Day of Silence
From RationalWiki
Day of Silence is the annual protest organized by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. Established in 1996 by students from the University of Virginia, it is held every April. The following year, over 100 colleges and universities participated. In 2000, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network integrated Day of Silence as an official project.
On this occasion, students take a vow of silence in order to represent LGBT students and their supporters being silenced. It is meant to discourage bullying and harassment from other students and faculty. The vow of silence may last the whole day or just a portion. Messages over the PA system, pins/cards/pamphlets being handed out sometimes are used as well.
Unlike Teaparty protests organized by Fox News, Day of Silence is completely grassroots, and has been called "the largest one-day student-led grassroots action on LGBT rights in American history."[1]
In 2010 the 16th of April has been designated.
[edit] Opposition
Of course, Day of Silence has not escaped the eyes of right-wing Christians. Since 2005, the Day of Truth has been working "to counter the promotion of the homosexual agenda and express an opposing viewpoint from a Christian perspective.[2]. During this day, held the day after the Day of Silence, students are encouraged to spout homophobic hate speech without fear of repercussions.
The Day of Truth is inspired by the tale of Tyler Chase Harper, a high school student from California. As the legend goes, the day after the Day of Silence, 2004, Harper came into school wearing a t-shirt with masking tape on it. Written on the tape was "Homosexuality is shameful - Romans 1:27" and "Be ashamed, our school has embraced what God condemned." Harper was pulled from classes by the administration.
Harper, a devout Christian, took offense that the school was limiting his First Amendment right to free speech and tried to sue the school board. This garnered some local and national media attention. In the end, the California Ninth Circuit Court ruled in favor of the school 2-1.[3]
Harper has since moved on to college, still speaking out against homosexuality. Look out for more from this kid in the future![4]
The following year, the Alliance Defense Fund set up the Day of Truth. 1100 students in 350 schools are reported to have participated in the first year. Two years later, the ADF claimed over 7000 students participated.[5]
Like Harper, the ADF loves to push the First Amendment. In 2006, they filed a lawsuit against a school who barred a student from participating in the Day of Truth. A settlement was reached where the student was allowed to participate.[6]
In 2009, ADF, who was taking alot of criticism for promoting the Day of Truth, passed control of the movement to Exodus International.
In 2008, a coalition of right-wing groups was created with the intent on urging parents to keep their children home, under the decree of "We want education, not indoctrination." The irony was lost on them.
[edit] Footnotes
- ↑ http://www.dayofsilence.org/content/getinformation_faq.html
- ↑ "http://www.dayoftruth.org/about/default.aspx
- ↑ http://www.eagleforum.org/educate/2006/june06/student-rights.html
- ↑ http://americansfortruth.com/news/chase-harper-who-inspired-day-of-truth-you-must-speak-the-truth-about-homosexuality.html
- ↑ http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/04/enrollment_up_for_students_pla.php
- ↑ http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/news/story.aspx?cid=3838
