This Friday, April 11th is the eighteenth annual National Day of Silence. The Day of Silence was first held in 1996 at the University of Virginia as a silent protest to anti-gay bullying in schools. Today, it sends an even larger message, representing and honoring the struggle of the LGBT rights movement. All week, the GSA (Gender-Sexuality Alliance) has been distributing buttons and rainbow ribbons for students to wear to show their support. Students are invited to take a vow of silence for the day to honor those LGBT voices who have been silenced by violence, name calling, and systemic oppression. In particular, those LGBT youth who have taken their lives as a result of this bullying and harassment are honored and remember od on this day. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are three times more likely to commit suicide than their straight peers. Nearly half of trans* youth have considered suicide, and one quarter report making a suicide attempt.

It is important to note that students do not have to remain silent for a portion of the day in order to show their support. Tomorrow, students can wear a button or a rainbow pin to show their support for LGBT rights and equality for everyone in and outside of school. For students who do choose to remain silent throughout the school day, the GSA recommends that you take a card explaining why you are silent and talk to teachers in advance, particularly if they count participation points during class. While being silent for an entire day can be a major challenge, being forcibly silenced in school every single day by peers and even teachers is infinitely more difficult. Making the effort to stay silent shows respect for those individuals and tells people you stand for justice through a peaceful, silent protest.