As April approaches, so does the Day of Silence 2017. The Day of Silence is a day specifically to help the LGBTQ+ community and raise awareness for the discrimination the LGBT community receives. This is a huge day nationwide, because every year, thousands of schools are remaining silent.

Students will remain silent to squash the harrassment and bullying of the LGBT community. To simulate the effects of this harassment, students choose to remain completely silent for the entire day. This is a program run by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) which is an organization created to stop LGBT discrimination. They are activists who encourage schools and students to stand up to bullying and start GSA (Gay Straight Alliances). They believe it is important for students to learn about these issues and address them with a safe community like a GSA.

This is a completely student-run day started by GLSEN to silence anti- LGBTQ+ name-calling and bullying. GLSEN helps schools nationwide by encouraging them to participate. They help give the support and help for schools. For example, a card that students hold to show that they are participating and will not talk to you during the day.

WA’s GSA is planning to hold another Day of Silence routine by accepting donations and giving out cards for people to hold that tell people that they are participating in the Day of Silence. Wednesday morning’s GSA meeting will be giving out the cards to people who sign up.

This year, GSA is using Google Forms for sign ups. If you aren’t sure if you would like to sign up, then you can still sign up to save your spot.

The Day of Silence on the national level is on April 21st, but it was moved up to Wednesday, March 28th at WA. GSA decided that this day was best because everyone can participate while seniors are still around.

For more information, visit: https://www.glsen.org/day-of-silence