What started as a class assignment at the University of Virginia in 1996 has grown into the largest student led event in the LGBT community. Today, more than half a million students at 5,000 schools across America will take part in the Day of Silence, calling attention to the hate and harassment LGBT students are subjected to nationwide.
The day will also be one of remembrance at some schools—in Oxnard, CA, students will be morning the death of 15-year-old
Lawrence King, who was shot by 14-year-old
Brandon McInerney for being gay.
King had allegedly asked McInerney to be his Valentine.
In other schools, students participating in the day of silence will be met with protest. At Mount Si High School in Seattle, WA, a former student and gay rights activist returned to the school to hold a news conference, a local anti-gay rights pastor marching in the background, according to the
Seattle Times.
In an interview with a local news station, Rev.
Ken Hutcherson said he is protesting because homosexuality is a sin: “God hates it”, he said.
The largest observance of the Day of Silence, according to
The Advocate, is happening in downtown Los Angeles. At the Miguel Contreras Learning Complex, 900 students—or about half of the student body—will be participating. That event was organized by the School of Justice.
Talk show host Larry King made an emotional plea for young Lawrence—who, to friends, went by Larry—on his show yesterday, saying the two shared more than a name. They shared a desire for tolerance and acceptance.
For more information on the Day of Silence, visit
www.DayofSilence.org.
