The Day of Silence: Education and Support of Gender Identity

If you're an LGBTQIA+ youth or young adult in crisis, reach out to The Trevor Project hotline by calling 1-866-488-7386 or texting "START" to 678-678. You can also use their online chat. 

The Day of Silence occurs on the second Friday of April every year. It's an essential and well-known event within the LGBTQIA+ community. On this official day, hundreds of thousands of participants take a vow of silence to protest the anti lgbt bullying and harassment faced by LGBTQIA+ students due to their sexual orientation.

Individuals and society can take various steps throughout the year to support LGBTQIA+ students and bring attention to the voices of those in this community. Whether you're a part of the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally, you can drive awareness to this annual nonviolent protest in a few ways.

What is the Day of Silence?

Considered more than just a holiday, the Day of Silence is an event dedicated to spreading awareness about the harmful effects of harassment and bullying on LGBTQIA+ students. The first Day of Silence took place in 1996. It was founded by two college students at the University of Virginia. In 2001, GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), an organization founded by teachers that strives to advise on, research, and advocate for policies that care for LGBTQIA+ students, became the official organizational sponsor of the Day of Silence. Days dedicated to this cause are observed annually by LGBTQIA+ students and allies alike to foster a supportive, inclusive environment. 

Research on LGBTQIA+ students and youth shows that:

• In 2021, 75% of LGBTQIA+ youth between 13 and 24 said they'd faced discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity at some point in their lives. Over half had experienced discrimination over the year preceding the survey.

• Youth between the ages of 13 and 24 in the LGBTQIA+ community who had connections to affirming spaces reported lower rates of suicide attempts. For transgender and nonbinary youth, having pronouns respected by individuals they lived with and the ability to change their name and gender marker on legal documents notably decreased suicide risk.

• 29% of transgender youth have been threatened or injured with a weapon on school property, whereas only 7% of cisgender youth have had this experience. About 16% of lesbian or gay youth and 11% of bisexual youth have been threatened or injured with a weapon on school property, compared to 7% of their straight counterparts.

• 43% of transgender youth faced bullying on school property in 2019, indicating that bullying had increased for transgender youth since 2017. In addition, 29% of lesbian or gay youth and 31% of bisexual youth experienced bullying on school property.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or text 988 to talk to a crisis provider over SMS. They are available 24/7 to offer support. 988 also offers an online chat for those with an internet connection.

The history of the Day of Silence

The Day of Silence has been observed every year since 1996, the year of its conception. Let’s take a closer look at how this day came about, and how it has continued to develop over the years. 

Day of Silence: How it began

On the University of Virginia campus, students Maria Pulzetti and Jessie Gilliam noticed that LGBTQ youth seemed to be silenced on all sides. Their concerns were ignored by parents, teachers, and administrators. Maria and fellow students decided to hold an event that was not limited to panel discussions for those already aware, but that was visible to the entire school.

How this day spread across the country

The Day of Silence started as a one-off event at UVA’s Pride Week, but by the next year was being held at over 100 educational institutions. Then, in 2000 Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) picked up the event as an official project. What started as a reaction to one school department failing to hear its LGBTQ students became an event observed across the country.

Who does the Day of Silence support?

The Day of Silence is for the support of all members of the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ people include:

• Gay and lesbian people 
• Transgender people 
• Bisexual and Pansexual people 
• Intersex people 
• Asexual and aromantic people 
• Queer or questioning people

Straight men and women can also get involved as allies to support the community as well. 

How to participate and support LGBTQIA+ students on a school day

Traditionally, the Day of Silence is observed by students remaining silent throughout the school day as a symbolic way to reclaim forced silence among LGBTQIA+ students. They proceed to break the silence at the end of the day. However, there are ways to get involved and support LGBTQIA+ students beyond staying silent on the Day Of Silence, no matter who you are. Whether you're a public school educator, student, parent, philanthropist with new funding to give or someone who cares about the cause, there are actionable steps you can take, including but not limited to the following.

Participate as a student

If you are a student, you can participate in the Day of Silence by taking a vow to remain silent throughout the day and participating in an organized "break the silence" event at the end of the school day. Several resources can help you get started with the Day of Silence at your school or create an organized day of action as a student leader.

