Shhhh! Day of Silence This Friday,. 4/16/2010

This Friday, April 16, 2010, we encourage you to stay silent ... as well as break the silence.

Founded in 1996 by students at the University of Virginia, and currently officially sponsored in K-12 schools by GLSEN, the Day of Silence is the largest student-led action to protest the bullying and harassment of LGBT people and their allies.

Participants take a day-long vow of silence and distribute or wear speaking cards with information about anti-LGBT bias and ways for students and others to “end the silence.”

Through "Breaking the Silence events," which are typically held at the end of the school day, students can speak out against harassment and demand change for their schools and communities.

The Day of Silence can be used as a tool to affect positive change, both individually and community-wide. The Day of Silence is designed to draw attention to the bullying and harassment faced by LGBT students everywhere.

Silence is used as a tactic to provide a space for personal reflections about the consequences of being silent and silenced. The Day of Silence is an effort that can raise awareness on this issue, prompting people to talk and think about it.

People are encouraged to participate in the way that they are most comfortable with. Some will be silent all day long. Others will hold a silent lunch. Still others will be vocal supporters. The key is that you call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment.

During the Day of Silence many will be communicating online to show their support of the Day of Silence. It’s definitely okay to use Facebook, Twitter, texting, and other forms of online communication during the Day of Silence, especially if you're spreading the word about the Day of Silence. GLSEN will be tweeting all Day of silence long.