One Week to 2004 Day of Silence: 250,000 Students to Protest Bias Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Peers

To: National Desk, Education Reporter
Contact: Michelle Sims of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, 212-727-0135, ext. 138 or msims@glsen.org
NEW YORK, April 14 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, or GLSEN, is pleased to announce that an estimated record-setting 250,000 students in over 2,600 high schools and colleges in all 50 states are expected to take part in a Day of Silence to be observed on Wednesday, April 21. Due to some school calendars, students in some cities will be observing the Day of Silence today, April 14. The Day of Silence is a national student-led effort in which participants take a vow of silence to peacefully protest the discrimination and harassment faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth in schools.
"It is with overwhelming pride and excitement that GLSEN once again prepares to coordinate the Day of Silence," said GLSEN Executive Director Kevin Jennings. "All of us at GLSEN are moved and inspired by the record-setting number of students who will be silently, yet powerfully, standing up for themselves, their peers and the ideals of safe and effective schools for all."

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By Candace Sweat
Contributor to The Shorthorn

When Carl Runner got dressed Tuesday morning he didn’t realize the jeans he put on would make a statement.

That was until he got to class and noticed a flyer posted by the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Association.

GLBA hosted a Jean Jam on Tuesday encouraging all students to wear jeans in support of gay, lesbian and bisexual students.

The day-long event was unannounced before Tuesday and came as a surprise to many students who were already wearing jeans that day.