HEAR ME OUT MY LGBTQ POV | SPONSORED BY UW CREDIT UNION
Observing National Day of Silence, APRIL 23
BY PAUL MASTERSON
T
he 25th anniversary of the National Day of Silence takes place on Friday, April 23. First organized by GLSEN (Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network, pronounced like “glisten”) in 1996, traditionally, the Day of Silence is a high visibility event highlighting the pervasive bullying, harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ students in the nation’s schools and universities. Barring a return to the classroom before the date, this year’s observance, just over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic with many schools still functioning online only,
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will lack the usual expressions of the Day of Silence. Normally, these would include the requisite silence itself, themed apparel, buttons and signage, as well as concluding silence-breaking rallies held at the end of the school day. This year, it seems, students and allies will tailor their actions to accommodate the prevailing conditions and participate virtually. The importance of the observance, no matter how it is expressed, reflects the reality of school life for a large part of the LGBTQ student population. Surveys taken as recently as 2020 indicate a pervasive
culture of bullying and discrimination targeting that group specifically. As a result, LGBTQ youth rates of anxiety, depression and suicide are significantly higher than their heterosexual schoolmates. For students of color, the rates are even higher. This year, the strain of the restrictions required in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have increased loneliness and isolation faced by youths. That also adds to their stress due to the lack of social outlets through in-person school activities, access to Gay-Straight Alliances and other support resources.
