Day of Silence: April 17th

Hey, everybody. With everything going on, I totally forgot to mention another important event for the month of April in my last post. This event is one of the most important in the teenage LGBT community every year: Day of Silence, which is Friday, April 17th.

Day of Silence is an annual nationwide project created by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). During the day, students from middle school to college take a vow of silence in an effort to draw attention to the harassment, bullying, and discrimination (or silencing) LGBT students and their allies face on a daily basis. This brings about a call to action by students, parents, teachers, and so forth to bring an end to such discrimination. This is the 13th annual DOS. More information can be found on http://dayofsilence.org.

While most schools that have Gay-Straight Alliance clubs sponsor the event, not every school has such an organization (mine included). For those students, it is important to organize the event ourselves, and get our peers to participate. It can be pretty daunting (I did it last year, and this year as well) but it can be done.
The most important thing is to get students who will take the event seriously. The LGBT educational movement is only hindered when those participating act foolish or immature. Avoid students who merely wish to not talk in class. Make sure they understand the implications of this project.

Finding students can be tricky, especially in schools where open LGBT students are few. This is why open-minded students, especially underclassman, are integral. Not only are they often willing to support what most would see as a lost-cause, it is important to educate the younger generation who do not have as much experience with LGBT discrimination.

For the most part, the faculty and administration will not try to hinder you. We have an amazing set of rights schools dare not infringe open. If someone tries to reprimand you, gently remind them of your rights and ability to contact your closest American Civil Liberties Union. If they continue to not allow your protest, act upon it.

Yes, I know my post comes fairly late in the game. You might feel that organizing the event this soon before the day is impossible. It’s not. If you hit it hard, you can still make a difference. Even an individual student is better than nothing. Think of the big picture. We need to make our schools safe for LGBT students. The implications of doing nothing are far too great. It’s time to break the status quo. Good luck.

For all the information you need to participate in DOS, visit http://dayofsilence.org/. They have speaking cards, event planning guides, FAQs, legal advice, and much more.

The Busy, Busy Month of April

Hey, everybody! Sorry it’s been awhile since I’ve blogged, but so much has been going on right now that I haven’t had a chance. Well, I’ve finally had a break in scholarship deadlines, which is good because all kinds of stuff have been happening lately! So this might be a pretty long post. Bear with me.

First of all, HECK YES IOWA AND VERMONT! Marriage equality for both! Within the past few weeks, the Iowa Supreme Court struck down the gay marriage ban, while legislators of Vermont overrode the governor’s veto on a bill that allowed full same-sex unions. By the time I get this online, more states could have followed suit. New Hampshire, Maine, and Washington DC are both tackling the issue, and of course, we still await the decision about Prop 8 in California. If you are a resident of one of these states, please get the word out! We need voices to make this happen. And with prom season upon us, I urge those attending to use the dance floor as a podium and don a white knot, the hottest new LGBT protest symbol during the event. Heck, if you can wear one then, you might as well wear it everywhere you go. More information can be found at http://whiteknot.org/.

Personally, I’m amazed what this month has brought me. Not only were these fantastic feats of equality accomplished, April has (and will be) a very busy month for me. Every single week has something new.

During the first week, I had the fortune to see what I am convinced is the most amazing concert ever: The Circus Starring Britney Spears. My mom and I, with my bestie Jaleigh in tow, drove up to Kansas City, Missouri, so Jaleigh and I could attend the incredible show. It was magnificent; the stunts, the dancing, the music, and every other aspect were above and beyond the status quo. I even enjoyed the Pussycat Dolls (Britney’s opening act), and I’m not a huge fan of their music. The crowd was along every step of the way; I have never heard such fanaticism. She did mostly tracks from her newest two albums, Circus and Blackout, but even brought back songs from her yesteryears. We all lost it as soon as the words “Oh baby, baby” warbled through the stadium. And I have never seen so many gay men in one place in my whole life. It was empowering. I lost my voice (which I luckily regained before a forensics meet that same weekend) and spent tons of money on merch I really didn’t need, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

Of course, to justify getting out of school, I had to do something others would deem “productive” as well. Luckily, I was able to visit the Kansas and Western Missouri office of the American Civil Liberties Union, a major force on the LGBT fighting front. The three of us had an amazing hour and half conversation with its director Dan Winter about all sorts of things: growing up LGBT, scholarships, current LGBT issues, college, and much more. I received a ton of information about LGBT rights and how to fight them, and my school didn’t mark me absent because to my visit.

This week is also special: I am turning 18 on the 9th! Finally, will be able to purchase “adult” materials, spray paint, lottery tickets, and have many more freedoms. I will not be purchasing tobacco, however, because that’s just not good. Big Tobacco has plenty of money to spend trying to get children to smoke; I’m not helping their cause. I eagerly await my first night of clubbing (alcohol-free, of course) with friends. Dance is such great exercise!

The week after that is my senior prom. My suit is EPIC (pics to come). I won’t be taking Dakota, unfortunately. We decided to both go to our own instead. I’m taking my good friend Danielle in his place. I look forward to a full night of fun and freak dancing (all while sporting my white knot!)

In the final week of April, my favorite book series still producing new novels releases its eighth book: 8th Confession. Yes, a new chapter to the Women’s Murder Club saga by James Patterson hits the shelves April 27th. You absolutely have to try these murder mysteries (and get them two at a time because as soon as you finish one, you’ll wanna pick up the next). The first book is called 1st to Die, and the entire series is amazing. Do yourself a favor.

Well, that’s it for now. After this busy month, I wonder what lies in the months that follow. Surely they won’t be nearly as exciting as this one. I’ll probably be bored out of my mind. Oh, well. I saw Britney. I can die now.