Day Of Silence: Advocates And Students Speak Out For LGBTQ Rights

After nearly three decades of holding annual silent protests to raise awareness for LGBTQ rights, students across the nation are speaking out Friday spurred by the recent spate of laws aimed at limiting the rights and visibility of LGBTQ Americans.

This year, for the first time, the “Day of Silence” – a yearly event where students take a vow of silence to symbolise the impact of homophobia and the LGBTQ voices that are marginalised by bullying – will morph into a day of action called the “Day of (NO) Silence.”

Students Speak Out For LGBTQ Rights

GLSEN, an LGBTQ education and advocacy organisation that works to end intolerance and homophobia in schools, helps organise the student-led demonstrations each year. Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, executive director of the organisation, said from now on the event will encourage students to use their voice to speak out against bigotry and homophobia.

“The imperative to take action has never been greater,” Willingham-Jaggers said. “Instead of observing silence, we are embracing a proactive stance with the Day of (NO) Silence by rising up and taking action.”

Students are encouraged to share their own stories, register to vote and write their representatives to demand changes to Title IX that would further protect LGBTQ youth. GLSEN said students who feel unsafe or uncomfortable speaking out also have the option to silently protest.

In 2023,at least 510 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in state legislatures, according to data from the American Civil Liberties Union. The organisation is currently tracking more than480 bills that restrict LGBTQ rights in the 2024 legislative session.

In 2022, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the “Parental Rights in Education” bill, which has since been dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law because it prohibited classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in all grades.

Originally, the law only prohibited classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity for students in kindergarten through third grade, but in 2023 the Florida Department of Education approved a proposed rule that would expand that prohibition to all grade levels.

Last month, a legal settlement clarified the scope of law and said students and teachers can discuss sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms, as long as it is not part of formal instruction.

Cameron Driggers, a 19-year-old gay freshman at the University of Florida, said he feels compelled to speak out because of the “Don’t Say Gay” law, not only for himself but others.

Driggers said the anti-LGBTQ laws are “like having a target on your back and knowing that you are the ‘other.’” I just don’t accept that,” he said. “It certainly doesn’t feel safe or comfortable living in a state that constantly targets my people, like me and my community.”

But, he added, the Day of (NO) Silence helps him to feel hopeful. I’m able to see a future that is much more, that’s progressive and actually works for all Floridians, Driggers said. Driggers said he plans to join other activists in Orlando Friday to discuss how they can mobilise for LGBTQ rights.

“I continue to organise and empower young people to find hope in themselves so that they know that what they’re fighting for is possible and achievable,” he said.

Kai, a 13-year-old transgender middle school student in neighbouring South Carolina, told CNN they have faced bullying for over a year and it’s taken a toll on their mental health – so much so that they transferred schools.

Kai said they were unaware of the Day of Silence campaign and that if their school held an event,it would give LGBTQ students some much-needed support.

“The fact that our school has never made [us] aware, for queer rights … It breaks my heart,” Kai said. Kai’s mother, Amanda, said she’s also worried about her child’s safety and asked CNN not to use their last name. The family has even considered moving from the state out of fear. “Everybody right now in the United States is very afraid to send their children to school because of school shootings and things of that nature,” Amanda said.

“When you have an openly queer child, you add to that fear. Think about poor Nex [Benedict] … I’m so terrified that I’m gonna be that next parent that gets that phone call.”

Nex Benedict, a nonbinary high school 10th grader in Oklahoma, died the day after they told their family they were involved in a fight at school. Willingham-Jaggers said she’s heard from many educators and students who are embracing the pivot away from silence to action during this year’s protest.

LGBTQ+ students have been silenced for too long,” Willingham-Jaggers said. “We’ve seen tens of thousands of students participate and we’re expecting this year to be our biggest year in recent history.