The GLSEN Day of Silence is a student led national event from the middle school to the collegiate level that brings attention to anti-TBLG name calling, bullying and harassment in schools.
Students at those school levels take a vow of silence for the day to encourage classmates and school administrators to address the problem of anti-BTLG bullying and the silencing effect it has on LGBT students and those perceived to be GLBT.
It was started in 1996 at the University of Virginia by then student Maria Pulzetti as a response to a class assignment about non-violent protests. 150 UVA students took part in that inaugural day of Silence protest, and the next year it went national with over 100 colleges and universities participating in Day of Silence events. .
GLSEN became the official sponsor of the Day of Silence in 2001. Since them the Day of Silence has grown to become an international event with not only participation in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, but registered student groups in New Zealand, Singapore and Russia. Over 10,000 students every year have registered to be a part of Day of Silence events.
And it's plucking some right wing nerves, because these hate groups are taking the time to organize counter protests in opposition to the Day of Silence's anti-bullying message.
Typical of groups on the wrong side of human rights.
Hope this year's edition of the GLSEN Day of Silence is drama-free here and around the world.. .
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