the day was about feeling what it's like to be silenced as a gay person in the community.
"Being silent made me realize things about myself, because there are times when I have silenced myself and didn't know it," he said.
Student Nathan Erwin said he could only be silent for a few hours because he had to work, but he said even during those few hours it was difficult to stay quiet.
"I, personally, never shut up," he said. "So it was a very eye-opening experience."
Erwin said he has always been openly gay, so he never thought much about the people who feel they are silenced.
"It was interesting to think about what it's like to be quiet about who you are," he said.
A few students gathered at the Duck Pond on Wednesday to end the silence. They lit candles and discussed the day.
"We wanted to break the silence by candlelight, because it seems more poetic," Stewart said.
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network sponsored the Day of Silence across the nation. According to the groups Web site, more than 4,000 schools participated.
Stewart said it was important to bring the event to UNM because it will open people's minds.
"It brings to light some misconceptions people have about gay people," he said. "Some people come to the school with nothing to open their eyes."
Hardy said he feels more comfortable being openly gay in New Mexico than his hometown.
"I'm out more here than in Seattle," he said. "It's more important to be out here."
Erwin agreed. He said he has helped dispel misconceptions some students have of gay people.
"People are always telling me that I'm not the stereotypical gay guy," he said. "So I'm glad I can break some of those stereotypes."
Stewart said he couldn't participate in the Day of Silence because he was campaigning for the ASUNM elections. He is up for a senator position on the Unite slate.
"I felt very bad about it," he said.
