No Blog Tomorrow

There will be no blog posting tomorrow, April 16, 2010. I tell you this so that you don’t think I’ve just once again been lax in writing and posting something.

The absence this time is intentional and designed to prove a point; it’s in observation of the 15th annual “Day of Silence” sponsored by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network).

http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/home/index.html

The event happens in middle and high schools across the country, and is intended to bring attention to the “voicelessness” of GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) youth who are frequently bullied or otherwise abused by and in our school systems. Participants usually have cards available explaining what they are doing and why, and sometimes show their support in more visible ways – tape over their mouths, T-shirts, etc.

http://www.dayofsilence.org/index.cfm

Gay youth are truly one of the underserved segments of society. Daily they are subjected to actions ranging from a variety of indignities (name calling, books being knocked from their hands, pushing) to abuses that threaten their physical well being, if not their lives.  The sad part is that these actions come not only from their fellow students, who might be forgiven the cruelties of youth, but also from teachers and administrators who turn a blind eye to the activities. It can make their lives miserable and they deserve better.

It’s easy to feel alone as an adolescent. As a gay youth, it’s sometimes even lonelier, especially if you’re in a small rural environment with no social network or other services available. Events showing support for their plight – and sometimes making other students think about what’s right and wrong and then show their support, even if they aren’t gay – help promote understanding.

As might be anticipated, the event isn’t without controversy. The religious right attempts to make much of the event that it isn’t, threatening to remove their children from schools in protest and to otherwise express their disapproval. 
Such is their right. 

But you have to wonder how organizations that purport to express love and compassion and a betterment of society reconcile that with the attempts to allow the bullying and intimidation to continue. Indeed, it’s often interesting that some of the vilest and most abusive participants in the bullying are those who are those most frequently in church.

I support the program strongly. If it makes school a bit less miserable for just one child, it’s worth it.

More information is available at the following sites:

http://www.edgenewengland.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=104564

http://www.aclu.org/blog/lgbt-rights/four-things-you-should-know-about-student-rights-and-day-silence