The Day of Silence demonstrations that happen all across the country today aim to raise awareness about bullying of LGBT students. But as usual, not all are happy with the peaceful GLSEN initiative.
I wrote about this hateful ad from the Illinois Family Institute, and there's also a group of high school students who attempted to counter Day of Silence participants last year by wearing shirts depicting unfavorable Bible passages relating to homosexuality. The students were suspended and the above video was taken of their apparent leader ranting against the gays. I'm guessing the kid in the video will either end up gay, or a serial gay-basher.
Anyways, in a more positive note ABC News put out a great article about bullying and the teachers who ignore it. Jason Maninno also penned a article about his own experiences and recent deaths related to bullying.
So while most of us are beyond our days of elementary school and mean kids, let's remember that many young gay students face a tough time in schools. What are your thoughts on the video and Day of Silence demonstrations?
– Andy
It’s so easy living in New York to forget how incredibly difficult it is to be gay in other places in the country, and how difficult it can often be to be a queer youth. I hope that shows of solidarity like the National Day of Silence provide support in such communities, despite the bigoted backlash. Such things can really make a huge difference.
we will be glad to let you wear our shirts when you uncensor tv, media, etc etc…..your religion depicts we cant say what we want and it works both ways bucko!
lolol, 3%
is it just me.. or does every other person in the video seem to not care as this guy is ranting nonsense?
“I may disagree with what you have to say, but I will fight with every ounce of my life for your right to say it.”
Fact of the matter: they are peaceably disagreeing. That’s their right. At my university we held a speakout today, and we wouldn’t have had that even twenty years ago. So, what? Now ours is the only voice that matters? Freedom doesn’t work that way.
I watched the video, and I have no problem with these young people wearing their shirts to make a statement that they believe in. You cannot win your own rights by denying others theirs! By forbidding them to wear their shirts we are denying them to fundamental rights:
1. The right to practice their religion according to the dictates of their conscience.
2. The right to freely express their views without interference from the government.
You may not like what they have to say or what they believe, but they fully have the right to say it, and believe it, and to live out their beliefs according to their conscience.
Oh but you guys may have forgotten that when your in high school, there’s a rule where you can’t wear offensive t-shirts. Well thats how it was in my HS. Maybe you all are too old to remember that but I would be highly offended if someone walked around with a t-shirt saying that I am nothing but a sin and I shouldn’t deserve the same rights as everyone else. Also these students are protesting a day that honors all students that have been bullied and harassed because of their orientation. To allow them to wear the t-shirts is condoning the harassment and the bullying. I’m glad they got suspended. Its about time people stood up for those poor kids that were harassed.