By Kristin Sommers (April 12, 2003)

Twenty five students stayed totally silent Wednesday to show their support for gays and lesbians during the second annual "Day of Silence" here at George Mason. The "Day of Silence" was organized by the Gay/Straight Alliance and was held to show how people who are gay, bisexual and transgendered are silenced and harassed by fellow students in their schools. Every participating student wore shirts that said "Please understand my reasons for not speaking today…my deliberate silence echoes that silence which is caused by harassment…and discrimination."

Students at the University of Virginia started the "Day of Silence" in 1996; in 1997 100 colleges and universities participated. Today it is the largest student-led action dedicated to creating safer schools with about 150,000 students participating. The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) says that the day was created because four out of five gay students say they have been harassed, either verbally, physically or sexually, at school and 30% of gay students say that they have missed school at least one day within the past month out of fear for their personal safety.
 

Students at GM said they participated in the "Day of Silence" for various reasons, Senior Megan Wilhem said that she participated because she’s "tired of all the hatred I hear in the hallway…I also want people to know that people [who are harassed] are supported and should be by others." Fellow senior Jenny Davis, GSA President, says that she participated in the "Day of Silence" because "gay students being harassed needs to be addressed and this is a good way to address it."

Wearing their brightly colored official t-shirts, members  of the Gay.Straight Alliance remained totally silent  all day Wednesday to call attention to the silence often  imposed on gay, lesbian and bisexual youth by intolerance.  (Photo by Kristin Sommers)

Senior Katie Aylor feels that the "Day of Silence" does make a difference because "it gets a lot of people to stop and think, even if they joke about it they’ve still noticed." Sophomore Casey Smirniotopoulos agreed that "once they find out the reason for the silence, our peers become more aware of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender oppression in our society today."

"I participated in the DOS to support my friends," said senior Emily Fellows. Fellow senior Michael Miller said he took part in the day to "help people realize how important the issue is." Senior Stephanie Johnston added, "It’s our way of supporting all those who didn’t get to express themselves."

The day of silence is one part of a bigger endeavor to create safe schools for all students.