April 20, 2012 marks the annual Day of Silence in order to generate awareness for LGBTQ bullying and discrimination. Supporters take a 24 hour vow of silence in order to represent the silenced voices of LGBTQ people around the world. Try going a day without talking for a great cause!
I am participating, which will make Spanish III interesting.
Not a fan of DoS. And I am speaking as someone who is pansexual and trans*. (yeah, no. My current relationship has NO bearing on my sexual ID. k? I wasnt a lesbian when I dated my ex girlfriend, I am not straight because I am with Marcus.)
Here’s why I dont dig it: The allies who participate, they have a choice. They are CHOOSING not to speak. I was NOT ABLE to speak about my transness at my job. I COULDNT tell people “Actually, I am genderqueer, and although I date a guy now, I am attracted romantically and sexually to all genders.” I COULDNT tell people at work that my preferred name is Gryffin, not Kate, that my preferred pronouns are ze/hir, not she/her. I COULDNT. You can. The day after DoS you get to talk again. I could have put my job in danger.
My friends lives could be put in danger if they say “I am trans*” and as the case of CeCe has taught us, if one of them were to kill someone in self defense, they could wind up faces murder charges.
Your ONE DAY of silence actually does me and my friends no good. It doesnt. It’s a nice gesture. But an empty one. What the hell do we gain when allies DONT talk? What does your silence actually accomplish other than get you out of school participation for one day? It’s not even “slacktivism”. It’s an empty gesture some allies thought up so that we would pat them on the back, give them cookies and praise them for their support.
Do you really think your Day of Silence keeps names from being added on the Day of Remembrance?
you know what saves lives? Talk. Lots of informed discourse on the topics of violence against people from the QUILTBAG community. Lots of talk about why legislation needs passed that protects them from violence; ideas for helping out the 1 in 4 youth who are kicked out of their homes when they come out and wind up living on the streets; actions for the people who are attacked for their IDs; sticking up for the kid that is called “dyke” “faggot” or “tranny” at school, befriend them.
Dont sit there with your mouth shut in a “symbolic gesture”. DO SOMETHING REAL.
^ THIS COMMENT
This is why I HATE DoS. The only people who ever participate at BSU are the ones who already know what it’s like to be silent. It does them no good, and no one else notices that a few people on campus aren’t talking.
I propose we change it to Day of Dialogue, Education, and Occasional Screaming. Why are we promoting an event that makes people not talk about something that already doesn’t get talked about?
“I propose we change it to day of dialogue, education, and occasional screaming.” THIS.
^^YES.
