A Day of Silence is the largest student-led action towards creating a safer school for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression of gender. On April 15, 2011, students across the country took a vow of silence to call attention to the "silencing effect" of anti-LGBT bullying in schools.
No matter what sexual orientation or expression of a gender one may have, they do have equal rights to the education in this country. So why is it that anti-LGBT bullying is so high? The victims of this abuse do not feel comfortable in school when they do attend. A main problem is children that are being harassed are not going to their classes where they are being bullied or not going to school at all. This is a huge problem. The education environment should be conducive for all students, not just the jocks, or the so-called straight, good kids. It should be for everyone. Children are not raising their hands when a question arises because of the way their speech may sound. Sometimes the teacher will not call on a child specifically because of this reason. I think this is ridiculous! As a future educator it is and will be my job to embrace all types of people I have in my classroom. Everyone has the power and privilege of free speech. Unfortunately some are not using theirs because of the way they may sound. Some children fear that they may offend someone or get harassed.
On this day of silence students around the country are giving up their voices for all of the voices that are not heard at all because of harassment. The first step is to end this practice. So as future educators it is our job to embrace the voice that they do have. This needs to occur no matter what it may sound like. I completely support A Day of Silence. This I hope to have a full day implemented during the curriculum where the classes participate in completing the activities using another way to communicate with their peers.
You can download GLSEN’s Safe Space Kit at
Here are some links for more information on this interesting method.
I think it's a good idea to have a day where kids can really sit and think about the meaning of GLSEN. Maybe the next time they encounter someone with a different orientation than them, they'll be more respectful of their beliefs
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