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THE OFFICIAL “BREAKING THE SILENCE” PLAYLISTBy GLSEN’s National Student Council

Angel Haze Same - Love RemixBen E King - Stand By MeBeyonce - FreedomBeyonce - Run The World (Girls)Cher - PrideColdplay - Viva La VidaDaya - Sit Still Look PrettyHayley Kiyoko - SleepoverHayley Kiyoko - Girls Like GirlsFrank Ocean - ChanelKaty Perry - RoarLady Gaga - Born This WayMadonna - VoguePriory - Put ‘Em UpRihanna - We Found LoveCher - BelieveSia - The GreatestSteve Grand - We Are The NightTLC - No ScrubsTLC - WaterfallsTroye Sivan - YouthThe Replacements - AndrogynousRupaul - ChampionYears & Year - DesireFrank Ocean - Pink + White

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If children are the future then surelyWe must never let them be raised In silence

But if silence were fists, then surelyWe must raise themUnabashed like sons, daughters, children of all colors--

Let silence no longer be a weapon, but a shieldA moment of silence to mourn what was lost,A day of silence to reclaim what is ours.

“GLSEN’s Day of Silence is a student-led national event organized in thousands

of schools, bringing awareness to the silencing effects of anti-LGBTQ name-

calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Students from middle school to

college take a vow of silence in an effort to encourage schools and classmates

to address the problem of anti-LGBTQ behavior by illustrating the silencing

effect of bullying and harassment on LGBTQ students and those perceived to be

LGBTQ.” -GLSEN

This Zine has been compiled by GLSEN’s 2016-2017 National Student Council

to provide a resource for teachers, students and GSA’s all across the nation.

“I want to recommend that we use the phrase “Silence Is Ours” as the primary

slogan of Day of Silence, with the overall theme emphasizing the reclaiming

of silence as a tool for advocacy, rather than a means of oppression.” -Gabby

Rivera, GLSEN Youth Programs Manager.

RECLAIMING A GENERATION

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By Keress Ambrose Aprilus Frey (7, they/them)

By Rebekah R. 18, she/her

A PERSONAL ESSAY ON SILENCE

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Silence is arguably the most powerful tool that people can wield. Like a sword, it slices through the constant, everyday chatter. Silence offers a moment for people to reflect and ponder. In our everyday world, consistent chatter is the norm. People are constantly connected through social media, and we are often forced into social situations where communication is expected. In this way, remaining silent serves as an act of civil disobedience. Wielding the power of silence forces people to consider why certain voices are missing at the table. It forces people outside of their norm and sometimes into a state of discomfort. This place of discomfort is often the most effec¬tive place for people to learn. Students should participate in Day of Silence as a way to protest the systems in place that silence so many, to experience a day of reflection and empathy for those that are silenced every day, and to lean into discomfort to discover something new about themselves and the world they live in.

Many people every day are silenced, and because one can never fully under-stand what it means to that person, those that are silenced often go overlooked. LG¬BTQ students can feel silenced in classrooms and schools where there is not a GSA, policies condemning bullying and harassment, and supportive faculty and students. Additionally, many students have been silenced due to the change in the political cli¬mate. Taking time on Day of Silence to recognize those for whom silence is a reality every day is an excellent way to show solidarity.

Day of Silence also serves as a day of reflection. Because we are constantly bombarded with stimuli throughout the day, silence can be a great way to reflect on what’s happening all around and even within. When one truly engages in the act of listening, the capability

A PERSONAL ESSAY ON SILENCE

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to learn grows. Empathy is the ability to understand the experiences of others. Day of Silence allows one to listen to others and contemplate how their perspective differs from one’s own. Additionally, Day of Silence serves as a catalyst for learning through examining any sort of discomfort experienced during the day.

After Day of Silence, one can find oneself asking where are voices that are missing from their daily conversations. Silence can be an effective tool to bridge understanding, build on empathy, and acknowledge those silenced every day. Some associate silence with passivity, but if one truly embraces the silence and wields it in a powerfully disruptive way, so much more can happen when we take control and reclaim our silence.

By by Danny C. (18, he/him) and Madison M. (17, she/her)

10 DAY OF SILENCE TIPS AND TRICKS

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1. Don’t use duct tape to cover your mouth. Opt for a shirt or sign around your neck that visibly shows your support without hurting yourself!

2. Change your phone lock screen to the official Day of Silence statement to show to your teachers, friends, and coworkers over the course of the day why you’re being silent. You can find it at glsen.org/dayofsilence.

3. Plan something to break the silence, whether it’s a dance, a picnic, or a little after-school meeting to make some joyous noise.

4. Remember you have a right to free speech, and that includes the right not to speak. If you feel your rights are being violated, contact Lambda Legal, and they may be able to help! More info at glsen.org/dayofsilence.

5. Partner with a local GLSEN Chapter to host a Breaking the Silence rally.

6. Promote Day of Silence at your school by hanging up posters, distributing flyers, setting up a table at lunch, or even making an announcement over the PA system to get others involved!

7. Sign up for GLSEN UP at glsen.org/glsenup and stay connected with advocacy actions dedicated to the wellbeing of LGBTQ youth in schools.

8. Make Day of Silence shirts! You can make them on your own, or create custom ones for your school or GSA at glsen.org/dosshirts! Other shirts are available for purchase at glsen.org/shop.

9. Share the Day of Silence Educator Guide with your teachers and GSA advisors. You can find it at glsen.org/dayofsilence.

10. Use the momentum from Day of Silence to stay involved in LGBTQ student issues. Register your school’s GSA at glsen.org to get helpful advice all year long!

By Kian T. (16, they/them, he/him)

TRUE LIFE: DAY OF SILENCE WOKE UP MY SCHOOL

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This quote truly embodies the importance of Day of Silence for me as an LGBTQ youth. It shows that we must always make our voices heard. Anti-LGBTQ harassment and bullying leaves students feeling unsafe and unable to speak up. But by participating in Day of Silence, you are not only making your voice heard, but also bringing attention to the voices that aren’t.

My freshman year of high school, I felt silenced. I was bullied and scared, and I didn’t know what to do. No one was listening to my voice, and eventually I stopped feeling like I had one at all.

Seeing people at my school participate in Day of Silence made me feel less alone. It assured me that people within my school were willing to stand up for me when I experienced anti-LGBTQ harassment. Without the Day of Silence, the members of my school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance, and the numerous allies within my school, I wouldn’t know I had that support.

Now that I am out of that situation, I will stop at nothing to make my voice heard. I will stand up against bullying and protect those who can’t protect themselves. I was once in that situation; I was hopeless. But, here I am now. It is almost exactly a year later, and I am advocating on the national level to make a difference in the world.

If you are being bullied and harassed, please remember that you are not alone. Everyone participating in Day of Silence cares about making your school safe for you. Rise together as a school and a community. You will make it through it and have your voice heard.

We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” - Elie Wiesel “