April 11th, Day of Silence

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, April 11, 2014 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. The day of silence started in 1996 when a few University of Virginia College students refused to speak as a “coming out” promotion of homosexuality. It went nationwide in 1997 and soon moved into grade school. Since then, a homosexual legal firm has informed students that they may wear pro homosexual buttons or T-shirts in school, they may post pro homosexual signs and exhibits in school and they may refuse to speak in school.

This year’s day of silence is today, April 11th. But it’s not new to Georgia. In 2001 The Sticks and Stones Project became a gag order in schools to stop negative comments about homosexuality. In Georgia by 2002, 15 high schools and 5 colleges participated in the day of silence. By 2007, 37 high schools had gay-straight alliance clubs main-streaming homosexuality and the legislature refused to pass bills requiring parental permission for students to join any school club or extracurricular activity.

GLSEN and LGBT activists use anti-bullying policies to promote their agenda and implement courses, such as “No Name-Calling Week,” in elementary schools K – 12. On National Coming-Out Day in October 2012 teachers were asked to sign a SAFE pledge to validate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) lifestyles.Also in 2012, the Georgia Safe Schools Coalition, a major alternate lifestyles supporter, had an online manual for school counselors – LGBTQQ Youth 101 – that was funded in 2009 by the University of Georgia Vice President’s Public Service and Outreach Office. That course fosters safe and affirming schools for LGBTQQ youth and families, with no concern for the constitutional freedom of speech lost by students who disagree with alternate lifestyles. Incidentally, “QQ” means “questioning” and “queer,” both terms provided by LGBTQQ adherents.

The day of silence is advertised on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace with online registration for students and teachers. After the day of silence, students are asked to report the number of day of silence participants at their school and estimate the percentage of participants who are straight students or teachers or administrators.

Since the day of silence is today, remind administrators at local schools that Georgia’s “moment of silence” law restricts silent observances to one minute at the beginning of each school day. Then, ask how students or teachers will be handled if they refuse to speak during class. Also, ask whether straight students will be penalized for opting out and staying home for the day. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.