Comments on: GLSEN’s Day of Silence*

By: Life Underage

Life Underage — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:11:06 +0000

I participated at my high school with two of my lesbian friends. I live in Dallas, which has in the past banned DOS. This year, the Wednesday before, it was announced on the news that schools would not stand in the way of participation. So we made little cards that explained what we were doing and gave them to everyone who asked, and we wore shirts that said “SILENCE” across the shirt. We definitely made a statement.

It was the first time anyone had participated at my school, and by the end of the day, we all were in agreement that it was one of the most amazing and purposeful experiences.

[I was especially surprised at the number of teachers and students who asked me what LGBT meant... :/ ]

By: Lesbian Dad

Lesbian Dad — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 23:58:55 +0000

Wow, thank you for sharing this. What an intense 16th birthday. What a journey for him (and, depending on what he may have said — or not — today, what a journey for his fellow travelers).

By: hahnathome

hahnathome — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 23:49:38 +0000

My son participated last year and was one of the only kids to do so at the high school he attended. This year, he was on spring break and went on a mission to Mexico with his church (not my church). He spoke to me on the way to starting his journey how he knew DOS was on the 17th (also he and his twins’ 16th birthday) and how conflicted he was. The people he would be traveling with were Yes on 8, the church took that stand from the pulpit. Then we got to have the conversation about what it’s like for many gay people having to walk this tightrope all the time – what can and can’t be revealed about their life. How having to decide whether to participate in DOS with this group would be a very difficult decision. I think he really got that. I don’t know how he ended up resolving it – I’ll find out when he gets home tomorrow. He’s a fascinating child. So glad he doesn’t share my gene pool.

By: Vikki

Vikki — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:08:15 +0000

My kids go to a school at which ANY type of teasing/bullying is immediately addressed and I am thankful for that on a daily basis. But, this should be a RIGHT for every child not a privilege for some.

By: rev2bebt

rev2bebt — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:42:48 +0000

Judith Warner had a good article about homophobic bullying in today’s New York Times, with the point that the issue is less about sex, per se, than about “proper” gender typing. In some ways, this society treats little girls – who may be hockey-playing-princesses – far more fairly than little boys, who may only play hockey.

The greatest finger-wagging “SHAME ON YOU” goes to the educated adults who let this teasing go on, who react with equal horror (or laughter) at the words “fag” or “dyke”, who give these words the power to hurt.

By: awholelotofnothing

awholelotofnothing — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:09:59 +0000

Very well said. It is SHOCKING the lack of attention that is put on hate speech and bullying in schools.

The need for equality should not be ignored.