FAQs: About the Day of Silence

Apr 26, 2006

Now in its tenth year, the Day of Silence, a project of GLSEN� or the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network in collaboration with the United States Student Association (USSA), is a student-led day of action where those who support making anti-LGBT bullying and harassment unacceptable in schools participate in events to recognize and protest the discrimination and harassment�in effect, the silencing�experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students and their allies.

The Day of Silence� is an annual opportunity for students to tell their truths about anti-LGBT bullying, violence and harassment. A GLSEN� commissioned survey, From Teasing to Torment: School Climate in America conducted by Harris Interactive, found that sexual orientation and gender expression are among the top three reasons teens report that students are harassed at their schools. GLSEN�s 2003 National School Climate Survey found that 4 out of 5 LGBT students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment at school and more than 30% report missing at least a day of school in the past month out of fear for their personal safety.

Who started the Day of Silence�?

In 1996 students at the University of Virginia organized the first Day of Silence� with over 150 students participating. In 1997 organizers took their effort national and nearly 100 colleges and universities participated. In 2001 GLSEN� became the official organizational sponsor with new funding, staff and volunteers.

Has the Day of Silence� been successful?

In last year�s Day of Silence�, more than 450,000 students at nearly 4,000 K-12 schools, colleges and universities participated in events. This made the Day of Silence in 2005 the largest, student-led grassroots action on LGBT issues in American history. GLSEN� spokespersons have appeared on national media outlets and there has always been extensive local media coverage from coast to coast.

Why do we need a Day of Silence�?

The unfortunate truth is that anti-LGBT bullying, violence and harassment is rampant in America�s schools. A GLSEN� commissioned survey, From Teasing to Torment: School Climate in America conducted by Harris Interactive, found that sexual orientation and gender expression are among the top three reasons teens report that students are harassed at their schools. GLSEN�s 2003 National School Climate Survey found that 4 out of 5 LGBT students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment at school and more than 30% report missing at least a day of school in the past month out of fear for their personal safety. The Day of Silence� helps bring us closer to making anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and name-calling unacceptable in America�s schools.

Does the work end after the day is over?

The Day of Silence� is one element of a larger effort to create safe schools for all students. Many communities, in addition to supporting the Day of Silence�, host Breaking The Silence events, rallies, legislative lobby days, performances and more � both on the Day of Silence� and all-year round. We are also asking our national leaders to support policies that create safe schools for all. Many communities are asking their local and state leaders to support and implement similar policies.

What is GLSEN�?

GLSEN�, or the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, now in its tenth year, is the leading national education organization addressing the serious problems of anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment that affect ALL students � LGBT and straight alike � in our nation�s schools. Established nationally in 1995, GLSEN� envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. For more information on GLSEN�s educational resources, public education campaigns, public policy agenda, student organizing programs, research or development initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.

What do you have to say about potential critics to the Day of Silence�?

The issue at hand is the bullying, harassment, name-calling and violence that students see and face in our schools. The Day of Silence� is an activity created and led by students to tell their truth and educate their peers on how to bring an end to this harassment.

Those who do not support the Day of Silence� often protest, but rarely contribute positively to finding ways to end anti-LGBT harassment. In the past, some individuals and groups have organized days in response to the Day of Silence. These events grossly mischaracterize and often simply misunderstand the basic purpose of the Day of Silence. Bringing attention to these events, which are so often based on mistruth, only adds a false credibility to their misinformation about the Day of Silence�, GLSEN� and the 500,000 students across America participating on April 26.

Do Day of Silence� activities detract from the school day?

GLSEN� encourages students to participate in the Day of Silence in cooperation with their schools. We encourage students to get support from their principals and educators and participate in the school day as needed.

While some students choose to be silent for the day, some participants are simply silent for part of the day, during lunch, or at community events. Students may also participate in �Breaking the Silence� rallies, events at which students come together at the day�s end to express themselves and share their experiences with members of their local communities.