WEST HIGH SCHOOL’S STUDENTS ORGANIZED TO UNITE PEOPLE (S.O.U.P.)
MARKS THE DAY OF SILENCE WITH A FREE VIEWING OF
THE LARAMIE PROJECT

In an on-going effort to increase awareness and acceptance of all people, the members of West High School’s Students Organized to Unite People, or S.O.U.P., will be showing their support of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals by marking the national Day of Silence with a special free public viewing of The Laramie Project at Rock Island’s Brew and View at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13th

The Day of Silence is a national youth movement protesting the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies. Supporters of this day take a vow of silence to echo that silence which is caused by harassment, prejudice and discrimination.

The Laramie Project details the true story of an American town in the wake of the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, a young man who was targeted for this crime because he was gay. The presentation of the film is being funded by a grant from The Iowa Pride Network. S.O.U.P. members encourage not only high school students but also other people from the community to attend the viewing.

S.O.U.P. members have taken on many challenging projects this year, providing leadership to the students at West High and to the overall teen community in the Quad Cities as well. They hope that such activities will broaden people’s perspective, which then leads to understanding and acceptance.