CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Austin Peay State University’s Gay Straight Alliance will host its Night of Noise Glow Party on Friday, April 20, following the national Day of Silence.
Begun in 1996 by students at the University of Virginia, the Day of Silence protests the harassment of GLBT people across the United States and around the world. This year, Austin Peay’s GSA will join students at over 8000 schools internationally to observe the annual event.
The GSA will distribute informational pamphlets and wear tape over their mouths throughout the day on April 20 to bring attention to those who are silenced through anti-GLBT name-calling, bullying, and harassment in schools.
After the Day of Silence, the tape will come off with a “Night of Noise” to celebrate the accomplishments and diversity of the GLBT community, and the GSA has planned the Night of Noise Glow Party. Appointed members of the Glow Party Committee have been actively working on this event for several months, raising funds, finding low-cost decorations, and obtaining music, lighting, and food, as well as advertising in various forms across campus.
Ryan Whipkey, President of the Gay Straight Alliance, said he is very proud and inspired by the hard work of the organization’s members and is looking forward to the event.
“This event will bring together hundreds of students from all sexual orientations and gender identities to support equality while having a good time,” he said.
The GSA has acquired over 1000 glow items from donations and direct purchases that will be provided free of charge to attendees to the event. In addition, free food will be provided to the first 100 students who attend. Nashville’s VJ Stretch will provide music as he uses his artistic ability to mix top music and videos. The GSA has also acquired lasers and black-lights for this event.
Through the dedication of its members, faculty and staff allies, as well as community support, the GSA at Austin Peay has grown and progressed greatly over the past academic year. Members of the Glow Party Committee of the GSA have dedicated much time and effort into the organization’s final event of the year, and the campus community is excited.
Anthony Revelee, student and member of the Glow Party Committee, is excited to attend the event and has seen a great deal of hard work being put forth by the organization for the Glow Party.
“By bringing a wide appealing event to campus,” he said, “we will have the opportunity to inform and educate the students about the diversity and history of the LGBT community in an entertaining and fun event.”
Admission for the event is $5. The Night of Noise Glow Party will be held at 6 p.m. on the Austin Peay State University campus in the Memorial Health Building. For further information, contact the Gay Straight Alliance on Facebook or at gsa.apsu@gmail.com.