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Mainpage » QA Forums » Queer Thinking » Topic: Day of Silence.

Topic: Day of Silence.

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Liam

:: LadyKevin
:: QA5 Having the neighbours round

What I did:
-Wore duct-tape to school
-Made a little sign saying "I am silent as a protest to the silencing effects of anti-LGBT bullying"
-Made other little signs that explain what LGBT stands for, what the sexualities are, etc., to show people that didn't know.
-Got at least ten other people (a few of them I thought were just complete douche-bags) to wear the tape/stay silent, including this one guy that never shuts up and has said things in the past like "Max, you look gay!" "Is that a BAD thing, Jody?" "Yes, if you're a guy."
So I'm quite proud of myself.

what have you guys accomplished on DoS?

Lets dance to Joy Division.

Post: #641322

, Fri 20 Apr 12, 2:21PM

Weeird

:: weeirdwith2es
:: QA8 High Householder

When was it?
Personally, I'm against day of silence.
Let me ask you this: when has being silent done anything good?
What if Martin Luther King was silent?
What if Ghandi was silent?
Being silent does nothing.
Instead, you should speak out about the issues at hand.

Post: #641324

, Fri 20 Apr 12, 2:37PM

Liam

:: LadyKevin
:: QA5 Having the neighbours round

Its today.
I understand your point, but the DoS is to bring attention to the issue that LGBT teens are pushed down and many times live in fear, and stay SILENT. I think that this is actually doing something in my class, because many people are not talking.
Silence is just as loud as shouting.

Lets dance to Joy Division.

Post: #641325

, Fri 20 Apr 12, 2:46PM

benjn

:: benjn
:: QA9 Grand Elder

I kind of agree with Weeird (I'm guessing that's not your real name XD) on this one. I understand the logic behind the day of silence, and I know that sometimes it is very effective, but wouldn't it be more productive just to have a conversation about gay rights, or do a presentation on them if you want to publicise them more? I didn't take part, but I did teach somebody that the word faggot is, to some gay people, the most offensive word to be called (because he asked me- not because he used the word) and I couldn't have done that if I was staying silent for a day.
Basically, I think that actually informing people about homophobia and gay rights is better than just being silent as a protest.

But congratulations on completing the DoS anyway.

And the signs etc. sound like a good idea.

"Be what you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Dr Seuss

Post: #641330

, Fri 20 Apr 12, 3:09PM

Whisper

:: randomdancer84
:: QA5 Having the neighbours round

For me, I talk a lot. I am participating at this moment and have not spoken a word except forgetting and thanking someone for opening a door for me, and talking to teachers. That's it, though. And I think, because I talk so much, and because I'm one of those people that never shuts up, it will make a bigger impact because I never ever stay quiet for more than 1 minute and a half. Tops. And I'm making sticky notes with explanations at this time. Can't wait to get out of my college class and go to school (is at college right now and will go back to high school in an hour and a half. I think silence is bigger when there's more to miss, when you talk more like I do every day, not just stay silent every day.

Post: #641333

, Fri 20 Apr 12, 3:17PM

Liam

:: LadyKevin
:: QA5 Having the neighbours round

But you see, the teachers would not have let me give a presentation on it, people wouldn't have asked me about that kind of thing, etc. But because I had the tape on my mouth I had a chance to educate all the people that asked about it, and hopefully change some of the people that act homophobic. None of the teachers made me talk, and they asked why I was wearing it. It went off without a hitch, and I'm proud of that.

Lets dance to Joy Division.

Post: #641389

, Fri 20 Apr 12, 8:02PM

Ryan

:: Embraceurself
:: QA9 Grand Elder

I completely forgot until I was already at school

It was a long week for me (State tests were this week).
I saw one or two people participating in DoS today at school though, which made me happy. I think that, in some cases, DoS is more effective than giving speeches about LGBT+ rights etc. My school has had a few speeches about LGBT+ rights and I saw a lot of people just sitting there snickering and some of them were saying things like "Is this a joke? The fags should just get over it." But on DoS it seems to sink in more.

You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you're all the same.
"Rub that glitter and grease around"
~Lady Gaga
"I'm fierce and I'm feeling mighty. I'm a golden girl, I'm an aphrodite, alright!"
~Kylie Minogue

Post: #641395

, Fri 20 Apr 12, 8:25PM

Britany

:: Nicole_Love
:: QA10 Community Goddess

Not only did I participate AND get my 3 best friends to do it, I got my drama teacher to let us play games where we can't talk.

