Youth Pride prepares for ’National Day of Silence’
Providence-based Youth Pride, Inc. (YPI) will be holding a "Break the Silence" dance on Friday, April 25, an event held at the conclusion of the "National Day of Silence." DJ Lady Fingers and DJ Cake Mix Gigglebox will appear.
"The Day of Silence," a project of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network) in collaboration with the United States Students Association (USSA), is a student-led day of action designed to spread the message that anti-GLBT bullying and harassment is unacceptable in schools.
In past years, more than 500,000 students at nearly 4,000 K-12 schools, colleges and universities organized "Day of Silence" events.
The event has drawn significant attention to LGBT issues in schools over the years. Anti-gay attitudes and actions are commonplace in our nation's schools. GLSEN's 2005 National School Climate Survey found that four out of five GLBT students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment at school and more than 30 percent report missing at least a day of school in the past month out of fear for their personal safety.
YPI assists young people throughout the state in the planning for the "National Day of Silence" by hosting a planning event, "One State, One Silence," which was held on Friday, Feb. 29 . Thirty-five schools and colleges in the state have Gay-Straight alliances or similar programs designed to combat homophobia. YPI is also selling "Day of Silence" T-shirts to spread awareness.
Please contact YPI for more information at www.youthprideri.org or call 401-421-5626