21/04/2009 / United States
Our Day of Silence turned into a huge
controversy. In my school there are a lot of homophobic people. While we
remained silent, many boys, but also a lot of girls, shouted names like ‘queer'
at us. To tell you the truth I couldn't hold my tongue. I used to, but now I
can't help speaking out. I don't attack my attackers, I just tell them to
accept who we are. I came out when I was 13 and I've been bullied for it ever
since. Last year I was beaten up by six boys. I was just walking down the
corridor, and they came out of the gym. They chased me and attacked me, at the
same time shouting things like ‘you're a freak, you're a faggot'.
Gay teenagers, hold your tongue
Posted on Flickr by "The current".
Eight thousand schools in the US held a national "day of silence" on Friday. The unspoken message: stop the bullying of gay and lesbian pupils.
The event, now in its fourteenth year, is organised by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. Sick of being silenced by homophobic bullies, gay students and those supporting their freedom of expression held a united silence for a day.
This year's event gained extra attention after the death of 11-year-old Carl Walker-Hoover just days before. His family says he hanged himself because of taunts that he was gay.Contributors
'While the teachers (...) say we don't have a problem with bullying, this day proved that we do'
Arny Zabarain is a gay 17-year-old pupil from Lodi, New Jersey.
Our Day of Silence turned into a huge
controversy. In my school there are a lot of homophobic people. While we
remained silent, many boys, but also a lot of girls, shouted names like ‘queer'
at us. To tell you the truth I couldn't hold my tongue. I used to, but now I
can't help speaking out. I don't attack my attackers, I just tell them to
accept who we are. I came out when I was 13 and I've been bullied for it ever
since. Last year I was beaten up by six boys. I was just walking down the
corridor, and they came out of the gym. They chased me and attacked me, at the
same time shouting things like ‘you're a freak, you're a faggot'.
I think the Day of Silence was a good thing because while the teachers and administrators always say we don't have a problem with bullying, the reaction to what we did on this day proved that we do. This is my last year of high school and I hope when I get to college it'll be different."
In opposition to the Day of Silence
This video comes from the Illinois Family Institute , which describes itself as an organisation that upholds "marriage and family, life and liberty". It stoutly opposes the Day of Silence for the "vitriol and deception promulgated by some of its supporters" and for "undermining conservative beliefs about homosexuality".
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Scary brainwashing
Submitted by Joanne Robrahn (not verified) on Tue, 12/05/2009 - 22:26.What's scary is that conservative thinkers can be swayed by such blatant brainwashing procedures as those offered by the "Illinois Family Institute."
I can't believe they say things like, they want a day set aside to silence the criticism, bullying, etc. and it makes me say--yeah, what's your point? On what planet is that a bad thing?
Unregistered user
Shame
Submitted by Joanne Robrahn (not verified) on Tue, 12/05/2009 - 22:28.And I agree--it shouldn't be only one day! One day to fight bigotry, bullying, criticism so bad that it causes children to kill themselves? It shames me to be an American in such a society.
Unregistered user
Silence
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 11/05/2009 - 22:21.This suits me fine lets see if this "day of silence" can continue but don't leave at a day hoe about a decade.
Unregistered user
this is a prime example of
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 11/05/2009 - 20:16.this is a prime example of the sick, convoluted thinking that still exists in this country..very sad but real..just a reminder of how far we need to go & another reason for the passage of the Matthew Shepard Act (Federal Hate Crimes Bill)..it is scary to realize that such people still hold on to such hateful beliefs
Unregistered user
How absolutely ridiculous!
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 11/05/2009 - 18:30.How absolutely ridiculous! As an English person looking across to the USA, I find it truly amazing that a race which is supposedly 'The most advanced on this planet' can actually have members who think in such an archaic way! Surely if there is a God then he/she would want nothing more than to see his/her 'children' all playing nicely. Why incite a riot? Chistians are so quick to point the finger at those of the Muslim faith for being brain-washed with crazy notions; surely this video portrays just those same notions in a very hippocritical manner.
If more time, energy and money was spent on the far greater issues in hand then the world could then be a much more pleasant place to reside in. All I can say is get your heads out of the sand and grow up! Homosexuality is not a disease, it is part of human genetical make-up which, if you believe in such a way, was originally created by God himself/herself so surely the finger should be pointed towards God for allowing this to happen?
I think enough said. ALL humans are humans, so let's treat each other how we wish to be treated ourselves.
Unregistered user
Good for you
Submitted by Joanne Robrahn (not verified) on Tue, 12/05/2009 - 22:30.Well said!
