Glsen.Org/Dayofsilence
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facebook.com/GLSEN @GLSEN @GLSENofficial GLSEN.tumblr.com glsen.org/dayofsilence RECLAIMING A GENERATION THE OFFICIAL “BREAKING THE SILENCE” PLAYLIST By Keress Ambrose Aprilus Frey (7, they/them) By GLSEN’s National Student Council If children are the future then Angel Haze Same - Love Remix surely Ben E King - Stand By Me We must never let them be raised Beyonce - Freedom In silence Beyonce - Run The World (Girls) Cher - Pride But if silence were fists, then surely Coldplay - Viva La Vida We must raise them Daya - Sit Still Look Pretty Unabashed like sons, daughters, Hayley Kiyoko - Sleepover children of all colors-- Hayley Kiyoko - Girls Like Girls Frank Ocean - Chanel Let silence no longer be a weapon, Katy Perry - Roar but a shield Lady Gaga - Born This Way A moment of silence to mourn Madonna - Vogue what was lost, Priory - Put ‘Em Up A day of silence to reclaim what is Rihanna - We Found Love ours. Cher - Believe Sia - The Greatest Steve Grand - We Are The Night “GLSEN’s Day of Silence is a student-led national event organized in thousands TLC - No Scrubs TLC - Waterfalls of schools, bringing awareness to the silencing effects of anti-LGBTQ name- Troye Sivan - Youth calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Students from middle school to The Replacements - Androgynous college take a vow of silence in an effort to encourage schools and classmates Rupaul - Champion to address the problem of anti-LGBTQ behavior by illustrating the silencing Years & Year - Desire effect of bullying and harassment on LGBTQ students and those perceived to be Frank Ocean - Pink + White LGBTQ.” -GLSEN This Zine has been compiled by GLSEN’s 2016-2017 National Student Council to provide a resource for teachers, students and GSA’s all across the nation. “I want to recommend that we use the phrase “Silence Is Ours” as the primary slogan of Day of Silence, with the overall theme emphasizing the reclaiming of silence as a tool for advocacy, rather than a means of oppression.” -Gabby Rivera, GLSEN Youth Programs Manager. 1 6 A PERSONAL ESSAY ON SILENCE A PERSONAL ESSAY ON SILENCE By Rebekah R. 18, she/her Silence is arguably the most powerful tool that people can wield. to learn grows. Empathy is the ability to understand the experiences of Like a sword, it slices through the constant, everyday chatter. others. Day of Silence allows one to listen to others and contemplate Silence offers a moment for people to reflect and ponder. In our how their perspective differs from one’s own. Additionally, Day of everyday world, consistent chatter is the norm. People are constantly Silence serves as a catalyst for learning through examining any sort of connected through social media, and we are often forced into social discomfort experienced during the day. situations where communication is expected. In this way, remaining silent serves as an act of civil disobedience. Wielding the power of After Day of Silence, one can find oneself asking where are voices that silence forces people to consider why certain voices are missing at are missing from their daily conversations. Silence can be an effective the table. It forces people outside of their norm and sometimes into tool to bridge understanding, build on empathy, and acknowledge a state of discomfort. This place of discomfort is often the most those silenced every day. Some associate silence with passivity, but if effec¬tive place for people to learn. Students should participate in one truly embraces the silence and wields it in a powerfully disruptive Day of Silence as a way to protest the systems in place that silence so way, so much more can happen when we take control and reclaim our many, to experience a day of reflection and empathy for those that are silence. silenced every day, and to lean into discomfort to discover something new about themselves and the world they live in. Many people every day are silenced, and because one can never fully under-stand what it means to that person, those that are silenced often go overlooked. LG¬BTQ students can feel silenced in classrooms and schools where there is not a GSA, policies condemning bullying and harassment, and supportive faculty and students. Additionally, many students have been silenced due to the change in the political cli¬mate. Taking time on Day of Silence to recognize those for whom silence is a reality every day is an excellent way to show solidarity. Day of Silence also serves as a day of reflection. Because we are constantly bombarded with stimuli throughout the day, silence can be a great way to reflect on what’s happening all around and even within. When one truly engages in the act of listening, the capability 3 4 10 DAY OF SILENCE TIPS AND TRICKS TRUE LIFE: DAY OF SILENCE WOKE UP MY SCHOOL By by Danny C. (18, he/him) and Madison M. (17, she/her) By Kian T. (16, they/them, he/him) 1. Don’t use duct tape to cover your mouth. Opt for a shirt or sign We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never around your neck that visibly shows your support without hurting the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” yourself! “- Elie Wiesel 2. Change your phone lock screen to the official Day of Silence statement to show to your teachers, friends, and coworkers over This quote truly embodies the importance of Day of Silence for me the course of the day why you’re being silent. You can find it at as an LGBTQ youth. It shows that we must always make our voices glsen.org/dayofsilence. heard. Anti-LGBTQ harassment and bullying leaves students feeling 3. Plan something to break the silence, whether it’s a dance, a picnic, unsafe and unable to speak up. But by participating in Day of Silence, or a little after-school meeting to make some joyous noise. you are not only making your voice heard, but also bringing attention 4. Remember you have a right to free speech, and that includes the to the voices that aren’t. right not to speak. If you feel your rights are being violated, contact Lambda Legal, and they may be able to help! More info at My freshman year of high school, I felt silenced. I was bullied and glsen.org/dayofsilence. scared, and I didn’t know what to do. No one was listening to my 5. Partner with a local GLSEN Chapter to host a Breaking the Silence voice, and eventually I stopped feeling like I had one at all. rally. Seeing people at my school participate in Day of Silence made 6. Promote Day of Silence at your school by hanging up posters, me feel less alone. It assured me that people within my school distributing flyers, setting up a table at lunch, or even making an were willing to stand up for me when I experienced anti-LGBTQ announcement over the PA system to get others involved! harassment. Without the Day of Silence, the members of my school’s 7. Sign up for GLSEN UP at glsen.org/glsenup and stay connected with Gender and Sexuality Alliance, and the numerous allies within my advocacy actions dedicated to the wellbeing of LGBTQ youth in school, I wouldn’t know I had that support. schools. 8. Make Day of Silence shirts! You can make them on your own, or Now that I am out of that situation, I will stop at nothing to make create custom ones for your school or GSA at glsen.org/dosshirts! my voice heard. I will stand up against bullying and protect those Other shirts are available for purchase at glsen.org/shop. who can’t protect themselves. I was once in that situation; I was 9. Share the Day of Silence Educator Guide with your teachers and GSA hopeless. But, here I am now. It is almost exactly a year later, and I advisors. You can find it at glsen.org/dayofsilence. am advocating on the national level to make a difference in the world. 10. Use the momentum from Day of Silence to stay involved in LGBTQ student issues. Register your school’s GSA at glsen.org to get If you are being bullied and harassed, please remember that you helpful advice all year long! are not alone. Everyone participating in Day of Silence cares about making your school safe for you. Rise together as a school and a 5 community. You will make it through it and have your voice heard. 2.