First observed in 1996 by students in West Virginia, the GLSEN Day of Silence, which is taking place today, has since grown to be an international event, with participants in over 70 countries.
About Day of Silence 2023
As LGBTQIA+ students and educators across the US face attacks on their rights to access affirming books, healthcare, and even the right to be called by the right name and pronouns at school, Day of Silence is being used as a collective protest to demonstrate the power of our voices and the impact of our silence.
This years theme, Rising Up, encourages adults to spend the day speaking up in every space online and offline in defence of the rights of LGBTQIA+ students, who will be participating in the silent protest as a way to demonstrate how thousands of LGBTQIA+ students across the world feel everyday — silenced.
The current impact on LGBTQIA+ Youth
Policies currently being passed in the US are actively seeking to silence the voices of LGBTQIA+ youth, resulting in an increase of both mental and physical disorders.
And while there are obvious issues with the policies being passed that directly affect LGBTQIA+ youth, the policies that primarily affect LGBTQIA+ adults will also significantly impact the youth in the community.
Let's look at things from the perspective of the LGBTQIA+ youth community for a moment...
Imagine knowing that, even after you've made it through life as an LGBTQIA+ minor, after you've been misgendered, deadnamed, and bullied for years at school, after you've been denied any access to resources and people that could help you to make sense of the completely natural feelings you're experiencing, that as an adult you STILL won't be able to update your birth certificate to represent who you really are, you STILL won't be able to access any mental or physical health care or affirming procedures, you STILL won't be able to use the restroom that represent your gender.
Scary, right?
Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth
With LGBTQIA+ students being so actively targeted, it is more critical than ever for us as adults to loudly claim a day of NO silence and 'Rise Up' for those being affected.
I encourage everyone to show your support to those who need it now more than ever. You can do this by:
Sharing information about LGBTQIA+ issues
There are a huge number of resources available online about both the Day of Silence and LGBTQIA+ issues in general. Take some time today to familiarise yourself with them, and share them with as many people as you can. A few great places to start include:
Stonewall, GLSEN, Global Human Rights, LGBT Foundation, Mind, Student Minds, Mind Out, stem4, The Be You Project, The Trevor Project, Just Like Us, CILIP.
Encouraging others to take a stand against discrimination
Discrimination happens around us all the time. Often it is in the form of jokes, stereotypes or insensitive comments and questions from our friends, family members or colleagues. If you witness anyone saying LGBTQIA+ discriminatory things, you should talk to them, if you feel safe to do so. Approach them privately first – in person or via direct message. Avoiding public embarrassment is likely to make them more receptive to what you have to say.
Point out to them that what they are saying is discriminatory and remind them that everyone has the right to dignity as in many countries it is against the law to discriminate against a person because of their gender or sexual orientation.
Encourage them to learn more about the historical context of LGBTQIA+ prejudice and discrimination, and share resources that you have found helpful - like the ones listed above!
Advocating for safer and more inclusive schools and communities
There are many ways that you can advocate for safe and inclusive schools, including the request to include:
Language within bullying and harassment policies about inclusive and culturally responsive pedagogy that includes sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, etc.
Diverse curriculum materials, including textbooks, literature, media, images, role models and historical periods and figures. This helps students both see themselves in the curriculum and learn about others.
The ongoing topic of identity and bias in terms of interpersonal relationships, current events, school incidents and the history of people’s struggles around the world for equity and justice.
Visible signs of a safe, respectful and inclusive school space for students, parents, and staff. From the images in the hallways to the common language that is used by school staff (from the principal to the school resource officer), be public and purposeful about sharing these values with your community.
Familiarise yourself with the policies that are being passed
The following policies that have been passed in multiple states across the US:
The refusal of gender-affirming care for trans minors, including mental health care
The refusal of gender-affirming care for trans adults, including mental health care
The banning of all drag in public spaces, which, given the vague nature of the policy, could be misinterpreted to mean that presenting as trans in public is illegal
The removal of a trans person's right to use the correct restroom while a minor is present
The introduction of teachers and classmates legal right to misgender and deadname trans students, which was followed up with further protections in the "Right to Bully" Bill
The banning of insurance for trans adults
The right to detransition trans youth regardless of their own decision
The banning of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity) training
The introduction of medical practitioners legal right to refuse all members of the LGBTQIA+ community treatment, including mental health care
The right for homeless shelters to discriminate against trans people and deny them entry
The banning of birth certificate updates for trans people
The right to prosecute doctors and other healthcare workers should they decide to proceed with any gender-affirming treatment, including mental health care
The banning of trans people from sports
Once you've familiarised yourself with these policies, it's time to take action and fight back against them.
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