The sample Day of Silence resolution on the GLSEN website may also be helpful.

Have a no-tolerance policy 

Do not tolerate homophobic remarks, bullying, transphobia, or other forms of violence at home, school, or the workplace. 

Fight back against anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation

Despite the strides the community has made with LGBTQIA+ rights, the rights of LGBTQIA+ people are still under attack across the globe, with legislation affecting education and the ability to participate in sports, healthcare, and other areas. Stay informed on anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation and get involved in the fight against it, even if it’s via a virtual rally.

Care for yourself 

If you belong to the LGBTQIA+ community, taking the time to take care of yourself can be crucial. Social support, surrounding yourself with people who embrace who you are, and connection to affirming care, including therapists working with people of the LGBTQIA+ population, can all make a difference. 

If you're looking for a community, you may be able to find GSAs, support groups, local LGBTQIA+ centers, or online avenues for connection. Various mental health concerns disproportionately impact individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community, including substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, and other mental health conditions. Having the support of a professional can be essential in these challenges. 

Student rights, laws, and free expression

Understanding your rights to protest as a student can be integral to participating in an event like the Day of Silence. 

First amendment protections in schools

The First Amendment allows for free expression and may be invoked during non-instructional time at school. However, the law can restrict its use during active instruction. Students rights dictate that an individual may participate in silent protest during lunch breaks and other breaks, and before and after school silence rallies. 

Understanding your responsibilities 

Responsibility in exercising your first amendment rights in the classroom can mean understanding how to use that power effectively and respectfully. Understand and prepare for the fact that teachers may be able to insist on class participation or discussions during active class time, and recognize that there may be consequences for maintaining silence. 

How educators and schools can support the day of silence

While this event is a day of student-led protest, teachers and administrators can help to support the Day of Silence. 

Creating inclusive learning environments

If you are an educator or work in a school setting, you can allow students to engage in the Day of Silence, which is often a solely student-led day. You can also support students by not forcing them to speak if they are participating in the Day of Silence. Teachers can also support the cause by:

• Designing speaking cards for students to use in class
• Creating a Day of Silence class project for students to get involved, such as making pro LGBTQIA+ t-shirts
• Help them preserve the right to participate by backing them up as they remain silent

School departments and staff roles

GLSEN has an inclusive curriculum guide for educators to make their curriculum more inclusive of all students. As a department, you can let your teachers know where to find this guide, and allow them to support the students during the school day by allowing them to maintain silence, as well as use the classroom to educate on LGBTQ history. You can advocate for department heads to promote an environment that doesn’t set students up for failure but offers solidarity and hope.

How friends, family, and volunteers can help

Volunteers can also be a strong support for the Day of Silence. Friends and family can get involved by encouraging their students to become involved in the event, and by helping them prepare speech cards to explain their participation. They may also work as volunteers or attend the break the silence rally at the end of the day. 

Why the Day of Silence Matters

The Day of Silence exists to educate, to show solidarity, and to offer hope. Today, there are still large groups that fight to suppress the voices of LGBTQ individuals and to roll back their rights. The Day of Silence can help to encourage people to speak out and show their support to fight back against those who would silence LGBTQ voices. 

Finding mental health support 

Young LGBTQIA+ people experiencing LGBTQIA+ youth-related problems may benefit from speaking with a therapist or counselor specializing in supporting LGBT youth. You can find a therapist or counselor to work with through your university if you are a student, or you can search the web or use an online directory to find an affirming therapist in your area. 

Talk to an LGBTQIA+-affirming therapist with BetterHelp

Finding an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist in some locations can be difficult. Still, online therapy platforms like BetterHelp strive to make receiving support more convenient. When you sign up, you'll take a brief questionnaire to match you with a professional who meets your needs. You can opt to see a licensed therapist through the platform who specializes in working with people of the LGBTQIA+ population if you choose. 

Online therapy is not a replacement for crisis care. Still, it provides an opportunity for individuals to get quality mental health support from the comfort of their own homes or anywhere they have a stable and reliable internet connection. Getting started with a therapist is often faster than working face-to-face. In addition, you don't have to worry about commuting to an office or being on a waiting list. 

Research shows that internet-based modalities can be as effective as in-person care for various mental health conditions and that people sometimes prefer it over in-person services.