GLSEN at SMU :DFW Breaking The Silence Rally

2nd Annual DFW Breaking the Silence Rally. 2nd Annual DFW Breaking the Silence Rally


GLSEN National Day of SilenceThe National Day of Silence brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Each year the event has grown, now with hundreds of thousands of students coming together to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior.Why do we need a Day of Silence?GLSEN's 2007 National School Climate Survey found that 9 out of 10 LGBT students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment at school and more than 30% report missing at least a day of school in the past month out of fear for their personal safety. The Day of Silence helps bring us closer to making anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and name-calling unacceptable in America's schools.Founded in 1996, the Day of Silence has become the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. From the first-ever Day of Silence at the University of Virginia in 1996, to the organizing efforts in over 8,000 middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities across the country in 2008, its textured history reflects its diversity in both numbers and reach.
FOR PLANNING RESOURCES AND MATERIALS, PLEASE VISIT THE DAY OF SILENCE RESOURCE PAGE
Breaking the SilenceRally and ConcertIn an effort to educate the community about school violence and the need for safe school policies that protect all youth, the Dallas chapter of GLSEN, in partnership with Southern Methodist University's SPECTRUM, will be calling for community organizations to join with the Day of Silence student participants for the 2nd Annual DFW Breaking the Silence Rally.The event, designed to show support for schools that are free from violence and harassment, will be held at 7:00 p.m. on April 17 at the Doak Walker Plaza at Southern Methodist University . During the rally, Day of Silence participants from throughout the DFW Metroplex will have an opportunity to share their experience, strength and hope with the larger community. This year's event will also feature the music of Eric Himan, as seen and heard on MTV's LOGO and Sirus Radio's OUTQ Channel. Eric's music draws comparisons to male artists such as Maroon 5 and John Mayer but also female singer-songwriters, Ani DiFranco and Tracy Chapman.Hundreds of thousands of students from over 5,000 middle schools, high schools and colleges will ban together in silence on April 17 in the largest student-led action in the country calling for an end to the bullying, harassment and name-calling endured by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students.

Partner Organizations for BREAKING THE SILENCE:SMU's SPECTRUMCathedral of Hope UCCDFW Bi NetGender Education, Advocacy & Resources (GEAR)League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) 4871 - The Dallas Rainbow CouncilOut Takes DallasP-FLAG Dallas Chapter Promise House QueerliberactionResource Center of Dallas SMU's Women's Center for Gender and Pride Initiatives The Women's Chorus of Dallas

Three Equality Riders Face Waxahachie Judge Today

This past fall many of you supported the third annual Soulforce Q Equality Ride as it visited fifteen schools throughout the South. And much like previous years, some places were receptive and hospitable while others shut their doors. Sadly, Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas falls into the latter category.
In addition to policing gender expression, Southwestern explicitly states that "homosexuality and lesbianism may incur a fine from $50 up to $250 and could result in an appearance before the Student Conduct Committee and possible termination from the university." (These regulations can be found under the Residential Life section of their website.) The school is also home to Cutting Edge, a student organization that declares itself "a ministry to the homosexuals." Even still, leaders at Southwestern decided that there was no room for us or for dialogue about their beliefs and practices. In fact, they chose to preclude our voices altogether. We were directed to an empty parking lot where a small group of representatives greeted us briefly and explained that they were the extent of our welcome.
Three Equality Riders, however, decided to push the boundaries set by administrators. Zak Rittenhouse, Manny Lampón, and Nicholas Rocco DeFinis began to walk towards the student center in hopes of attending morning chapel and engaging their peers. Consequently, they were arrested and had to spend twelve hours in jail. A court date was then set for April 8, 2009.
This Wednesday, Zak, Manny and Nicholas are due before a Waxahachie judge in connection to the stand they took that day. As they prepare for trial, we ask that you keep them in your thoughts. Messages of solidarity can be sent to Q@soulforce.org. You can also visit their Rider pages to make a donation to help cover legal costs. More information about our visit to SAGU can be found on our blog dated October 29. And to read about the 2008 Equality Ride in greater detail and browse photo albums, please visit the official website, EqualityRide.com.
Thank you,

Jarrett Lucas
Equality Ride Co-Director