DALLAS MAYOR PROCLAIMS APRIL 25, 2008 AS DAY OF SILENCE

City of Dallas supports youth-led call for an end to the bullying and harassment.
Apr 23, 2008

Sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), participants in the National Day of Silence vow not to speak, at least for part of the school day, in an effort to bring attention to harassment – in effect, the silencing – experienced by LGBT students and their allies. Rather than speaking, participants hand out “speaking cards” explaining their reasons for remaining silent throughout the day. \t In an effort to educate the community about school violence and the need for safe school policies that protect all youth, the Dallas chapter of GLSEN, in partnership with Youth First Texas, has organized over 20 Dallas and Ft. Worth community organizations to join with the Day of Silence student participants for the first ever Breaking the Silence Rally. The event, designed to show support for schools that are free from violence and harassment, will be held at 7:00 p.m. on April 25 in Reverchon Park, located near the intersection of Maple and Oak Lawn in Dallas.

This year’s National Day of Silence will be held in memory of Lawrence King, a 15-year-old California student who was shot and killed at school in February by a 14-year-old classmate because of King’s sexual orientation and gender expression. \t The Day of Silence is an opportunity for students to take the initiative to teach one another about diversity, respect and safety for all students. Students gain leadership skills, provide a valuable service to the school community and empower themselves by realizing their ability to make a difference in their school.

For more information regarding the National Day of Silence visit dayofsilence.org.

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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR/CITY OF DALLAS

Proclamation

WHEREAS, the National Day of Silence is a day in which students take a vow of silence to bring attention to the anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender name-calling, bullying, and harassment faced by individuals in schools, including students, teachers, and other school staff;

WHEREAS, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network has designated one day of every April as the National Day of Silence;

WHEREAS, the 2008 National Day of Silence will be held in memory of Lawrence King, a 14-year-old California student who was shot and killed in school in February by a 14-year-old classmate because of King’s sexual orientation and gender identity/expression;

WHEREAS, more than 500,000 students from more than 5,000 junior and high schools participated in the National Day of Silence in previous years;

WHEREAS, more than 80 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students have been verbally harassed at school by their peers because of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression;

WHEREAS, nearly 40 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students were physically harassed by their peers because of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression;

WHEREAS, nearly 20 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students were physically assaulted by their peers at school because of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression;

WHEREAS, 40 States do not have laws protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students from name-calling, bullying, and harassment that occurs at school because of sexual orientation ; and

WHEREAS, every child should be guaranteed an education free from name-calling, bullying, harassment, and discrimination regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression; Now, therefore, be it;

\tNOW, THEREFORE, I TOM LEPPERT, mayor of the City of Dallas and on behalf of the Dallas City Council do herby proclaim April 25, 2008 as

Day of Silence Day

In Dallas, Texas.