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

[elcharrom]

Originally Posted by u-dog

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

It was alright it wasnt bad, a little time of my feet and I was ok. Plus Ive beaten up people trying to kick my ass for being gay, that guy that stabbed me just got me by surprise . But other than that its all good Dont yall worry bout me I can defend myself

But that shirt Idea with the picture and all is a GREAT idea, cuz I say if you want to make a difference you need to show the facts straight up and show the ugly part of it so people will take notice and see what htey doing when they preach hate against us. But do anybody know a good designer that would do this? Like all the contact detail? Cuz this will make a hell of a difference in the fight.

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by elcharrom

It was alright it wasnt bad, a little time of my feet and I was ok. Plus Ive beaten up people trying to kick my ass for being gay, that guy that stabbed me just got me by surprise . But other than that its all good Dont yall worry bout me I can defend myself

But that shirt Idea with the picture and all is a GREAT idea, cuz I say if you want to make a difference you need to show the facts straight up and show the ugly part of it so people will take notice and see what htey doing when they preach hate against us. But do anybody know a good designer that would do this? Like all the contact detail? Cuz this will make a hell of a difference in the fight.

Oh geez Louise. . . . I've heard that San Antonio area high schools are dangerous. That's - that's - just SO not okay!!!!!! No one should have to defend themselves at high school. Stabbings at school - that's absolutely unacceptable!!

Is this a common occurence? &*%!!!!!

[tpdncr4christ]

Originally Posted by elcharrom

It was alright it wasnt bad, a little time of my feet and I was ok. Plus Ive beaten up people trying to kick my ass for being gay, that guy that stabbed me just got me by surprise . But other than that its all good Dont yall worry bout me I can defend myself

But that shirt Idea with the picture and all is a GREAT idea, cuz I say if you want to make a difference you need to show the facts straight up and show the ugly part of it so people will take notice and see what htey doing when they preach hate against us. But do anybody know a good designer that would do this? Like all the contact detail? Cuz this will make a hell of a difference in the fight.

They stabbed you? As in stuck a very sharp blade of cold metal into you where it isn't supposed to be? That makes me sick...

[BrentRichards]

Originally Posted by elcharrom

It was alright it wasnt bad, a little time of my feet and I was ok. Plus Ive beaten up people trying to kick my ass for being gay, that guy that stabbed me just got me by surprise . But other than that its all good Dont yall worry bout me I can defend myself

But that shirt Idea with the picture and all is a GREAT idea, cuz I say if you want to make a difference you need to show the facts straight up and show the ugly part of it so people will take notice and see what htey doing when they preach hate against us. But do anybody know a good designer that would do this? Like all the contact detail? Cuz this will make a hell of a difference in the fight.

The worst part about this, buddy, is how life and society seems to have gotten you to take an "oh well" attitude toward it ... there is nothing "oh well" about this! It's a complete outrage, a very big deal, and reason to be mad as hell.

[elcharrom]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Oh geez Louise. . . . I've heard that San Antonio area high schools are dangerous. That's - that's - just SO not okay!!!!!! No one should have to defend themselves at high school. Stabbings at school - that's absolutely unacceptable!!

Is this a common occurence? &*%!!!!!

Well dont think people are going stabbing people, in San Antonio it aint like that, its like that in LA though, I used to go to middle skool there, the middle skool was worse than this high skool Im going to, thank God I got out of that. I just got stabbed because while I was trying to feel straight I got into the gang life and did things no one should be doin, and thats just what they do to gay guys, so its my fault, but I dont wanna make this thread about me, please I know yall worried but Its good now, Gods got my back

[elcharrom]

Originally Posted by BrentRichards

The worst part about this, buddy, is how life and society seems to have gotten you to take an "oh well" attitude toward it ... there is nothing "oh well" about this! It's a complete outrage, a very big deal, and reason to be mad as hell.

Oh believe me man, I got mad, trust. I dont have an oh well attitude towards it, I get pissed when people talk down to me for bein gay thats why I defend myself and beat em up when they try to. I defend myself and say that I do not do notin wrong, I take the nonviolent way, but when I do have to defend myself I do.

[Alecto]

I'm all for some good old fashioned research and fabric paints. And I do think that would help show the point of the day of silence.


That said, I tend to find the day of silence problematic for me to take part in, because I feel like it's really meant for straight allies. Cause...honestly? I've already been silent for 19 years, why should I do it again on a special day?

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by Alecto

I'm all for some good old fashioned research and fabric paints. And I do think that would help show the point of the day of silence.


That said, I tend to find the day of silence problematic for me to take part in, because I feel like it's really meant for straight allies. Cause...honestly? I've already been silent for 19 years, why should I do it again on a special day?

As a gesture of solidarity with those young gay folks growing up after you??
Or for those who in their current circumstances cannot afford the potential cost of coming out?

Eh, just a thought. Rhetorical question, rhetorical answer.

[seifer_boy]

This is done in schools? I never heard of that before. I never even heard of the Day of Silence before right now!

[sailaway58]

Day of Silence