Students Have the Right Not to Remain Silent

The annual "Day of Silence," sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN), will be celebrated in many public schools next week. This event encourages students to remain silent on April 25. GLSEN claims the event counteracts bullying, but it is merely promoting an anti-heterosexual viewpoint. Schools can teach students the value of respect without accepting GLSEN’s propaganda event. Many states, like Florida, for example, have laws that require abstinence-based education when sexuality is discussed. In those states the school cannot recognize the Day of Silence without promoting abstinence.

Liberty Counsel is encouraging students to mount a counter-celebration to promote a positive message of purity on the Day of Silence. Students are encouraged to wear white and to distribute flyers promoting sexual purity whenever other students are permitted to distribute literature promoting the Day of Silence. We have posted informational flyers and resources on our Day of Purity web site to promote abstinence. The flyers include information about relationships, STDs and related topics.

Some school administrators do not understand that students cannot be penalized for refusing to observe the Day of Silence. Here are some recent complaints Liberty Counsel has received:

Florida - A principal told a father that if his son was not at school on the Day of Silence that the boy would fail the school year. Indiana - A public school is participating in the Day of Silence against the wishes of some parents. Parents were told that it is "against the law" to cancel the program and that any absences would be unexcused that day. Iowa - A school board member told a former student that a student refusing to speak on the Day of Silence was not anymore disruptive in a school setting than a "Christian wearing a cross." Oklahoma - A high school graduate wrote to her former principal to protest the celebration of the Day of Silence. The principal said that if he did not allow the Day of Silence, he could not allow Bible clubs and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. South Dakota - A student was told that if she is absent on the Day of Silence, she must write a paper explaining why she will not participate.

Students are not required to participate in the Day of Silence. Parents who do not want their children exposed to GLSEN's anti-family agenda can choose to keep their children home. We have prepared a letter that explains that students can choose not to participate in the Day of Silence.

If your child is being discriminated against for not observing the Day of Silence, call Liberty Counsel at 800-671-1776. If you send an email, please include your name, address, daytime telephone number and the best time to return your call.

Please pray that students will be protected from forced indoctrination by GLSEN, especially next week, and that the truth will prevail.