Students and staff gathered on the Museum of Art steps today at 12:30 p.m. to observe a moment of silence in recognition of LGBTQIA youth who still face rejection or violence because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Created by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, the National Day of Silence on April 17 is a way to bring attention to the struggles of the LGBTQIA community.

“The [moment of silence] represents the silence and lack of support many LGBTQIA youth face when it comes to issues of sexuality,” Adira Polite ’18 wrote in an email sent to campus groups before the event.

Many people spend the whole day in silence, Polite added.

Before observing the moment of silence, five Bowdoin students read aloud accounts of recent suicides and murders of LGBTQIA people.

The students ended several of these stories with the words, “Society did not act fast enough.”