La Casa Cultural Latina, one of the University’s cultural houses, held their last “Dinner Dialogue” of the year on Wednesday to discuss lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and ally issues in the context of the Champaign-Urbana Latino community. They also discussed Friday’s Day of Silence.

The dinner was meant to create an evening of open conversation and provide a forum for the LGBT community and its allies to share personal anecdotes, give opinions, ask questions and spread knowledge.  

“The reason that we did it here at La Casa was to bring awareness to our students about what (The Day of Silence) is … (to) serve as an Ally to underrepresented communities … (and to) build a community and support sysem for all underrepresented students in general,” said Berenice Sanchez, assistant director at La Casa Cultural Latina.

One of the student leaders, Tencia Arizpe, senior in Social Work, is an intern at the UP Center of Champaign County, a multi-service agency that supports and promotes activities meant to improve the wellbeing and development of the LGBT community. She was accompanied by fellow interns Aliya Prescott and Sydney May, also seniors in Social Work. Together, they engaged a small group of students at La Casa Cultural Latina. 

During the evening, the three seniors gave a presentation and discussed living life as a member or ally of the LGBT community. They also pinpointed the unique issues that LGBT community members may face when acknowledging their other personal identities, whether it be racial, class-based or cultural. Arizpe, May and Prescott acknowledged that each person in this world is a complex individual, highlighting that within one person, there is the potential for many identities to exist. 

“I wanted to do this workshop because I have been inspired to show the world my various identities,” Arizpe said. “I’ve realized it’s important to showcase those intersections, especially with Latinos. I know how stigmatized it can be to be gay in this community. And being a gay Latina and speaking out about these issues is rewarding.”

Attendees also viewed the video clip “Undocumented and Unafraid, Queer and Unashamed,” from Cuéntame, a series that focuses on Latino social and cultural issues. This clip presented a small piece of one Latino man’s story. This man, in addition to being a Latino in the U.S., identified as a member of the LGBT community.

On Friday, students will come together to make these issues known on a broader scale by participating in the campus’s “Day of Silence.” The purpose behind this nationwide, unofficial holiday is to allow students to actively take a “silent” stance on LGBT social issues. During the day, participants will remain silent. 

The Day of Silence began in 1996 with University of Virginia students pushing for LGBT awareness in their community. 

According to the Day of Silence’s website, it has become the “largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.”  

Erica Manzo, junior in LAS, chooses to take a stance as an ally. She recently attended ally training at La Casa Cultural Latina, where she learned how to be supportive of LGBT community members. Under the University of Illinois Student Affairs Office, students can also take part in Ally training through the LGBT Resource Center and Asian American Cultural Center at different points throughout the school year. 

May also identifies herself as an ally. 

“I’ve really enjoyed working with that community, and I’ve felt like I’ve become a part of that community in the process,” May said. 

Students promoting the Day of Silence will set up tables on the Quad from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will also hold a gathering to spread issue awareness on the corner of Green Street and Wright Street at 4 p.m. This event will continue into the evening, where the silence will eventually be “broken” with a “Breaking the Silence Rally” on the Main Quad at 5 p.m. Preparation for their “Hug-In” will occur at the LGBT Resource Center at 323 Illini Union to prepare for the Hug-In to take place later, at 10 p.m. on Green Street. 

David Yost, the former blue Power Ranger in many Power Ranger TV series and films, will give a speech in room 314 of the Illini Union at 7 p.m. 

A “Hug-In” will take place at 10 p.m. on Green Street and is specifically designed to represent resistance against hate crimes.  

Albert Plawinski, senior in LAS, will be participating in the event. 

“Today is basically organized as a day of protest,” he said. “You’re trying to show that in situations where you would be speaking, for example, group work … you’re in a way protesting the silence that the LGBT community and its supporters face everyday.”

Katie can be reached at [email protected].