Students hold ‘Die in’ to raise awareness of LGBT issues

By Armando Ruiz
December 7th, 2010
Section: Featured - News

Photo Credit: Armando Ruiz / Staff Photographer

CSUN students held a “die in” inside the first and second floor of the Oviatt Library Tuesday afternoon to call attention to the recent suicides among the LGBT community. Participants fell to the ground to symbolize the deaths affecting the LGBT community. Organizers of the “die in” gave a speech on homophobia and the bullying affecting LGBT youth. Other participants handed out fliers that included resources and information on LGBT struggles. Participants chanted, “stop queer violence, create safe space.”

“I came out here today just to kinda support,” said senior Audel Contreras, urban planning major. “In the past few months it’s become a huge problem with students who are in the closet and are homosexual.”

The participants continued to chant as they marched through the lobby out to the front of the Oviatt before dispersing.

top

Disclaimer: The Daily Sundial is not responsible for comments posted on dailysundial.com. In accordance with the Communications Decency Act of 1996 the Sundial is not liable for the content of comments. By commenting, all persons posting on dailysundial.com have agreed to our comment policy. If a comment does not abide by the comment policy the Sundial reserves the right to delete comments without warning. The Daily Sundial advises persons commenting not to abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid comments of hate speech or encouraging violence.

  • David the small-L libertarian

    Gotta love the conviction of Audel Contreras: “I came out here today just to kinda support.”

    Funny…

  • Pete T.

    It looks like the author’s a little mixed up. Nobody held a die-in, since that would mean that someone died. It should say “Students faked a ‘Die-in’”. The only people who actually had to sacrifice anything were, once again, neutral bystanders. In this case the students who were in the library studying for finals. While I fully support you in your fight for this cause, this was a very inconsiderate thing to do.

  • Frank P.

    Actually, check your facts because some that were involved in this action work within the Trans community and make sure that they spread awareness about trans-inclusiveness within LGBT spaces. Also, are you aware of the term queer? The term queer is used by activists that fight heteronormative ideals even within lesbian and gay spaces.
    I agree with you about the fragmentation of the community, but the action held yesterday was to include everyone. Besides, if you were so concerned about the treatment of trans women of color I would hope you are taking action in some ways such as:
    1. Were you present and are aware that the school is voting on gender neutral restrooms in the USU that are needed for trans people on our campus?
    2. Did you participate in any Day of Rememberance events this past November?
    3. Are you aware of queer studies program that currently holds some of the most active minds that challenge ideals against the gay and lesbian mainstream identity the one you assume these people have?
    Yes in the past & present gays and lesbians have not included transpeople, but like everything else it is a work in progress. Some of the people involved yesterday take action against the violence from organizing a Youth Pride to being on the board for Trans-Pride outside the campus. If you are concerned about the cis gays then you should have been involved in this action.
    If anything you reduced what was being said.