The LGBT community at Florida Atlantic will strive to make a statement — by not saying anything at all.

On Friday, April 15, the Boca Raton campus will be observing the National Day of Silence. The event will be sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs.

According to Andrea I. Guzman Oliver, associate vice president for student outreach and assessment, the event will be held to bring awareness to harassment, bullying and violence within the LGBT community, all of which is inflicted upon both members of the community and those who identify as its allies.

Junior health policy and administration major Elysha Savarese said, “It’s sad that in 2016 we even need awareness days. Love is love regardless of who you are and whom you love.”

The day of silence will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. across the campus. Students can participate by joining the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, Lambda United and LGBT allies in Traditions Plaza — which is adjacent to the Breezeway — or by attending on-campus events leading up to Friday.

On April 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., students were invited to the Free Speech Lawn to paint “NOH8” on their faces and upload a photo of themselves to social media.

There was also an opportunity for students to come together on April 12 at 6 p.m. in Heritage Park Towers to discuss contemporary issues about the community — both FAU and otherwise — as a whole.

Guzman Oliver said that FAU hopes that students will remain silent in their classes and throughout campus for the rest of the day.

Melissa Krupp is a contributing writer with the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected].