The Day of Silence
by
scolton
April 17, 2015 at 3:04 AM UTC
Each year, the GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network) hosts an event called the "Day of Silence." On this day, you are permitted (so long as it doesn't disrupt normal classwork, i.e. you must answer if a teacher calls on you) to remain silent for the entire day as a means of making the public aware of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (and more) persons who are no longer with us, or for those who are closeted and must remain so for their safety.
This year, the event will be held on April 17 (tomorrow as of this writing in EDT). If anyone wants to take part, you must wear a quarter-sheet of paper on your person that details the event and why you have chosen to be silent.
If you want to take part, your school is legally required to let you. They cannot suppress your freedom to speak (or not) outside of classroom time. This means that at lunch and between classes, you have the right to not speak.
imo the day of silence is iffy. it just seems like something to make cishet allies feel good about themselves rather than, for example, letting queer people talking about their own experiences (just one example i've seen people talking about that would be better than this)
but on the other hand, it is good to have silence for those in the queer community that have passed, or are abused, or can't come out. i just like to look at it from both sides.
imo the day of silence is iffy. it just seems like something to make cishet allies feel good about themselves rather than, for example, letting queer people talking about their own experiences (just one example i've seen people talking about that would be better than this)
but on the other hand, it is good to have silence for those in the queer community that have passed, or are abused, or can't come out. i just like to look at it from both sides.
Yeah, it's not perfect. But at my school, it's really all there is.
Yeah, it's not perfect. But at my school, it's really all there is.
i understand that. in some areas it is much harder to have these kinds of things. i live in a very liberal place (seattle) so im probably speaking from a more privileged point of view when i say that
i understand that. in some areas it is much harder to have these kinds of things. i live in a very liberal place (seattle) so im probably speaking from a more privileged point of view when i say that
Actually I live in one of the most socially liberal areas that I know. But the issue is my school is tiny. So until next year, when I start a Gay-Straight Alliance, this is the best I can do.
Idk bout this. I'm all for the idea behind it but the execution and means to raise awareness could be a lot better imo.
Something that needs to be more followed-through on is that after the Day of Silence, you're supposed to "break the silence" by posting on social networks your strong support for the LGBT+ community.
Something that needs to be more followed-through on is that after the Day of Silence, you're supposed to "break the silence" by posting on social networks your strong support for the LGBT+ community.
I get it and its clever its just for the lack of a better term weak. I do however like that there are things being done and hopefully it is just the tip of the iceberg and more events like this will be created. It's good, has good motivations but I just don't feel that it's enough. Also sorry but in my school which is private and catholic although I'm not catholic they can tell you what you can and cannot wear, so I sadly will not be able to take part in this. Not that it means much but I'm with this idea and find this concept to be one of the few things worth fighting for as far as social matters go. :)
I get it and its clever its just for the lack of a better term weak. I do however like that there are things being done and hopefully it is just the tip of the iceberg and more events like this will be created. It's good, has good motivations but I just don't feel that it's enough. Also sorry but in my school which is private and catholic although I'm not catholic they can tell you what you can and cannot wear, so I sadly will not be able to take part in this. Not that it means much but I'm with this idea and find this concept to be one of the few things worth fighting for as far as social matters go. :)
I'm sorry to hear about the oppression at your school, but I'm glad that you're supportive nonetheless.
At my school, we actually can sign up for what we are going silent for. I'm pretty sure 3/4 of our school signed up :)
Awesome!! I (shockingly) got almost the entire Junior High involved today. They're usually so apathetic that I thought I wouldn't get any takers, but a lot of girls down there read through the sheet of paper and decided it was something they wanted to do so now I keep passing them in the hallway and it's awesome.
If I was too do that in the UAE I would get deported.. :c
I'm sorry to hear that :/
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