National Day of Silence

by the organizers

(This was originally published in News and Letters in advance of the event)

The second annual National Day of Silence (NDOS) will be held on April 8, 1998. In 1997, students a over 100 high schools and colleges took part in this event, which protests the silence created by homophobia. On the NDOS, participants of all sexual orientations take a vow of silence for nine hours, handing out explanato-ry cards instead of speaking to friends, classmates and professors. This organized, visible silence has proven very successful in raising awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues. After 9 silent hours, much dialogue goes on about the nature of silencing and the roots of homophobia.

This year, we want to reach more campuses than in 1997, and in order to do that, we need your help! The NDOS is not expensive to hold, the event builds community both between LGBT youth activists nationally and on the individual campuses which take part. The NDOS strengthens ties with other campus organiza-tions, garners visibility for LGBT students and their allies, and reaches nearly every individual on campus.

This is the only national event designed by and for youth to raise awareness of LGBT issues. So far about 54 high schools and colleges have sent us word that they intend to hold the NDOS at their campuses this year.

If you want more information about the National Day of Silence, please consult our web page at http://wsrv.clas.virginia.edu/~mkp6n .

This article was originally printed in News & Letters. For subscription information, contact News and Letters Committees, 59 E. Van Buren St. - Room 707, Chicago, IL 60605, USA, TEL 312 663 0839, FAX 312 663 9069, email: nandl@igc.apc.org , Website: http://www.newsandletters.org

Email Queer Notions: qnotions@graphicgirlz.com