The 14th annual National Day of Silence is right around the corner! On April 16, 2010 thousands of students nationwide will take a pledge of silence to bring attention to (and ultimately put an end to) anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in their schools.
Anti-LGBT bullying, name-calling and harassment in school environments is a serious issue:
Nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT youth (86.2%) reported being verbally harassed at school in the past year because of their sexual orientation, nearly half (44.1%) reported being physically harassed and about a quarter (22.1%) reported being physically assaulted, according to GLSEN 2007 National School Climate Survey of more than 6,000 LGBT students.
In most cases, the harassment is unreported. Nearly two-thirds of LGBT students (60.8%) who experience harassment or assault never reported the incident to the school. The most common reason given was that they didn't believe anything would be done to address the situation. Of those who did report the incident, nearly a third (31.1%) said the school staff did nothing in response.
LGBT teens are known to have higher rates of depression and destructive behaviors, feelings of isolation, drop-out rates, have significantly higher rates of attempted suicide and are twice as likely to succeed when attempting suicide. It is firmly believed that bullying, name-calling and harassment in schools play an important role in creating these devastating numbers.
Founded in 1996, the Day of Silence is entirely student-led and has grown since to become the largest student-run action toward creating safer schools for all students, regardless of sexual orientation, or gender identity and/or expression. For more about the history of the Day of Silence, click here.
Following the Day of Silence, there will be a Breaking the Silence celebration at the GAGV from 4-7PM. For more information click here or contact the Youth Program Director Jess Cohen at (585) 244-8640 ext. 13 or JessC@gayalliance.org.
Are you planning to participate in the Day of Silence this year? Do you have stories from past years? Do you think there is still a need for the Day of Silence? Please, share your thoughts!
As someone who has always been a queer youth advocate in our community and very involved with the amazing youth in the GAGV's youth program, the annual Day of Silence has always been one of my favorite "holidays." I think the way it empowers queer youth and their allies to speak up (WITHOUT speaking up LOL) about their issues is compelling and impressive....and I have always found the "Breaking the Silence Rally" that the GAGV hosts to be one of the most inspirational queer community events we have locally. I would strongly encourage everyone who supports queer youth and the queer community to learn more about the Day of Silence and how you might participate and get involved!
I've always been a little torn about the day of silence. I understand the concept. And I support the notion of highlighting the challenges that members of the GLBT community face. However...
...hasn't the silence of the LGBTQ community been one of the problems? Hasn't the lack of presence and the ability to speak been one of the things that hinders us? How does more silence help?
I certainly support the GAGV. Youth Group. I can understand that the rally is a powerful experience. I support anything to affirm the lives of GLBT youth.
I'm just not sure about the Day of Silence.
I do understand your perspective and I've actually heard that same point from people before, so there are definitely a lot of people who feel the way you do about the Day of Silence.
The way I see it is, certainly while the point is to be silent temporarily... it's not the same kind of silence.
The Day of Silence is intended to illustrate how the silence of LGBT communities not only hurts us, but it also illustrates in a palpable way the disconnect and dishonesty from those around us that we have historically been forced into, in a way that they can see and feel. And I think there's something really powerful and useful in acknowledging that silence has historically been a part of LGBT people's experience, both an expected and necessary part, while also identifying that we understand that there is something really wrong with that, and how horrendous and harmful it has been to us and to those who love us.