Day of Silence 2009

[CypherEnigma]

Today is the Day of Silence. I started doing this event my Sophomore year, which is the year that I came out as Queer in HS.
For those who are interested the Day of Silence is a national event to raise awareness about LGBTQQ Violence.

The National Day of Silence brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Each year the event has grown, now with hundreds of thousands of students coming together to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior.

-From http://www.dayofsilence.org

I was wondering if any others are participating?

[Jay]

Unfortunately, I can't take part as I work in a call center so being able to talk is my lively hood.

By I will be thinking about the cause.

Jay

[Miniar]

This is the first I hear of it..

[Mr. Fox]

I didn't find out until halfway through the day, unfortunately.  My friend in French class wanted to do it, but she thought it was next week.  Anyway, anecdote: we were having this discussion in French class, and our other friend (we'll call her Jessica) asked "Day of silence for what?"  and someone else said "gay rights" and she laughed.  And then she was all like, "Why have a day for that" and "There's no day for straight people" (show me a large number of straight people across the nation being oppressed or taunted for their sexual orientations, and I'll start one).  I lectured her a little, then our French teacher shared how being made fun of or rejected for being gay was the most common cause of suicide among teenager (or maybe just a common cause; I forget), and Jessica shut up.  It was rather irritating and offensive.  What was most annoying was how she was smiling the whole time she was saying these things.  And it's not some person I hate, so I actually care.

[kae m]

It's great to hear so many students are participating in this, and that so many teachers are being supportive of it.  It gives me hope that things are changing for the better, that those filled with hate are becoming a smaller and smaller group.  It is so important to raise awareness that hate is still very much out there and it causes terrible things.

I experienced the hate myself when I was in school, when I complained or got caught defending myself the principal would ask me, "why don't you just stop acting that way?"  Because obviously the daily physical and verbal harassment was my fault and my problem alone.  As if I had any idea I was even "acting that way".  The blame the victim & hands-off approach far too many schools and parents take toward anti-LGBT harassment is why we see so many kids taking their own lives.  When they see that no one cares is when suicide appears to be the easiest option to make the pain stop.  And when that happens, the school faculty and parents that did nothing to stop it should hold themselves responsible.

And then she was all like, "Why have a day for that" and "There's no day for straight people"

Maybe she's not familiar with "everyday"?

[kody2011]

well, it's after nine at night here, and this is the first i've heard of it. thanks for sharing!!!