this last spring, the small town HS
m son attends experienced its first
Day of Silence... organized pretty much
by his stony lonesome, including hand painting
18 tshirts the night before
try as he might to lay a groundwork
the principal refused to assist because
"it isnt a school led event"
there was a huge backlash from parents
who kept kids home or worse yet, supplied
"counter" tshirts with a rainbow in a red circle/slash
( i asked one kid to explain to me what the symbol
was meant to convey and he replied: no support...
when i asked: no suppor of what? he said: homosexuals)
i spoke personally with the principal, placing the responsibility
for the interference at his feet and carried the same message to
a very sympathetic and somewhat chagrined superintendent...
assuring her that this was the not the last time Day of Silence
would be represented at the high school....
an incredible outcome was that my son's application
to GLSEN's "Leadership Jump Start" training conference
was accepted and he spent 4 days in boston being trained
my heart is full, knowing that for the first time
in his entire life, he was with people who got him
without having to explain a thing....
next year..... they better be ready for this!
cos we sure as
will be!
