Students in Day of Silence to Support LGBT Equality
Tuesday 6th May 2008
Thousands of American students will help support the LGBT community as part of the National Day of Silence.
Image by Kim Boek
The event, in which students will remain silent throughout the day, is an effort to bring attention to the plight of LGBT students, teachers and staff. More than 6,000 schools across the country have registered to take part in the event organized by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). More than 500,000 students have participated in past events.
US Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin is a supporter of the event, which this year is dedicated to recently murdered gay 8th grader Lawrence King. Baldwin said: "Larry's death is an unnecessary reminder of what we already know: lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students continue to face pervasive harassment and victimization in schools.”
"As students use their silence to demand schools are safe for all students, it is my hope that we in Congress will use our voices to ensure that it be so."
As with any event promoting LGBT equality, religious opponents have come out of the woodwork. The American Family Association (AFA), a conservative Christian group which supports criminalising homosexuality and fights equal-rights and hate crime legislation, spoke out against the Day of Silence.
A statement released by the AFA said: "The National Day of Silence will lead the students to believe that every person who identifies as a homosexual, bisexual or cross-dresser is a victim of ongoing, unrelenting harassment and hate.”
"Students are taught that homosexuality is a worthy lifestyle, homosexuality has few or no risks, and individuals are born homosexual and cannot change.”
The AFA is urging parents to keep their children home from school in protest of the Day of Silence.
Meanwhile, students in several other countries have taken up the cause as well. At least one British University will take part in the event.
Image by Kim Boek
The event, in which students will remain silent throughout the day, is an effort to bring attention to the plight of LGBT students, teachers and staff. More than 6,000 schools across the country have registered to take part in the event organized by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). More than 500,000 students have participated in past events.
US Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin is a supporter of the event, which this year is dedicated to recently murdered gay 8th grader Lawrence King. Baldwin said: "Larry's death is an unnecessary reminder of what we already know: lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students continue to face pervasive harassment and victimization in schools.”
"As students use their silence to demand schools are safe for all students, it is my hope that we in Congress will use our voices to ensure that it be so."
As with any event promoting LGBT equality, religious opponents have come out of the woodwork. The American Family Association (AFA), a conservative Christian group which supports criminalising homosexuality and fights equal-rights and hate crime legislation, spoke out against the Day of Silence.
A statement released by the AFA said: "The National Day of Silence will lead the students to believe that every person who identifies as a homosexual, bisexual or cross-dresser is a victim of ongoing, unrelenting harassment and hate.”
"Students are taught that homosexuality is a worthy lifestyle, homosexuality has few or no risks, and individuals are born homosexual and cannot change.”
The AFA is urging parents to keep their children home from school in protest of the Day of Silence.
Meanwhile, students in several other countries have taken up the cause as well. At least one British University will take part in the event.
