By Taylor Peters ’15 | Staff Writer
To show support for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) people, students prepare for the Day of Silence which is to take place tomorrow.
This nationwide act of silence calls attention to the detrimental effects of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools, according to the official Day of Silence website.
Partaking in this national day, Shannon Horan ’17 said she encourages people to participate in this event if they believe that it is morally wrong to judge someone based on something they cannot change.
“I think silence is a great way to get our point across,” Horan said. “Today’s world is so full of noise. Another kid screaming in the hallways isn’t going to stand out, whereas silence will.”
Ribbons are passed out every year on Day of Silence, Counselor Beth Walsh-Sahutske said. If students support the cause but do not wish to partake in the silence part of the event, they can still wear a ribbon.
“We have had as many as 350 ribbons given out in the past,” Walsh-Sahutske said. “This year there hasn’t been as much publicity about it so we’ve only made 200 ribbons, but who knows how many people will decide to pick up a ribbon that day.”
Gay-Straight Alliance member Stephanie Zampardo ’15 said she is choosing to be silent for several reasons.
“I think one of the most harmful things is to hold something in,” Zampardo said. “I am a straight ally of LGBT, and I have found many issues that this community struggles with are very relatable. Anything that people keep silent is out of fear. It really does hurt their hearts to be forced into silence.”
Walsh-Sahutske suggests to those who plan to be silent tomorrow notify teachers in advance and use note cards as a way to communicate in classes.
“We’ve let the teachers know ahead of time that this is happening so that it won’t come as a complete surprise,” said Walsh-Sahutske. “Ultimately if being in the class requires the student to speak, then we understand the priority is that the student will have to speak.”
Zampardo not only encourages students to participate in Day of Silence, but to make an everyday effort to be sensitive to those who are different than one’s self. The main goal of Day of Silence is to spread unity, understanding, acceptance and to prevent bullying and suicides.
“To everyone who has helped us make all this possible, it’s so beautiful that they are comfortable enough to see from a different perspective. When allies and the LGBT community see that, it really brightens their mood,” said Zampardo. “People have no idea what someone could be going through, and participating in (Day of Silence) can make that struggle a lot more worth it for them.”
Participants can also show their support by wearing purple, tie-dye or rainbow, Zampardo said. Ribbons will be passed out before school as well as during both lunches.
“Since coming to high school, I’ve realized things aren’t just black and white, and that includes the people here,” said Horan. “We are a spectrum of differences, and one of my main beliefs is to not harass one person because they are a different color on that spectrum.”
