Things may seem a little quieter around Tampa Bay schools on Friday, April 15. Students will participate in the annual Day of Silence to protest the discrimination, harassment and abuse faced by LGBT students and allies. Following the day at school, the participants will gather at Sacred Grounds in Tampa to share their experiences throughout the dayâ┚¬â€Âessentially â┚¬Å”breaking their silence.â┚¬ÂÂ
The day is the project of GLSEN, and students will wear stickers and pass out cards explaining the event. Students will speak in class if teachers require them to. Just socially, the students are asked to remain silent.
The Breaking The Silence rally begins at 7 p.m. at Sacred Grounds, 4819 E Busch Blvd # 104.
According to organizers, nine out of 10 LGBT students report some kind of harassment at school and 30% report missing a day of school out of fear of their own safety. In 2010, a string of teen suicides related to anti-gay bullying sparked renewed interest in protecting LGBT students.
