|
Queer Youth Updates: Day of Silence News
April 15, 2011 is National Day of Silence!
1. Congressmember Sam Farr Supports National Day of Silence
2. Updates on National Day of Silence
3. Day of Silence Rally!
4. News: United Way “Speaking Out on Day of Silence” Article
1. Congressmember Farr Supports National Day of Silence
Congressmember Sam Farr (D-CA) addressed the Floor of Congress today in support of National Day of Silence, and stood in solidarity with hundreds of thousands of students nationwide to bring attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in their schools. Congressmember Farr continues his long record of support for legislation on behalf of LGBTIQ youth and, since 2002, speaks out on Day of Silence. Visit Congressmember Farr's YouTube Page or check out Congressmember Farr's Day of Silence Statement.
2. Updates on National Day of Silence
Stay up-to-date with the latest national news about Day of Silence on Facebook, Twitter and the National Day of Silence website.
3. Day of Silence Rally!
What: Day of Silence Rally
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz Clock Tower
When: 5:00 - 6:30 pm, April 15th
Who: Everyone! Queer youth, adults, and allies are encouraged to participate
Why? The National Day of Silence is a day of action in which people across the country take a vow of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment. The purpose of this rally is to come together as a community to break that silence. This event is hosted by the Diversity Center of Santa Cruz
4. News: United Way “Speaking Out on Day of Silence” Article
Mary Lou Goeke, Executive Director of the United Way of Santa Cruz County, featured her United Way Community Matters weekly column in the Thursday, April 14, 2011 Register Pajaronianon on Day of Silence. The full text is at the end of this email.
-------
“Speaking Out on Day of Silence”
Thursday, April 14, 2011
United Way Community Matters
Register Pajaronian
By Mary Lou Goeke, Executive Director of the United Way of Santa Cruz County
Every year hundreds of thousands of students, teachers, youth and allies alike from around the country choose to remain silent in honor of queer youth and the remembrance of so many who have been silenced by history. National Day of Silence is a project that empowers young people across the country and even globally to take back their voices to make a bold statement: that their voices would be missed, that those we don’t hear need to be heard, and those who have been lost in their struggle to live authentically cannot be forgotten. As we approach the annual National Day of Silence on April 15th, I turn my attention once again to our young people here on the Central Coast and our youngest south county residents.
Congressmember Sam Farr, who is an outspoken representative of South County, makes a statement from the floor of Congress each year in honor of these brave students being sure to commend our local youth for their participation in such a bold campaign. His is a statement of solidarity and recognition on behalf of our elected officials for the tenacity of our young people. For many youth it’s a simple an effective way to participate in saying everything they may not have the words to say. So many young people are experiencing harassment and bullying at alarming levels in their schools and across their campuses and these students are standing up for their right to be heard, or not heard as the case may be. The project is quite simple: Remain silent for one entire day. Although this may not seem like much, it is harder than one might think, not only for the participant but for everyone around them as well. Imagine the frustration of wanting to ask your friend or colleague a question only to be met with silence, imagine seeing your friend but having no way of communicating with them, imagine not being able to have even idle conversation with the one’s you love. The Day of Silence makes you contemplate this possibility and focuses specifically on the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender youth who have been silenced by their families, schools, friends, or even by themselves.
Here in South County, many of our youngest residents know this silence all too well. Being fearful of harassment or bullying by friends and peers many will choose not to be true to themselves, not to speak up when they see or hear people being threatening, or will choose to become the bullies themselves so as to avoid the suspicion of being LGBT. As a community advocate, a long time South County resident and an ally to youth I believe that all of our young people should have the best chance at life that they possibly can. The United Way provides support and services to all of its residents to insure that no one goes without, many of us have invested our time and energy to help those in need, and LGBT students and youth in our county are crying out for our help in their silence.
They are tugging on our sleeves and asking us to step up and be the best allies we can possibly be. They are challenging us to stand with them in solidarity and not remain silent but rather use our voices, use our wisdom, wield or age and our influence to effect positive change that can help to save lives, improve lives, and empower the lives of all of our youth in helping to ensure the safety and vitality of our LGBT residents. Get involved and choose to openly stand up against intolerance, and not just for LGBT youth because ensuring the health of any of our residents is investing in the health of all of our residents.
Last month I mentioned the Queer Youth Leadership Awards, now in it’s 14th year of honoring and celebrating queer youth in Santa Cruz County. This is a wonderful event and a great way for you to show your solidarity. This year’s Queer Youth Leadership Awards will be held at San Lorenzo Valley High School and now more than ever QYLA needs our support to show SLV that we stand with them and that we are proud to embrace the entirety of our county. This year’s QYLA event is being co-hosted by the vibrant and active San Lorenzo Valley High School’s Gay Straight Alliance; a group of about 20 young people who are both queer youth and allies working together to effect positive change and visibility for queer youth on their school’s campus. Please join me in attending the Queer Youth Leadership Awards on May 14th starting at 6 pm for dinner at San Lorenzo Valley High School to show our support and lend our voices in solidarity for the sake of creating a healthy and vibrant community here on the central coast.
For more information on QYLA please visit: www.QYLA.org and for more information on National Day Of Silence, including how to participate please visit: www.dayofsilence.org
### |
