Thousands of students to participate in National Day of Silence

Ten years ago, 150 students at the University of Virginia refused to speak for an entire day, and the Day of Silence was born. Since then, thousands of middle school, high school and college students have taken the one-day vow of silence in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights.

Many schools have expanded it to include additional actions and educational events to support creating safer schools for all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Organizers say in-school harassment is at unacceptable levels and is too often ignored. Eighty-four percent of LGBT students report being verbally harassed because of their sexual orientation, according to the most recent National School Climate Survey conducted by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

On April 26, 2006, tens of thousands of students are expected to participate in the 10th Anniversary National Day of Silence in all 50 states, including Wisconsin.

Organizers choose silence to draw awareness to discrimination in schools against LGBT people because "for too long, the silencing of LGBT people and their allies has been the norm."

"Whether it's the lack of LGBT-inclusive material in educational resources, or role assignments based upon our assumed gender, such silence and silencing affects us all in a profound way," reads DayofSilence.org. "Just as profound, however, can be the use of silence as a form of protest. The Day of Silence is a way of turning silence on its head, of reclaiming silence as a tool."

DayofSilence.org allows schools to register and share local plans for participating in the Day of Silence, as well as additional events. Some schools expand the theme into an entire week of educational and awareness events.

The vow of silence can last an entire day or any length of time, during which participants pass out cards that state their reasons for not speaking. The cards say, "Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights. People who are silent today believe that laws and attitudes should be inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The Day of Silence is to draw attention to those who have been silenced by hatred, oppression, and prejudice. Think about the voices you are not hearing. What can you do to end the silence?"

Posted March 15, 2006