Gay and Lesbian Day of Silence 2010

Here we go again! For those of you not privileged to be acquainted with the annual event, let me give you some details about the Gay and Lesbian Day of Silence for 2010. Our friends at the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) have chosen April 16, 2010 as a day to raise awareness about the problem of harassment towards gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender individuals. The short story is that students nationwide are encouraged to remain silent during the school day, and this somehow is supposed to help other students stop bullying.

As an educator, let me be the first to say that any kind of bullying or hate speech should be banned at public schools. But, is this really what the day is about? And, is this the best way to do it? The answer to both questions – NO! What on the surface appears to be a day to raise awareness of bullying in actuality is a day to promote homosexuality in schools. GLSEN wants your children and mine to accept their belief that homosexuality is normal and those who oppose it on moral grounds are prejudiced. Sorry, I don’t buy it!

See my previous post here for a sample lesson plan from GLSEN.

For more information about the Day of Silence, see this report from Fox News or this one from Focus on the Family.