Day of silence [DOS] is the 8 of Apr. Although this year at South it is being celebrated on the 5 since we do not have school on the 8, as it is a conference day. It is run by the GSA [Gender Sexuality Alliance] here at South and it is to acknowledge people who have been forcefully silenced in one way or another. Ms. Fortey is the teacher for the GSA and one of the people who organized DOS here at South. She has been organizing the GSA for around 15 years: “26 years ago some college students started it, for LGBTQ+ students being bullied, and for all the voices that are being silenced,” Ms. Fortey said when asked how DOS started.
Here at South there was a table in the main entrance before school and during lunches, people wore rainbow pins, GSA pins along with the Safe Saxon S which was designed by Emily Zapien, a senior here at South. People who participated in DOS had cards expressing why people were participating, and the goal of being silent.
When asked the reason people were staying silent, “To honor people who had been forced to be silent,” Ms Fortey said: “People don’t really realize how many people are silent until everyone’s silent”
DOS is more than an excuse to not talk, it is a way to honor LGBTQ+ people who have suffered and it is a way to try to end the suffering and try to spread awareness about LGBTQ+ hate crimes and bullying, which is why it is one of the most prominent days of silence. The 8 Apr. [when DOS is] is the most popular since it includes more LGBTQ+ identities so it is a more inclusive way to honor people who have been silenced.
