April 17 is GLSEN's national Day of Silence. Started in 1996, GLSEN's Day of Silence is a student-led day of action toward creating safer schools for everybody, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. On this day, students take a vow of silence to highlight the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment that happens too often in schools. This is a day that can expose communities as important as schools and campuses to the ways LGBT people are silenced as a result of unfair treatment, name calling, and harassment. This day serves as a positive educational experience for all who are exposed to it, as it can promote discussion and raise consciousness. By getting an entire community of people to participate in an event like GLSEN's Day of Silence, you can help bring attention to this problem, get schools to work toward fixing the problem, and let other students who are bullied that they do not need to stand alone.
In addition to taking this vow of silence, there are plenty ways to get involved and show support for the LGBT community. You can encourage others to participate along with you, posting on Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #DayofSilence. Tell others why it is important to participate and get the conversation started. You can also head over to the event's official website and download their "Selfie for Silence" print out. Post a picture with the sign and tell everyone what silence means to you and for the LGBT community. GLSEN's Day of Silence is a way for us to show the LGBT community we've #GotYourBack. Check out the official Day of Silence Twitter page to follow updates about this event. And to sign the GLAAD pledge and let LGBT people know you are an ally, visit glaad.org/gotyourback.