Olivia Love
Staff Writer
The Gender Resource Center at ISU will be putting on an event called Denim Day on Wednesday, April 20. On this day, everyone is encouraged to wear jeans as a protest against the overturning of a rape case.
In 1999, the Italian Supreme Court tried a rape case. The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff with claims that the victim had been wearing tight jeans.
The Gender Resource Center wants people to wear jeans as a symbol of protest against the destructive attitude regarding sexual assault.
“On Denim Day, we wear jeans to go against this because it’s never the victim’s fault,” said Megan Brauner, an employee of the Gender Resource Center.
To raise awareness for this case and cases similar to it, the Gender Resource Center is hosting a free concert on Denim Day.
Those who attend will hear songs from The Carolina Reapers as well as be educated on sexual assault and the resources available at ISU.
This event at ISU is one of only five Denim Days that are taking place in the United States with the next closest being in southern California.
The lack in popularity of the event is due to the fact that issues of rape like this are not widely publicized so people do not know about them.
“A lot of it has to do with education and resources and the problem is a lot of people kind of turn away and feel uncomfortable with it,” Brauner said.
Unfortunately, the mindset of what a person might wear reflecting their attitude toward sexual advances is all too common. This is the kind of mentality that the Gender Resource Center is trying to stop.
“You should be able to wear whatever you want,” said Brauner. “Nobody asks for rape.”
The Carolina Reapers, a band from Idaho Falls, will be performing at the event to show their support. They have participated in Denim Days at ISU previously and continue to do so because of their love for the cause.
“They’re really looking forward to it this year. It’s a really great event for a really great cause,” said Ron Celner, the manager of The Carolina Reapers,
In addition to spreading awareness about sexual assault, the Gender Resource Center is also using the event to support the family service alliance.
Attendees are encouraged to bring bottled water, shampoos and conditioners and feminine hygiene products to the concert to donate to those in need.
Students are encouraged to participate in the event in any way they can. If you are unable to make it to the concert, wear denim to show your support for the cause.
“[Rape] is something that should definitely get more attention and we’re just glad that there is a venue for that and that there is a project that supports that and brings awareness,” Celner said.
