Day of Dialogue vs. Day of Silence

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, April 13, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

The Day of Silence was founded in 1996 at the University of Virginia to promote alternate lifestyles in colleges. A year later, almost 100 colleges and universities participated and by 2008 over 8,000 middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities were registered as participants. The Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network that sponsors the event provides for registration on the Internet.

Sixteen years ago, the day of silence was observed on April 10th in 15 Georgia high schools and five colleges – Georgia Tech, Spelman, West Georgia State University, the University of Georgia and Wesleyan College. No doubt, those numbers have increased dramatically. The goal of the observance is to squelch all opposition to homosexuality, bisexuality and other lifestyles.

Calls to several Georgia schools that year revealed that some knew and approved of the observance; others said students had listed their schools; East Paulding High was on spring break; Rabun Gap Nacoochee alerted teachers that students might participate; and Villa Rica tried to remove the school name from the list, but couldn’t.Administrators and staff may not know what’s happening until participating students give them a note explaining the day of silence. GLSEN’s advisor, Lambda Legal, tells students that “while you DO have a right to participate in GLSEN’s day of silence between classes and before and after school, you may NOT have the right to stay silent during instructional time if a teacher asks you to speak.” Participants take a day-long vow of silence; some students wear masking tape over their mouth all day; and participating teachers might teach without speaking. Previously, GLSEN has asked teachers to “dike out” that day in their day of silence T-shirt and stickers, their GLSEN cap, rainbow rings or other clothes that promote LGBT lifestyles and social justice rights.

This year’s day of silence is Friday April 27th. You might ask your child’s school how the staff will respond, if the day of silence is observed there.

In 2012 Focus on the Family introduced the Day of Dialogue to counteract the day of silence and supplied downloadable Day of Dialogue tools and strategies on the Internet. Those supplies are still available, but this year, FOF is asking participants to choose the best date for their Day of Dialogue and register at DayofDialogue.com. Then, join FOF on Facebook and Twitter. ForGeorgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.