New York official to speak on gay rights

Controversial New Paltz, N.Y., Mayor Jason West will be on campus Monday to give a lecture based on his book “Dare to Hope,” in conjunction with the National Day of Silence. The lecture will start at 7 p.m., and will be followed by a question-and-answer session.\nThe National Day of Silence, which is April 18, is observed annually to acknowledge the silence that some feel is imposed on those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. West’s lecture, to be held at Alumni Hall in the Indiana Memorial Union, is co-sponsored by the Union Board, the IU Day of Silence Committee, Hoosier Rights Campaign and the GLBT Student Support Services office.\nWest, who is a member of the Green Party, received international attention in 2004 when, as mayor, he illegally married 25 same-sex couples in the Village of New Paltz. He defied state authorities by conducting the ceremonies and was charged with several misdemeanors, although he was never convicted. \n“My hope is that someday soon, mayors and officials in villages and towns across the country will be able to perform marriage ceremonies for all committed couples, no matter their gender,” West said in a March 5, 2004, statement on his city’s Web site.\nThe young mayor was chosen to speak because of his commitment to being a valuable supporter of gay rights, said IU sophomore and Union Board Director of Lectures Hana Ros. \n“Mayor West is a proven ally to the GLBT community,” she said. \nMatt Brunner, IU senior and founder of the Hoosier Rights Campaign, said he agreed with Ros that allies such as West are crucial to the Day of Silence cause.\n“He put his career on the line to make a political statement that is so needed today,” Brunner said. \nAlong with his stand on civil rights, West has taken stands on many environmental issues. He was one of 60 mayors from across the world to sign the United Nations Urban Environmental Accords, which committed cities to providing a sustainable urban future, according to jasonwest.org. \nWest’s lecture is only a part of the campus’ activities with the National Day of Silence. Starting April 16, buttons and T-shirts, along with cards explaining more about the vow of silence, will be available at the GLBT office in the IMU. On Tuesday, in the IMU State Room East, there will be a discussion on the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy at 7 p.m. \nOn April 18, there will be a “Break the Silence” march starting at 5 p.m. from the Showalter Fountain. There will be a discussion with religious leaders who are allies of the National Day of Silence at 7:30 p.m. in the IMU Oak Room.\n“We cannot do it alone, we need our allies,” Brunner said.