Listen to the silence. As part of a national student-led demonstration, youth from middle grades to college are choosing to remain silent today, the GLSEN Day of Silence, to protest the harm caused by harassment and discrimination towards LGBTQ people in schools.
This year, with a record number of anti-LGBTQ bills once again, many directly targeting LGBTQ youth, the silence needs to be louder than ever.
A whopping 81.8% of LGBTQ+ students reported feeling unsafe in school because of at least one of their actual or perceived personal characteristics, according to GLSEN’s most recent (2021) National School Climate Survey. One third (33%) said they missed a day of school in the past month because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable. More than 70% reported avoiding school functions and extracurricular activities for the same reasons.
As was the case last year, there are currently dozens of bills at the state and national level trying to stop transgender children from getting medically recommended care, to keep them from playing sports as themselves, and even to prevent teachers and peers from referring to them by their chosen names and pronouns. There are record numbers of book bans as well as educational gag orders that restrict curricula and materials, particularly if they discuss LGBTQ people, other marginalized people, and topics like race and racism. 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 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 ideas and resources for those participating in other Day of Silence events throughout the day.
Wondering about students’ right to participate in the Day of Silence? Lambda Legal has the FAQ for you.
Silence isn’t the end goal here, of course. Students are staying silent today so they and their peers can speak loudly and proudly tomorrow. May we help amplify their stories, and may the world listen.