Yuba College students joined students at colleges nation-wide in support of the Lesbien Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community, in schools and their exclusion from school curriculum.
The Day of Silence was established in 1996 by the University of Virginia, where 150 students participated in its first day observance. In 1997, this number increased to 100 colleges and universities participating.
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network website says, “The Day of Silence has become the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.”
The GLSEN website also says that over 4,000 colleges and universities across the United States participate in the movement today.
Students who participate hand out flyers saying, “Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence, a national youth movement protesting the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and their allies. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by harassment, prejudice and discrimination. I believe that ending the silence is the first step towards fighting these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today. What are you going to do to end the silence?”
Students who participated in the Day of Silence say that they do it in support of the LGBT community who do get discriminated and silenced at school, because of their sexuality.
“I decided to participate in the day of silence because most of my friends who are bisexual or gay are discriminated against at college, and if we stand up together, people will recognize the problem,” Yuba College student, Talia Helde said.
The next day of Silence will be held on April 17, 2010.
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