Too many LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) students face discrimination and harassment on a daily basis. In fact, 84% of LGBT youth report being harassed at school (according to a Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network, or GLSEN survey). 28% of these teens drop out of school due to this harassment. Many would agree that the school environment should be a nurturing one rather than a hostile one, and the Day of Silence aims to encourage that.

The GLSEN Day of Silence is an annual, student-led protest held all over the world. For one day every year, students choosing to participate in the protest take a vow of silence (either for the entire day, or just for the school day) as a protest against LGBT bullying, name-calling, and harassment. The silence this creates is symbolic of the silencing effects of this harassment, and serves to draw attention to the issue which is often ignored by schools and classmates. This event is powerful: according to the Harris Interactive Survey, “students from schools with clear policies on LGBT-related bullying are less likely to report a serious harassment problem, report higher rates of feeling safe at school, [and] are one-third less likely to skip a class.”

Students choosing to participate may encounter some conflicts, however. Peers and staff may not know about the protest, so the organization that holds the event offers some informative note cards that protesters can give to people who ask about it. The 2015 Day of Silence is being held on Friday, April 17th. Students interested in participating tomorrow will be happy to know that they will not be alone. Shh… #DayofSilence