Each April, in a show of solidarity for their Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) friends and family members, tens of thousands of students across the country refrain from speaking for either part of or the entire day. The Day of Silence is meant to protest the bullying and harassment directed towards many queer-identified individuals and their supporters (or allies) specifically in schools, but also in society as a whole. This is an organized national movement, which took place at more than 8,000 different institutions (high schools, colleges and universities) and engaged more than 100,000 students in 2008. This year will mark the 14th annual Day of Silence, which was originally held at the University of Virginia.

Some may think that our society has progressed beyond bullying and harassing someone because of his or her sexual orientation, yet stigmatization is engrained into many of us, without us even being aware of it. I remember quite clearly that during sixth grade recess, many of the boys would go play a seemingly harmless game called “Smear the Queer”. At the time, the name of the game meant nothing to me. I was blithely unaware of what it actually meant, its broader implications and how it served to incite and validate violence against queer individuals. The very premise of the game is to tackle, hurt or “smear” the person with the ball, the person different from everyone else, the queer. Yet, this mentality of trashing those who are different translates into perpetual violence, bullying and harassing of GLBT folks and allies.

Certain people may argue that harassment of queer and queer-friendly people is non-existent, or the extent to which it exists is blown out of proportion, or further that people are not entitled to protections from violence based on one’s sexual orientation. However, the reality of the situation is much to the contrary. There are many cases each year, in which a queer person, or someone thought to be queer is murdered because of her or his actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. In 2009 there were 29 such killings.

On February 12, 2008, 15-year- old Lawrence King was shot and killed by a 14-year old peer in California, simply for being gay and having effeminate qualities. He was shot twice from point-blank range on school property.

On April 9, 2009, an 11-year old Massachusetts boy, Carl Walker-Hoover, who did not identify as gay, went home after school and hanged himself after daily taunts of being a “fag.” His mother made weekly requests to the school to address the problem, but there was no effort made.

Furthermore, last year, two high school teachers right here in Minnesota, in the Anoka-Hennepin school district, were found to have made homophobic comments toward a young man they presumed to be gay. This type of intimidation cannot stand.

The problem of bullying and harassment clearly affects students around the country. To combat this problem, Minnesota state senators and representatives passed the bipartisan “Minnesota Safe Schools for All Bill,” which directed all school districts in the state to “by January 1, 2010 … adopt a written policy that prohibits harassment, bullying, intimidation, and violence based on, but not limited to, actual or perceived … [ race, disability, religion, etc] … sexual orientation, gender identity or expression …”

However, our Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty vetoed this bill despite concessions made to appease him. His veto leaves students across the state vulnerable to dangerous situations.

A Minnesota research brief released in 2007 using data from the National School Climate Survey found that “87% of Minnesota GLBT students experienced verbal harassment in school because of their sexual orientation, 41% experienced physical harassment and 14% experienced physical assault.”

It remains evident that there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure all students have the right to a safe learning environment. One way that you can show your support is to call your legislators and voice your support for the “Safe Schools for All Bill.” State Senator Kathy Sheran, who represents Gustavus’ district, can be reached at (651) 296-6153, and State Representative (and professor) Terry Morrow, who also represents Gustavus’ district, can be reached at (651) 296-8634.

But another, perhaps more personally meaningful and fulfilling way to stand up to the bullying, intolerance, intimidation, harassment and violence perpetrated against GLBT people is to take a vow of silence on Friday, April 16, this year’s Day of Silence.