On April 22, the 2022 the Day of Silence took place all over America with many students. Day of Silence is an annual event initially started in 1996 by a group of students at the University of Virginia. It’s said to have been created for a class project on nonviolent protests, and over 150 students participated that first year. Over the years, more and more people participated in the Day of Silence. Next following year, in 1997, the organizers of the 1996 protest, went through the effort of spreading it out to other schools which ended up reaching nearly 100 campuses and colleges. The GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) became the official sponsor with new funding, staff, and volunteers.  

On the Day of Silence, students take a day-long vow to symbolically represent the silencing of LGBT students.  A way to participate is by having to register yourself in an online form and filling out all the information needed.  You can either participate in an online meeting or by participating in person.  Some resources help prepare for the day, for example, students meet with the people they will be participating with and register themselves to participate.  Students can also hang up posters to spread awareness. 

Our school took part in this national event by putting up posters, more specifically posters of LGBTQIA+ artists and celebrities. There were also posters hung up of organizations and helplines for students.  Each day, there was a different flag put up (Pride, Lesbian, Transgender, Bisexual).  There were also quotes put up on the morning announcements by allies of LGBTQIA+.

Teachers also gave their thoughts on students hanging up posters on doors around the school. Mr. Magana said, “I think the posters create an awareness of an ever-expanding population on campus. I continue to learn from the acronym and believe others will as well.” Another teacher gives their response, “If it helps some students feel more comfortable or accepted then I am all for it. I was happy to have the posters on my door.” said Mr. Burgess. Mr. Johnson also shares his thoughts on this day. He says “I think the day of silence provided an opportunity for student awareness of past victims of hate crimes as well as community awareness… it was an opportunity to create more awareness amongst the faculty and the student body at South.”