Though I was not out to myself yet, on that day I was silent for my brother.Īs the Day of Silence is in its 19th year, originating at the University of Virginia in response to a class assignment on non-violent protests with over 150 participants, I am reminded that my experience is not unique. My senior year, I finally decided to join them.
Needless to say, our school was not the most welcoming to LGBTQ kids.ĭespite the threats and the public shaming (even from teachers, who docked participation grades for those choosing to be silent) there were still some who proudly let their silence speak volumes for their community and for themselves. As students in public schools, they have a first amendment right to peacefully express their views about the LGBT community, and GLAD has the tools to help students in those hard situations.Īt my high school, the Day of Silence was seen as an excuse for the football team to wear t-shirts with cruel slogans written on them and not get in trouble things like “Adam & Eve, not Adam & Steve” and worse, “Exit, not Entrance” on their backs with arrows pointing down.