It was AWESOME. And I had to explain (in writing, if course) to 45 people.

The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry. -Ernest Hemingway

Post: #641465

, Sat 21 Apr 12, 12:35AM

Sarah

:: 1DecemberNight
:: QA4 A spot of tea please, Alfred!

When I went to dinner (I was still wearing my duct tape), I was flagged down by a few guys who looked like, well, trouble. One of them asked me while laughing, "Can you not speak?" and I handed him my sheet explaining DOS and Kenneth's story and stood there while he read it. I was terrified and almost shaking, expecting to be harassed in the middle of the dining center in front of a ton of people, but as it turns out, the guy read all three pages, handed them back to me and said "Props to you, that's really cool you're doing that. Good luck to you."

Basically I was floored. In an incredibly good way.

I've never had much faith in people, but today made me really rethink that.

Post: #641474

, Sat 21 Apr 12, 1:00AM

Hannah

:: PDQ2
:: QA7 Taking responsibility

Well I didn't do the duck tape but I got a face mask thingy an wrote No H8 on it. Since I'm homeschooled my big deal for the day of silence was going out to the store and wearing my mask. I'm pretty proud of myself.

Sometimes when I see LGBT I just can't help but to think BLT. My mom and I call it the BLT club. :P

Post: #641476

, Sat 21 Apr 12, 1:07AM

Lucas

:: CrazyDramaKid
:: QA9 Grand Elder

i remained silent the entire day,
and refrained from punching out the assholes

i see that as an accomplishment

Patience-Resiliance-Versatility-Spirit-Creativity-Cleverness-
Faith-Love-Perserverance-Hope

So,If you care to find me; look to the Western sky. As someone told me lately, everyone deserves the chance to fly

don't let my supposed "confidence" fool you, I'm still just a scared little kid. that doesn't mean I won't keep fighting.

Post: #641495

, Sat 21 Apr 12, 1:56AM

Noel

:: ToriMagic
:: QA4 A spot of tea please, Alfred!

I was silent during school... And I didn't start crying at all during the day.

Post: #641505

, Sat 21 Apr 12, 2:19AM

Nick♪™

:: Twillz
:: QA10 Community God

I was silent for the whole day, except for 1 moment 5th period when I got salsa on my boob and was pissed, and then I had to talk in the dark room 9th period, since I couldn't communicate any other way in the dark...

You don't realize how much you talk during the day until you can't talk at all. It's crazy...

"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times...if one only remembers to turn on the lights" ~Albus Dumbledore

Post: #641521

, Sat 21 Apr 12, 2:48AM

:: byoda
:: QA9 Grand Elder

The GSA at my school hosted it. We got stickers and face paint and at least fifty people to participate. All of my teachers were supportive except for my algebra teacher. As soon as class started, she began mking fun of our face paint and told us our cause was stupid, and that we'd be required to talk to answer questions. She then began to call on kids doing DoS to answer questions. I refused to break my silence, instead writing it down. She sent me to Choices, which is our version of detention. I told our GSA leader, and he said this teacher does this every year. She is terribly homophobic and doesn't even try to hids it, which goes against our school policy. She really needs to get sacked.

Post: #641596

, Sat 21 Apr 12, 1:03PM

Molly

:: FlannelFantasy
:: QA5 Having the neighbours round

I really enjoyed doing Day of Silence for not only its' affect on straight, ignorant people at my school, but how it made me feel personally. Like, I dunno about everyone else, but as I spent my day in silence I kind of thought to myself like "This is what life is like for the less fortunate LGBT. There are still people out there who are afraid to even speak because of their bullying, they didn't just go away because your family was accepting". It was an interesting experience, and I'm glad I did it even if I didn't really make an impact on any homophobes in my school.

Post: #641597

, Sat 21 Apr 12, 1:13PM

Connor

:: pasdespoir
:: QA4 A spot of tea please, Alfred!

Because of GLSEN's warnings against duct tape, there was no tape for our people. It was still a good day, and I only talked during a Leadership meeting, and during French class, when talking is part of my grade.

I didn't have any assholes, actually. And the day of dialogue was a joke on the 19th.

REALLY FUN TIME
I'M HAVING HERE...

Only those elements time cannot wear
stand before me, and beyond time I stand.
ABANDON ALL HOPE, YE WHO ENTER HERE.

FRED KARGER FOR PRESIDENT!!!

Post: #641623

, Sat 21 Apr 12, 3:01PM

Stephanie

:: LaLaBlahSteph
:: QA7 Taking responsibility