Today is the Day of Silence, when many students from middle school to college choose not to speak, in order to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBTQ bullying and harassment. Let’s take a moment to honor those taking a stand today—and on so many other days as well.
Choosing to speak out, even through silence, can be daunting. GLSEN advises that school students get support from the school administration before participating. Even with an administrative blessing, however, making oneself visible in support of a sometimes (unfortunately) controversial issue like LGBTQ acceptance can be frightening. I have the greatest respect for all of the students, especially in the younger grades, who are participating in the Day of Silence regardless.
The latest National School Climate Survey from GLSEN found that among , eight in 10 LGBTQ students experienced verbal harassment based on a personal characteristic, and nearly two thirds experienced LGBTQ-related discrimination at school. Additionally, nearly a third missed at least one day of school in the month before the survey, and over a third avoided bathrooms and locker rooms, because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable. This hostile climate can affect students’ academic success and mental health. At the same time, “LGBTQ students in schools with a GSA or a comprehensive anti-bullying policy experienced lower levels of anti-LGBTQ victimization.”
Things may be slowly getting better. The survey found a lower incidence of harassment and assault related to sexual orientation and gender identity versus all prior years, and a decrease in reports of homophobic remarks. Note, though, that the survey was done in 2015. With the leader of our country engaged in name-calling on a weekly, if not daily, basis, and some noting a carryover of this attitude into schools, it feels even more important for us not to let up in our anti-bullying efforts.
There’s no one solution. GLSEN offers some ideas, as do Teaching Tolerance, Welcoming Schools, and PFLAG, among others. Ultimately, it’s going to take a combined effort of teachers, administrators, coaches, parents, and other caregivers, but it’s also going to take the students themselves, working towards a safe and welcoming climate in their schools—and in the world in which they are growing up. The Day of Silence gives me hope.