Unregistered user
As a Christian, I love all
Submitted by Buck (not verified) on Mon, 11/05/2009 - 17:20.As a Christian, I love all people. Nationality, gender, race, have no effect on this love and respect. I feel the same for homosexuals. I feel just as strongly in the sacrement of marriage being between a man and a woman. Some things are not changeable by humankind as they are God's word. Love is most certainly of God. Homosexuals are loved by God and by Christians without question. Same sex marriage is appalled. People cannot change God's will. Peace to all in the world.
Unregistered user
Ignorance is not bliss.
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 11/05/2009 - 17:52.Why are you writing about marriage??? This forum is for the "Day of Silence;" a day where people--let me emphasis on this again, PEOPLE--stand up for themselevs. No one was discussing about marriage. Please, don't be ignorant and say that it is "God['s]" will. Frankly, I don't care what you think, but people like you preach hate while at the same time you say we need to love everyone. Hipocrisy is your--and your crew's--forté.
Please, USE YOUR BRAIN to see how much suffering you have caused other people???
If you are so scared of the "sacrement of marriage," then push for a ban in divorse; adultry punishible by death; and reinstate women as mere property to man: that is what the bible and your god said about marriage. You used the bible to justify slavery, apartheid, and women sufferage.
Just think; that is all I ask.
P.S>: this is for all people who preach hate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03PnU27cWDs
Unregistered user
I feel no hate for you or
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 11/05/2009 - 18:07.I feel no hate for you or homosexuals. I love all people. I have caused suffering to no one. I am a common man with little or no political power. Why do I scare you? I wish no harm to anyone. You speak of tolerance but have no respect or tolerance for my feelings. Why the hypocrasy? Peace be with you and all the world.
Unregistered user
Can you not see the inherent
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 11/05/2009 - 17:44.Can you not see the inherent contradiction in what you are saying? If you truly love homosexuals, then surely you would want them to be happy? Why deny them the happiness of a committed relationship, recognised by the law and by the community?
Unregistered user
I wish happiness for all.
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 11/05/2009 - 18:12.I wish happiness for all. Please respect my feelings as they are not mal- intended. I wish you peace and happiness. God love you.
Unregistered user
Yours Is "Love" we just don't need Buck
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 11/05/2009 - 17:36.I'm sorry but your attempts at intellectualising and saying you "love" homosexuals just don't cut it. You and your god are the reason for the persecution and the reason for ongoing rebellion against all that you stand for.
I for one am not interested in your tolerance - I simply don't care what you think - there is no such thing as gods will and marriage along with the rest of the symbolic nonsense that underpins what is the fundamental lie of religion is a scar on the face of humanity- you should be ashamed of yourself
Unregistered user
some more of that famous
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Wed, 13/05/2009 - 05:38.some more of that famous liberal tolerance - you can tolerate anything but conservatives. Unfortunately typical
Unregistered user
Unfortunately, God, in all
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Tue, 12/05/2009 - 22:33.Unfortunately, God, in all his many forms, is the reason for most of the intolerance and war in the world. It does not help to endear people to "Him" when intolerant, ignorant people speak for "Him."
Unregistered user
To see the problem, you need
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 11/05/2009 - 21:25.To see the problem, you need only look in the mirror.
Unregistered user
I feel as if you are
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 11/05/2009 - 20:37.I feel as if you are prosecuting this one person for the religious issues that we as humans have been fighting about for centuries. Please don't beat this one religious individual for their beliefs; if you preach tolerance you should be tolerant of their religious idealisms. You SHOULD NOT tell someone to feel ashamed of their beliefs anymore than you should tell someone who is gay or lesbian that they should be ashamed of their sexuality.
To be honest my friend YOU are the reason for such animosity, this person from the opposite side of the traditional argument has stated that they are in support of your traditional side. Please do not use such shallow judgements on someone you don't know.
thank you
Unregistered user
Thank you for your
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 11/05/2009 - 21:21.Thank you for your enlightened view. The hatred and intolerance that is displayed above to the person called Buck is a prime example of the problem. Some people speak tolerance out of one side of their face and then turn around and chastize others for not agreeing with them. I appaud Buck for eloquently stating his Christian beliefs. And he did so in a loving way. Shame on Buck? Think again.
Unregistered user
I'll pray for you too.
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 11/05/2009 - 18:10.I'll pray for you too.
Unregistered user
Be courageous Arny , times
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Tue, 21/04/2009 - 21:56.Be courageous Arny , times are changing . I am sure you will be more free in University . Big kis from France where gay people have seen "prayer for boby" on monday afternoon on the french television .
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