As a school counselor, you may be approached by students who would like to participate and need help navigating your particular school culture to determine how best to go about organizing. You may be able to help support your school's Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) as they prepare for the the event. Most importantly, you can show support to all of the students in your school as they take a day to reflect upon how members of the LGBT community often feel as if they have no voice due to anti-LGBT bullying and harassment. You can do this by:
"The Day of Silence is a student-led national event that brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Students from middle school to college take a vow of silence in an effort to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior by illustrating the silencing effect of bullying and harassment on LGBT students and those perceived to be LGBT." (source: www.dayofsilence.org)
- Advocating for all students to be able to participate within your school
- Assisting student leaders with your school's approval process for creating an event during the school day
- Helping school administration and student leaders work together to determine how the event will work best in your school community
- Serving as a sounding board and support for students and staff as they prepare for, participate in, and reflect upon the event and its meaning
- Guiding school personnel and student leaders to resources and tools for the event
For more information and resources, check out the Day of Silence website, as well as the short videos below:
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