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Log inNewspaper article, Wednesday April 15, 2009
Newspaper article, Wednesday April 15, 2009
by Richard Walsh on Thu Apr 16, 2009 7:45 pm
More than 150 people at Chillicothe High School plan to say nothing Friday in recognition of the National Day of Silence.
Friday will be the second year the school has participated in the event as a result of efforts by the Gay-Straight Alliance, a group of students who work toward creating tolerance for all and stop bullying at the school.
Last year, about 120 people at CHS joined students from more than 8,000 middle schools, high schools and colleges registered as participants in last year's Day of Silence, a student-created and student-led event which is sponsored nationally by GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.
Students typically participate by remaining silent throughout the school day unless asked to participate in class. The event is designed to illustrate the silencing effect of this bullying and harassment on LGBT students and those perceived to be LGBT.
Two of the top three reasons students said their peers were most often bullied at school were actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender expression, according to "From Teasing to Torment: School Climate in America," a 2005 report by GLSEN and Harris Interactive. The top reason was physical appearance.
To bring attention to this problem, many students will hand out speaking cards on the Day of Silence, which read:
"Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence (DOS), a national youth movement bringing attention to the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by anti-LGBT bullying, name-calling and harassment.
"I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward building awareness and making a commitment to address these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today."
At CHS, participants were asked to follow guidelines which included "being reasonable" and speaking if needed for oral presentations, job interviews or anything else that requires speaking. Guidelines also advised informing teachers ahead of time to work out an arrangement if needed.
Friday will be the second year the school has participated in the event as a result of efforts by the Gay-Straight Alliance, a group of students who work toward creating tolerance for all and stop bullying at the school.
Last year, about 120 people at CHS joined students from more than 8,000 middle schools, high schools and colleges registered as participants in last year's Day of Silence, a student-created and student-led event which is sponsored nationally by GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.
Students typically participate by remaining silent throughout the school day unless asked to participate in class. The event is designed to illustrate the silencing effect of this bullying and harassment on LGBT students and those perceived to be LGBT.
Two of the top three reasons students said their peers were most often bullied at school were actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender expression, according to "From Teasing to Torment: School Climate in America," a 2005 report by GLSEN and Harris Interactive. The top reason was physical appearance.
To bring attention to this problem, many students will hand out speaking cards on the Day of Silence, which read:
"Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence (DOS), a national youth movement bringing attention to the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by anti-LGBT bullying, name-calling and harassment.
"I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward building awareness and making a commitment to address these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today."
At CHS, participants were asked to follow guidelines which included "being reasonable" and speaking if needed for oral presentations, job interviews or anything else that requires speaking. Guidelines also advised informing teachers ahead of time to work out an arrangement if needed.
_________________
~Richard Walsh
Creating a safe enviorment where you don't have to be afraid of who you are... That enviorment will be CHS.
Richard Walsh- President
- Number of posts: 63
Age: 17
Location: Chillicothe
Registration date: 2008-03-11 
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