In 1996, a university student group was brainstorming for a class assignment on non-violent protests when the topic of LGBT+ bullying and harassment was brought to the table. Working together with 150 student peer participants, this group spear-headed one of the most popular pro-LGBT+ rights demonstrations across the country- National Day of Silence.
On this day, all who show support for LGBT+ individuals don't speak a word, staying silent either for a select period of time (i.e. 9 am - 5 pm) or the entire day. This is done to show respect for and stand in solidarity with all of the people who have been effectively silenced by harassment, discrimination, violence, and/or bullying for identifying or presumed to be LGBT+. Later, as the original students grew older and the movement expanded, national LGBT+ organization GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network) took over the operations in 2001.
In addition to remaining silent for the entirety or a portion of a select Friday in April (April 15th, 2016), students may organize events on both a small and large scale. Putting duct tape across their mouths as a visual representation of silence, signing pledges, holding film screenings, and starting a pro-LGBT+ dialogue in the days previous are all ways that this message of acceptance can be spread in accordance with the mission of non-violence.
As president of NU Alliance (GSA at Niagara University), in teamwork with my Vice President and Secretary, we organized events to raise awareness for this important day. We chalked important facts about the LGBT+ community (such as: "85% of LGBT+ students were verbally harassed in the last year nationwide") in high traffic areas, asked students to "pledge to end the silence" on posters, and were present at a recent conference on fostering racial and social justice put on by a fellow human rights club on campus- the BSU.
But if you can't organize or participate in events such as these, or even stay silent during the Day of Silence, always try your hardest to work toward equality for all people regardless of race, age, ability, ethnicity, social or economic class, or sexuality.
We are all people. We all deserve respect.
What will you do to end the silence?
