Evan Robinson has made a vow not to talk all day today. It’s not caused by laryngitis, but rather by one thing Robinson said keeps him silent day in and day out: his sexual orientation.

“The LGBT community has been silenced over the years, but the National Day of Silence is a way, locally and nationally, for us to speak out and have a voice,” the freshman said.

A double major in industrial engineering and international business, Robinson is president of SHADES, the LGBT group of students of color at Ohio University and the sponsor of the National Day of Silence in Athens. SHADES started in the fall, and with its activism, OU is one of the more than 4,000 K-12 schools, colleges and universities taking part in the “day of action” in which participants remain mute throughout the day in protest of the discrimination and harassment directed toward LGBT students and their allies, according to the official Web site for the silent protest.

For part of the day, participants will be handing out cards to classmates, professors and nearly anyone they encounter to explain the reason for the silence. Letters were sent to faculty and administrators notifying them of the project, Robinson said.

“It’s a good opportunity for students to reflect on what life is like for LGBT students,” said Jonathan Connary, graduate assistant of Campus Life for the LGBT Programs Center. “It will provide awareness for those people who are in the closet or maybe out at work.”

Founded a decade ago at the University of Virginia, the Day of Silence is the project of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network and the United States Student Association. According the event’s Web site, more than 450,000 people participated last year and estimates predict that numbers today will be the highest ever. Today marks the first day Ohio University is recognized as a participant, Connary said.

“So far, we have nearly 400 people in the Facebook group dedicated to Day of Silence, with 50 others also pledging their support,” Robinson said.

Despite his enthusiasm about participation, Robinson said it’s hard to gauge the overall reaction on campus.

“Honestly, I’m iffy on the reaction,” he said. “We’ve had such a variety of responses, from vocal commitments of support to people saying they don’t agree with us. I guess we’ll have to see.”

Esther Banks, vice president of SHADES and a participant in the Day of Silence, also was unsure of the campus’ reaction.

“We’re hoping this puts a light on what goes on, and that people have a positive response to what we’re trying to accomplish here on campus,” the freshman computer engineering major said.

Speaking to the dualism of SHADES — as an organization composed of LGBT and minority students — Banks expressed optimism about the niche SHADES is carving out with the National Day of Silence, the group’s first program.

“The LGBT community at OU is very strong and supportive, and the minority population is becoming more and more accepting as more people who they don’t expect continue to come out,” she said.

However, presenting the National Day of Silence to Ohio University is not SHADES’ first appearance. The May 9 issue of The Advocate, a national gay and lesbian news magazine, includes an article on the group.

“We’re just trying to support each other and increase our comfort level on this campus,” Robinson said. “The Day of Silence is just an extension of that.”

At 8 p.m., participants will “Break the Silence” and celebrate the day in The Front Room in Baker University Center with live bands and refreshments.