Thousands of students across the USA plan to observe a "Day
of Silence" Wednesday to show support for students who remain
silent about their sexual orientation out of fear of rejection
or attack.
Many will hand out cards explaining their support for gay
rights, says the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network,
organizer of the annual event, which began in 1996. This year,
students at 1,430 high schools and 346 colleges registered to
participate, up from about 200 schools in 2001.
A recent study by the group says that 83% of gay students
report being verbally harassed, while 41% report physical harassment
and 21% report physical assault. Researchers estimate that 5%
to 6% of public school students are gay, lesbian or bisexual.
Gay students "face hateful comments and violence every day,
so they keep quiet," says Michael Parrish, an 18-year-old senior
at Hellgate High School in Missoula, Mont., who is straight
and whose father is gay. "By having us turn that silence around,
we can show them there are people who want to make their school
a better place for them."
Many of the students will stay silent without official permission.
Some principals say they are concerned that students are being
encouraged not to participate during class.
Some conservative political groups are planning a loosely
organized response in which students opposed to gay rights are
urged to hand out leaflets and voice their views. "If the homosexualists
are silent, that could give us a golden opportunity to speak
the truth about homosexuality and have it be heard," said Peter
Sprigg, spokesman for the Washington, D.C.-based Family Research
Council. "If you look more closely, there really is a promotion
of homosexual behavior and identity. If they continue to have
this on a regular basis, (our response) will grow."
Responds 17-year-old gay junior Rich Margolius of Syosset
High School on Long Island, N.Y.: "If people are so ignorant,
then that just gives me more incentive to push the boundaries
that are forced upon me."
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