Gov. Jennifer Granholm became the first Michigan governor to issue a proclamation strongly supporting the Lesbian-Bi-Gay-Transgendered community this week, designating Wednesday a Day of Silence in Michigan.

"The governor is opposed to harassment and discrimination of any kind," Granholm spokeswoman Elizabeth Boyd said. "If we can raise awareness about harassment and discrimination that students face, we're more than willing to do so."

On Tuesday, dozens of MSU students recognized the Day of Silence by passing out literature and holding signs as part of Pride Week, a yearly event to inform the MSU community on LBGT issues.

Jeffrey Montgomery, executive director of the Detroit-based Triangle Foundation, said they've been working with Granholm on this proclamation for the last month. Triangle is Michigan's leading LBGT advocacy organization.

"This indicates that she understands the significance of the problem and she stands in solidarity with the students who took part in the Day of Silence," he said.

For more on this story please see Friday's edition of The State News.