We were thrilled to connect with so many devoted GLSEN Connecticut supporters at the True Colors conference last month.  And, we'd like to extend a heartfelt welcome to the hundreds of you that are receiving this newsletter for the first time!  We know this is a busy time of year for everyone but we hope you'll stay in touch. If you're interested in volunteering with our Chapter please click here to fill out our volunteer application.  And, if you or a student you know is interested in learning more about our fantastic Jump-Start Student Leadership Team, please click here.  We've got lots of updates for you, and are particularly excited to announce our first, statewide GLSEN Connecticut Safe Schools Summit!  Keep reading for more information. 

 

And of course, if it's April, it must time for the national Day of Silence, which is being held this year on Friday, April 20th. This is a day during which students in schools across the country remain silent in order to raise awareness the many voices silenced by anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools.  The Day of Silence website offers a wealth of information to help plan your school's participation, along with a very helpful document written by our friends at Lambda Legal explaining your legal right to participate.  And, please read below for plans and ideas from our Jump-Start Team Student Leaders about ways they will be participating in their own schools.    

 

On the flip-side of silence, we have great news to report about the new documentary "Bully". As we mentioned last month, Katy Butler, a 17 year-old student from Michigan was outraged at this movie being rated "R".  She took that outrage and started an online petition to get that rating changed.  Thanks in large part to the outcry of over 500,000 online voices, the Motion Picture Association of America has reversed its original decision and now rates this movie as PG-13!  This movie that so clearly illustrates the devastating reality of bullying in our schools can now be seen by those who need it most - students in middle and high schools.  And Katy has shown how much one student can do to create change.  Please click here to read more about her inspiring story.

 

Much closer to home, we're inspired by our own Jump-Start Student Leadership Team.  They are working tirelessly to put the finishing touches on our student-led Safe Schools Summit in order to offer a day of education, connection and inspiration.  We hope that all who attend will put what they learn into action in their local schools and communities, so together we can continue to make schools safer for all students.

    

Peace,

Leif Mitchell and Liane Roseman 

Co-Chairs, GLSEN Connecticut 

Since the Day of Silence is fast approaching we'd love to share some of our ideas with you.  And please remember that your school can always choose to observe the Day of Silence on any date that is most convenient throughout the school year!    

   

Skylar Liam Spear

"Every lunch period, we'll have a table advertising the Day of Silence and we'll paint the colors of the rainbow on the rock in front of our school to spread the message. During the Day of Silence, we'll all have something, such as a pin or sticker, to mark that we're part of the GSA while everybody else participating will have a wristband. I would definitely pass out some sort of note explaining what the Day of Silence is so that it's easy to show people why you're not talking. You can download and print them from the Day of Silence website. A lot of people can be against it or try to stop it; just remember that there's no legal way for them to prevent you from participating, at least in the hallways."    Skylar Liam Spear, Amity High School

"Our GSA will include a Week of Awareness leading up to the Day of

Julian Arias

Silence. We're planning on wearing white shirts with N0H8 ("No Hate") stickers and will hand out information on what the Day of Silence is about. Each day will be a different theme, which will have statistics, LGBTQ/Suicide hotlines, and other resources for LGBTQIA students. Some challenges will be getting administrative approval for some of your GSA's activities; educators/staff members and students might be opposed to the Day of Silence as well, but there are different ways to tackle this opposition. You can provide information and let people know that the Day of Silence is about providing a safe and supportive space for all students regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. This year, there will be a huge number of people that will be participating in the Day of Silence, and it will hopefully get our GSA new members!" Julian Arias, Stamford High School

"My school is planning to have each grade wear a color of the rainbow for the Day of Silence. Also, e-mails about LGBT history and allies will be sent out to all the members of the school community. After the Day of Silence, we're going to have a Breaking the Silence event that includes an LGBT-themed movie. At my last school, we had problems with people who misrepresented themselves as Day of Silence participants to avoid classwork. At my current school, a mandatory meeting is held so that the whole school is aware of where participants can sign up ahead of time for the Day of Silence; the list is then distributed to teachers so they know who will be participating. I've seen GSA presidents and long-time participants who couldn't effectively explain the campaign, so being able to explain why the day is significant is very helpful. Also, make sure the day is educational for everyone at the school and not simply a stunt. Raising awareness prior to the event is crucial to ensuring the safety of all participants." 

Gil Borrino, Watkinson School