Importance
Created in 1996 and held the
second Friday of every April (April 9), Day of Silence is a campaign that seeks
to shed light on what many LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) youth
experience daily. Initially intended to focus on this problem within the school
system, it has since expanded into workplaces, university campuses, and
sporting events. Yearly, millions participate by staying silent for the
duration of their day, representing the silencing of LGBTQ students.
History of Day of Silence
Day of Silence was created by a
University of Virginia student named Maria Pulzetti. She felt that LGBTQ youth
were consistently silenced and ignored by parents and administrators, and that
their concerns and complaints were falling on deaf ears. Inspired by this,
Maria created the Day of Silence as a one-time event held during the
University’s LGBTQ pride week. She believed the day would promote awareness
amongst those who might not have been tuned into these issues, by surrounding
them with a silence they couldn’t help but notice.
In 1997, one year after the day’s
creation, it went national, with over 100 institutions participating. In 2000,
GLSEN
(formerly
the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network), one of the largest LGBTQ
education networks in the country, adopted the Day of Silence as one of their
official projects. Today, students at all levels participate in the day. Many
participants choose to wear tape over their mouths or Xs on their hands to
further call attention to the movement.
At the end of day, the silence is typically broken with a rally or speaking event, allowing all participants to end their vow together. Although some school districts oppose the day, considering it disruptive, most support it, actively encouraging participation through the school’s LGBTQ alliance clubs. Today, there are over 10,000 institutions registered as participants in the day of silence. All 50 states are represented in this number, as well as a number of other countries, including Singapore and New Zealand. Day of Silence continues to grow, as more and more people become aware of the issues facing LGBTQ youth.