Today marks the Day of Silence, when many students from middle grades to college choose to remain silent to protest the harm caused by harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ people in schools. This year, with a record number of anti-LGBTQ bills hitting young people especially hard, this silence needs to resonate more loudly than ever.
Almost all LGBTQ students hear anti-LGBTQ remarks at school, according to GLSEN’s most recent (2019) National School Climate Survey. Many feel unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, and many avoid extracurriculars, school functions, and even classes because of this.
Not only that, but this year, there are dozens of bills trying to stop transgender children from getting medically recommended care and to keep them from playing sports as themselves, plus educational gag orders that restrict curricula and materials, particularly if it discusses LGBTQ people, other marginalized people, and topics like race and racism, and a plethora of other book bans. This is government-sanctioned harassment. In many cases, it is taking away resources that are literally life saving. The need to counter these bills and to continue working towards more welcoming and inclusive school climates remains more pressing than ever.
GLSEN will be holding a virtual Breaking the Silence rally on Instagram at 7:00 p.m. ET tonight, but is also sharing resources for those participating in in-person Day of Silence events.
Silence isn’t the end goal here, of course. Students are staying silent today so that they and their peers can speak loudly and proudly tomorrow. May we help amplify their stories, and may the world listen.