Day of Silence
Seeks to Quiet Harassment of LGBT Students
Call it a lesson
in the real-world value of homework. Sparked by a class
assignment on nonviolent protest at the University of
Virginia in 1996, the Day of Silence has grown to
become the largest student-led event in the LGBT
community.
On April 25 an
estimated 500,000 students at more than 5,000 middle
schools, high schools, colleges, and universities across the
nation will take part in the Day of Silence to call
attention to the widespread problem of anti-LGBT
name-calling, bullying, and harassment. Organizers
anticipate this year’s effort will generate the
highest levels of participation yet for a uniquely
powerful, youth-driven action.
“The Day
of Silence is a very moving idea to make manifest the
anti-LGBT behavior that happens in schools,”
explains Eliza Byard, deputy executive director of the
Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, which
coordinates the project. “It provides a meaningful
way for students to be involved as individuals and to
make a difference.”
This year, Day of
Silence activities nationwide are dedicated to the
memory of Lawrence King. In February, the 15-year-old gay
student at E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard,
Calif., was shot and killed by a 14-year-old
classmate, allegedly because of his sexual
orientation and gender expression.
Organizers are
determined to turn the tragedy into an teaching moment.
“There was
a widespread sense of grief and connection to the
event,” says GLSEN’s Byard about
King’s death. “And there was a real concern
that the story was disappearing.”
In downtown Los
Angeles, approximately 65 miles southeast of where King
lived, students at the Miguel Contreras Learning Complex in
the Los Angeles Unified School District have planned
what may be the largest single Day of Silence
recognition in history. More than 900 students, or
nearly half the student body, have registered to participate
in activities scheduled for April 24 and led by the
School of Justice.
“I’m really proud of the kids for putting
together such a great program,” states Heather
Daims, principal of the school. “It’s powerful
to see students with their level of knowledge educate
their peers and have a conversation and a dialogue
about these issues.”
In honor of their
remarkable work, students and faculty of the school received
a public commendation on April 23 from groups like
GLSEN, Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and
Gays, Gay Straight-Alliance Network, and cast members
from the forthcoming film Tru Loved.