The Day of Silence

[tpdncr4christ]

Does anyone here know of the Day of Silence '08? Or better yet does anyone know any contact info for the people in charge. I have some ideas about making the day more well received as well as fund raising opportunities at the same time.

The day always seems like it w\has good intentions but it isn't done the right way. My impression of the day is that we are silent for those who have been silenced by homophobia and oppression. I don't really think that society quite gets it when we were black and don't talk for a day.

What I would really love is for someone, perhaps a gay fashion designer, to create a series of t-shirts that stated "I am silent for _____" then had the name, picture, and life span of a victim of homophobic suicide or a hate crime, and a small G rated version of their death. I think that if we walked around for a day, not talking, with our clothing communicating that we are silent for ____ then the point of the day might be more well received and better accepted, even possibly understood. Anyone agree to that? Any ideas how we could get something of that nature started?

[Jennifer5]

Hmmm.... don't know how to make that happen, but I LOVE the idea!!

Never participated in 'the day of silence' before, partially because I don't know much about it... and partially because if it's during the school year, then I really couldn't (seeing my sister and I are the secretaries at the school).

But I really like the idea... and I actually think it would be really cool if it could just be left with the line... then each person could write with a perminate market what they were being silent for. If it meant more to someone they could just say that name of an individual who they loved and lost.


Yea? no?

[Ryanne Monday]

That does sound like a great idea but the movement itself would be huge on a massive scale to get the point across.
Our school participates every year by GSA designing a shirt for everyone who signs up. Usually there only a total of four people so I guess if we really spent some time on the shirts it could kinda immitate the idea.
Hmmmm, well if someone does find a way I'll do everything in my power to support.
Sorry.

[u-dog]

Austin,

Try contacting GLSEN http://www.glsen.org They are the national body that coordinates gay/straight alliance groups in high schools, middle schools, and colleges. I think they may be the ones that coordinate the National Day of Silence. At least, they will KNOW who does.

Dave

[Progo35]

Gordon College has done the day of silence since 2003. When kids do it, they carry cards explaining what they are doing on behalf of the LGBT community. I think that your idea about T-shirts and personalizing the problem is a good one, though.

[Zerbie]

Great idea Austin!!

I think for sure that idea can be played out on a local level. Will you be in college in spring of 08? Here's what I suggest: join whatever group or committee sponsors the DOS at your school. Suggest the T shirt idea to them - my bet is, any LGBT group doing DOS will love the idea. As far as I understand it, each local student group decides what their DOS is going to look like.

I've participated twice and don't feel that it made much impact, but that's largely because the responses I get kinda go:

"Hi Zerbie, how are you?"

Zerbie smiles brightly and nods.

"Oh! You're not talking today? Uh oh - your voice? You're on vocal rest! What's wrong? Laryngitis?"

Zerbie shakes head vehemently and smiles, points to T shirt.

"Ohhhh!!!! Today's the Day of Silence?!"

Zerbie nods.

"Oh God I forgot! I gotta go get my tee shirt!!"

[rainbow7]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Great idea Austin!!

I think for sure that idea can be played out on a local level. Will you be in college in spring of 08? Here's what I suggest: join whatever group or committee sponsors the DOS at your school. Suggest the T shirt idea to them - my bet is, any LGBT group doing DOS will love the idea. As far as I understand it, each local student group decides what their DOS is going to look like.

I've participated twice and don't feel that it made much impact, but that's largely because the responses I get kinda go:

"Hi Zerbie, how are you?"

Zerbie smiles brightly and nods.


"Oh! You're not talking today? Uh oh - your voice? You're on vocal rest! What's wrong? Laryngitis?"

Zerbie shakes head vehemently and smiles, points to T shirt.

"Ohhhh!!!! Today's the Day of Silence?!"

Zerbie nods.

"Oh God I forgot! I gotta go get my tee shirt!!"

Way to go, Zerbie! I like the personalized shirt idea, too. I've been quite moved by the teenagers I know who've started and supported DOS in their high schools, and they've told me mostly positive stories about teachers who were supportive as well. It is difficult to measure the impact any action like this has....I think we just have to keep being faithful and remember that we're not individually responsible for outcomes -- just called to do what we can.

Polly

[Jennifer5]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Great idea Austin!!

I think for sure that idea can be played out on a local level. Will you be in college in spring of 08? Here's what I suggest: join whatever group or committee sponsors the DOS at your school. Suggest the T shirt idea to them - my bet is, any LGBT group doing DOS will love the idea. As far as I understand it, each local student group decides what their DOS is going to look like.

I've participated twice and don't feel that it made much impact, but that's largely because the responses I get kinda go:

"Hi Zerbie, how are you?"

Zerbie smiles brightly and nods.

"Oh! You're not talking today? Uh oh - your voice? You're on vocal rest! What's wrong? Laryngitis?"

Zerbie shakes head vehemently and smiles, points to T shirt.

"Ohhhh!!!! Today's the Day of Silence?!"

Zerbie nods.

"Oh God I forgot! I gotta go get my tee shirt!!"

[elcharrom]

I got stabbed for doing that last year at my skool maybe I should not do it this year, but I might change skools so I dont know

[u-dog]

Originally Posted by elcharrom

I got stabbed for doing that last year at my skool maybe I should not do it this year, but I might change skools so I dont know

Jorge! You got stabbed for observing the National Day of Silence? You NEED to change schools!! Whatever you do... stay safe!

Gosh, do you think we need hate crimes legislation in America? Naw! that would be giving gay people "special rights". Like the special right of not being stabbed in your High school. GRRRRRRR