FAQ for day of silence to clear up any misconceptions
What is the Day of Silence®?
Now in its tenth year, the Day of Silence, a project of GLSEN® or the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network in collaboration with the United States Student Association (USSA), is a student-led day of action where those who support making anti-LGBT bullying and harassment unacceptable in schools participate in events to recognize and protest the discrimination and harassment-in effect, the silencing-experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students and their allies.
The Day of Silence® is an annual opportunity for students to tell their truths about anti-LGBT bullying, violence and harassment. A GLSEN® commissioned survey, From Teasing to Torment: School Climate in America conducted by Harris Interactive, found that sexual orientation and gender expression are among the top three reasons teens report that students are harassed at their schools. GLSEN’s 2003 National School Climate Survey found that 4 out of 5 LGBT students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment at school and more than 30% report missing at least a day of school in the past month out of fear for their personal safety.
Who started the Day of Silence®?
In 1996 students at the University of Virginia organized the first Day of Silence® with over 150 students participating. In 1997 organizers took their effort national and nearly 100 colleges and universities participated. In 2001 GLSEN® became the official organizational sponsor with new funding, staff and volunteers.
What do you have to say about potential critics to the Day of Silence®?
The issue at hand is the bullying, harassment, name-calling and violence that students see and face in our schools. The Day of Silence® is an activity created and led by students to tell their truth and educate their peers on how to bring an end to this harassment.
Those who do not support the Day of Silence® often protest, but rarely contribute positively to finding ways to end anti-LGBT harassment. In the past, some individuals and groups have organized days in response to the Day of Silence. These events grossly mischaracterize and often simply misunderstand the basic purpose of the Day of Silence. Bringing attention to these events, which are so often based on mistruth, only adds a false credibility to their misinformation about the Day of Silence®, GLSEN® and the 500,000 students across America participating on April 26.
Now in its tenth year, the Day of Silence, a project of GLSEN® or the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network in collaboration with the United States Student Association (USSA), is a student-led day of action where those who support making anti-LGBT bullying and harassment unacceptable in schools participate in events to recognize and protest the discrimination and harassment-in effect, the silencing-experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students and their allies.
The Day of Silence® is an annual opportunity for students to tell their truths about anti-LGBT bullying, violence and harassment. A GLSEN® commissioned survey, From Teasing to Torment: School Climate in America conducted by Harris Interactive, found that sexual orientation and gender expression are among the top three reasons teens report that students are harassed at their schools. GLSEN’s 2003 National School Climate Survey found that 4 out of 5 LGBT students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment at school and more than 30% report missing at least a day of school in the past month out of fear for their personal safety.
Who started the Day of Silence®?
In 1996 students at the University of Virginia organized the first Day of Silence® with over 150 students participating. In 1997 organizers took their effort national and nearly 100 colleges and universities participated. In 2001 GLSEN® became the official organizational sponsor with new funding, staff and volunteers.
What do you have to say about potential critics to the Day of Silence®?
The issue at hand is the bullying, harassment, name-calling and violence that students see and face in our schools. The Day of Silence® is an activity created and led by students to tell their truth and educate their peers on how to bring an end to this harassment.
Those who do not support the Day of Silence® often protest, but rarely contribute positively to finding ways to end anti-LGBT harassment. In the past, some individuals and groups have organized days in response to the Day of Silence. These events grossly mischaracterize and often simply misunderstand the basic purpose of the Day of Silence. Bringing attention to these events, which are so often based on mistruth, only adds a false credibility to their misinformation about the Day of Silence®, GLSEN® and the 500,000 students across America participating on April 26.