Shhhhh…

The Day of silence is held every year on April 23, to highlight the silence of youth apart of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual and/or Ally (LGBTQIA), who felt ignored by parents, school staff, and that their concerns and complaints were being neglected.

Maria Pulzetti was a student at University of Virginia, and she created this day to support the LGBTQIA community. She brings awareness to those who have not been tuned in with these issues, and surround them with the silence that the youth of the LGBTQIA were forced to notice.

Year after year this day was celebrated, and eventually the the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), one of the largest LGBTQIA education networks, adopted the day of silence as one of their official projects. Around Pride Week, the participants of this event wear tape over their mouths or draw X’s on their hands and cover their mouth to bring more attention to the movement.

Towards the end “silence” is broken with a rally or a speech event, allowing participants to end their vow simultaneously. the Day of silence continues to grow and each year more people become aware of the issues the LGBTQIA youth face.