Empathetic alliance with those afraid to speak up for themselves
In Rockland, Thomaston, Waldoboro: In-school 'Day of Silence' to support LGBT students
Out! As I Want To Be members, Lindsay Parker and Peyton Feener. (Photo by Kay Stephens)
Oceanside East organizer Lindsay Parker (Photo by Kay Stephens)
'I want people to know that I am an ally and that they can come to me." (Photo by Kay Stephens)
Out! As I Want To Be is a safe place for is an organization for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning young people ages 14-22. (Photo by Kay Stephens)
Out!'s new hang out space for teens is comfortable and private. (Photo by Kay Stephens)
Out! As I Want To Be members, Lindsay Parker and Peyton Feener. (Photo by Kay Stephens)
Oceanside East organizer Lindsay Parker (Photo by Kay Stephens)
'I want people to know that I am an ally and that they can come to me." (Photo by Kay Stephens)
Out! As I Want To Be is a safe place for is an organization for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning young people ages 14-22. (Photo by Kay Stephens)
Out!'s new hang out space for teens is comfortable and private. (Photo by Kay Stephens)
Eight years ago, a single teenager, who went by the nickname Muffin, started an awareness campaign for kids who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender. Alone, she faced off her entire school, vowing a day of silence, making it visibly known she was standing up for kids too afraid to speak.
One girl’s campaign has now spread to hundreds of students and staff. This Friday, April 26, students at three Midcoast high schools will observe a Day of Silence, a student-led day of action to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT harassment in schools. Participating students at Oceanside East, Oceanside West and Medomak High School will take a vow of silence for the school day, excluding class time, to bring attention to how name-calling and bullying can effectively silence the voices of LGBT students and allies.
Never has the time for this awareness campaign been so pivotal. Only last month, a 13-year-old girl from Thorndike committed suicide. Her family saidbullying played a role in her death as she was harassed for “trying to figure out her sexuality,” according to The Portland Press Herald.
In a recent study by GLSEN of Maine’s school climate, 97 percent of students heard “gay” used in a negative or derogatory way; nine out of 10 LGBT students reported experiencing harassment in their schools and communities. And LGBT students are more likely than their peers to miss classes and fall behind because of harassment.
Teenage advocates of Out! As I Want To Be, are organizing and leading the Day of Silence at each school. Lindsay Parker, who is part of Oceanside East’s GSTA (gay-straight-transgender) Alliance at school is coordinating her school’s event.
“We’re spreading awareness that gay bullying does happen," she said. "We’re going to wear red because that’s the color of the Human Rights Campaign. We’ll have a big poster everyone can sign. People can take photos of themselves holding up a sign that says, 'My name is _____I’m going to stop the silence by ______.' ”
Parker said the campaign of silence is supposed to be outside of class time.
“People can be silent at lunch time and in between classes if they want to," she said.
She explained the purpose of the silence is for allies to show an empathetic alliance with those who are silenced every day, afraid to speak up for themselves.
“I want people to know that I am an ally and that they can come to me,” she said.
“We’ve got the principal and vice principal on board with it," said Parker. "The whole office is cool with it. I’ve got teachers coming up to me saying if we need anything, they’ll help out.”
The students are clearly aware, however, not everyone will be on board with this concept at the schools.
“I have the feeling we’re going to get some trouble on the actual day," said Parker. "I anticipate some kids will be rude about it.”
Seren/Alec Merrifield, the organizer for Oceanside West explained: “Most people don’t care about bullying. They think there is a minimal of bullying [against LGBT students]. But when it does happen, everybody in the school turns on one person. So, we’re just trying to get people to notice that is does exist.”
Alisha Nickerson, the organizer for Medomak added: “People tend to notice a mass amount of people being silent more than they seem to actually notice bullying all around them. We’re hoping we can make it known we’re not going to back down.”
Harriet Mosher and Lis Clark, adult advisors at Out!, said Camden Hills Regional High School has been doing a Day of Silence for several years. Due to scheduling conflicts, CHRHS will be organizing its own Day of Silence in the near future.
“This is the first year this event has spread to multiple schools in the Midcoast,” said Clark.
“Even though it culminates on one day, the conversation about the importance of this issue has been happening between and among students and teachers for a couple of weeks now and will continue after the day is over,” said Mosher.
For students looking for support or who wish to be allies, contact Out! As I Want To Be In Rockland at www.outmaine.org. CHRHS and both Oceanside Schools have GSTA (gay-straight-transgender alliances) and Medomak is working on instituting one in the fall.
Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com
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