Day of (No) Silence

With all of the discrimination and anti-queer legislature being passed I know it feels like we can’t do much, a lot of us feel stuck. But there is something we can do. On April 12th, students, educators, and many others will be participating in the nonviolent Day of (No) Silence protest.

What is the Day of (No) Silence?

It was first organized in 1996 by a group of students at the University of Virginia for a project. They achieved their goal of creating a nonviolent protest with over 150 students participating. The protest reached the national level in 1997, almost 100 schools and colleges were participating in the Day of Silence (will be referred to as DOS). As time passed, the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) became an official sponsor with funding, staff, and volunteer work. While DOS started as a vow of silence (often with tape pressed over the mouth), GLSEN has taken initiative to make changes. As more anti-LGBTIQ laws and bills are spread, action needs to be made. They’ve coined a new phrase of Rise Up and Take Action. This is a chance to be loud and proud. Speak up against injustice and discrimination. Protest the harmful effects of hatred in schools. Silence is still an option for those who feel unsafe or uncomfortable speaking out, the point of this movement is to spread awareness by any means. Your participation is important no matter what route you take. Upon registering/participating, you become a part of an over 1.5 million person movement nation-wide.

Why is the Day of (No) Silence needed?

Over 68% of queer students felt unsafe at school due to hostility based on actual or perceived gender expression, gender identity, or sexual orientation. 76% were verbally harassed, 31% physically. Over 12% we physically assaulted. Students nation-wide hear and experience things that have silencing effects on their expression and identity. That’s what the Day of (No) Silence is about. Break the silence or make the silence known.

How can I participate?

GLSEN covers several ways to participate in this protest on their website, I’ll be summing it all up in this post. In this day in age, many of us are online actively. You can use this to your advantage. Share posts on your social media profiles during DOS, spread the word. Post videos, stories, resources, whatever you can. You can write a letter to your former or current school administrators outlining how inclusion would matter to you and many others. Anyone 13+ that was in middle or high school in the US last year, fill out this survey to share experiences with GLSEN to help their cause. To all my other queer writers (13-18), you can enter the 2024 Rainbow Writes contest to help fight book bans! Write the story YOU want to see here. If you’re legally allowed to vote, register to vote to have your voice heard. Send a postcard to your state representative to tell them to fight for protections of queer people in schools, advocating for Title IX to protect queer youth. Every postcard sent through the link donates $1 to GLSEN. Look up events happening in your area and join in. Look for your local GLSEN chapter and volunteer! Donations can be made to GLSEN to help boost and support them. DOS merch is being sold on their website as well as their general merch, buy some to show support! You can even start a fundraising page to raise money to help queer youth in schools. GLSEN has an entire page on how to prepare for DOS that can help you initiate! 

To students that are participating in silent protest instead of speaking out.

Remember, this is a movement and not an excuse to not participate in class. If you know you need to participate in something that day, make arrangements with that teacher beforehand for an alternate assignment you can possibly do to make up participation points. Right click or hold the photo below this paragraph to download the talking card explaining your silence.

Ideas for educators (can be adapted for other workers/workspaces)

As educators and workers, taking a vow of silence is definitely not in the cards. This is your time to shine and grasp the no silence part of DOS. You can set up a DOS table with stickers, information cards, and buttons that explain what the point of the protest is. If you want to go school wide and be loud and proud, organize a Breaking the Silence assembly or rally. But please, be careful with this one. Things from this article on how to prepare can be adapted for workspaces outside of schools!

Stay safe

Safety is always key when protesting, same goes for this one. If you feel a situation is becoming unsafe, leave. Your safety is more important than anything. I know many of us want to fight (myself included), but I don't want anyone getting hurt to try and make a point. We have found that does not work and we shouldn't resort to being harmed to speak out. I love you all so much. Get out there.