So, the Gay-Straight Alliance at my school – which is an after school club doodad and whatnot – is going to be participating in the “Day of Silence” – which is a project of GLSEN. Here’s what we were sent in preparation for this:
The Day of Silence, a project of GLSEN, will be held during school hours. Hundreds of thousands of students are expected to participate on April 18, many of whom will wear stickers and pass out ‘speaking cards’ that read:
“Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence, a national youth movement protesting the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies in schools. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by harassment, prejudice, and discrimination. I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward fighting these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today. What are you going to do to end the silence?”
GLSEN’s 2005 National School Climate Survey found that more than 64% of LGBT students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment at school and 29% report missing at least a day of school in the past month out of fear for their personal safety. The Day of Silence is one way students and their allies are making anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and name-calling unacceptable in America’s schools.
About the Day of Silence
The Day of Silence, a project of GLSEN, is a nationwide, student-led event during which thousands of high schools and colleges protest the oppression of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth. For more information and a complete collection of organizing materials, visit www.dayofsilence.org.
So, here was my first thought….
Is anyone going to notice and if they do, are they going to care? Meaning – will it make a difference? Then, I thought – well, damn, am I just being cynical and bitchy? Am I being insensitive and just intolerant?
I – don’t know. :/
While I understand they want to make a statement in a non-violent and peaceful manner….
Is this the way to do it?
I – don’t know….
Clarify me! Am I an intolerant bitch? Or just an ignorant cynic?
(No, really. I want to know….)
