1. The Day of Silence: Friday, April 17, 2015 Seminar Presentation: April 15, 2015

2. Background Commercials Larry King PSA Larry says April 25 th (that was old) - this year’s Day of Silence is Friday, April 17 th Day of Silence The Day of Silence is not about whether or not you agree with the lifestyle choices of gay & lesbian people; it’s to support their right to be safe & free from harassment like everyone else.

3. Statistics A 1997 study of high school students in Iowa showed that students heard anti-GLBTQ slurs an average of 25 times per day. The 2001 GLSEN National School Climate Survey found that 65% of GLBTQ students reported being sexually harassed, four in ten reported physical harassment and 21 percent reported physical assault” 29.1% of LGBT students missed a class at least once and 30.0% missed at least one day of school in the past month because of safety concerns

4. Statistics Suicide is the leading cause of death among gay and lesbian youth. Gay and lesbian youth are 2 to 6 times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual youth. Over 30% of all reported teen suicides each year are committed by gay and lesbian youth. 50% of all gay and lesbian youth report that their parents reject them due to their sexual orientation.

5. Statistics Teenage students (gay AND straight) say the worst harassment in school is being called ‘gay’. In a national survey, youth (gay AND straight) described being called “lesbian” or “gay” as the most deeply upsetting form of sexual harassment they experienced. Gay students hear anti-gay slurs as often as 26 times each day; faculty intervention occurs in only about 3% of those cases.

6. Statistics Teenage students (gay AND straight) say the worst harassment in school is being called ‘gay’. In a national survey, youth (gay AND straight) described being called “lesbian” or “gay” as the most deeply upsetting form of sexual harassment they experienced. Gay students hear anti-gay slurs as often as 26 times each day; faculty intervention occurs in only about 3% of those cases.

7. Statistics 27% of gay and lesbian youth have been physically hurt by another student. In 53 schools in Washington State, 77 incidents of anti-gay harassment and violence have been reported in the past 3 years, with 34 of these incidents (44%) serious enough to warrant possible criminal allegations. Gays and lesbians are at least 7 times more likely to be crime victims than heterosexual people. At least 75% of crimes against gays and lesbians are not reported to anyone.

8. The Day of Silence is a response to these statistics.

9. What is the Day of Silence? Founded in 1996, the Day of Silence has become the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

10. Why? To bring attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment as well as effective responses. Make schools safer for all students, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.

11. It’s important to note that… The day is a positive educational experience. The Day of Silence is an opportunity for students to work toward improving school climate for all students.

12. Some Talking Points: 1.Which of the aforementioned statistic do you find most striking? Why? 2.Do you think that educating people about the effects of harassment on LGBT people is enough, or do you think more should be done? 3.How many of you wouldn’t use derogatory words towards LGBT if you knew how much it affected them? 4.Why do you feel that people need to be derogatory towards another group of people? What you think people get out of it? 5.The Day of Silence is meant to be a positive experience for everyone. How do we ensure that this happens?