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DAY OF SILENCE
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Attention GSA Members!
I would like to compile a list of links to GSA webpages for this site. If your college, high school, or junior high school GSA/GLBTA has its own webpage, I would be happy to add the link here. Please include your school's name and location. Thanks!
SUBMIT LINK
About the Day of Silence...
The Day of Silence (DOS for short) takes place every year,
usually on the first Wednesday of April, on high school and
college campuses all over the U.S. and in Canada. Its purpose is
to spread awareness of the discrimination suffered by Gays,
Lesbians, Bisexuals, and Transgenders in society, and also to
stimulate discussions and provoke contemplation on LGBT issues.
The DOS is effective because it is nonviolent and simple yet
draws attention, and it also builds solidarity among LGBT and
their allies in schools. The first Day of Silence took place at
the University of Virginia in 1996 and has since then spread
throughout the country.
To participate, students (and teachers, administrators,
counselors, etc.) willingly take a 9-hour vow of silence for the
established date (this year, April 4) during which they pass out
cards confirming their stance on LGBT rights instead of speaking
vocally. The cards read:
"Please understand my reasons for not speaking today.
I support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights.
People who are silent today believe that laws and attitudes
should be inclusive of people of all sexual orientations.
The Day of Silence is to draw attention to those who have
been silenced by hatred, oppression, and prejudice. Think
about the voices you are not hearing. What can you do to
end the silence?"
Taking the vow of silence and fulfilling it (to the best of your
ability), and showing or passing out the card is the minimum
effort required to participate in the Day of Silence. However,
GSA and GLBTA groups at schools may want to expand on it by
holding events afterwards to educate the community/school, to
symbolically "break" the silence, or to have participants discuss
their experiences that day amongst themselves.
Draft and copy a letter signed by your school's GSA/GLBTA president and sponsor explaining the Day of Silence, and pass them out to the faculty so they have advance notice. (This helps prevent friction on that day.)
Remind participants to bring a pad of paper and pen to school that day so they can communicate in writing (or some very talented individuals may wish to use sign language, hehe.)
Have a meeting for all participants before the established day to discuss who to go to if a teacher responds negatively, how to deal with situations (such as harassment), and other pertinent issues and to answer questions.
Have all participants wear matching T-shirts, armbands, buttons, stickers, etc.
Set up a special "Silence Lunch Table" as an option for participants who feel uncomfortable sitting with others, especially if they are ostracized for their participation.
Set up a booth or table with pamphlets explaining the Day of Silence and LBGT issues. Pamphlets and fact sheets can be downloaded and printed off the official Day of Silence Project website.
Arrange for a "coffee get-together" (or whatever) for the participants to chill and chat about their experiences.
Hold a rally at your school with speakers and live music to "break the silence".
Have an Idea/Suggestion?
E-mail me to have it posted here
Updated 3/28/01
Visits since 3/22/01
[Click for Official Day of Silence Site]
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