Today is Friday, April 12. Do you know why kids around the world have gone silent? Do you know why your friends aren’t (verbally) speaking to you? Are you tired of not getting answers to your questions? Well, in solidarity with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) youths across the world who have experienced numerous bouts of verbal harassment in schools, a multitude of people have taken a vow of silence in order to generate a change in how we treat marginalized people. So, how are they getting the important message across without speaking? Thanks to the accessibility of social media, videos across the world will be shared today with people saying absolutely nothing.
Joining in the #DayofSilence is ABC’s “General Hospital,” which on Tuesday shared a behind-the-scenes clip of actresses Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth Webber) and Cassandra James (Terry Randolph) on the set of Charlie’s Pub as they stared into the camera, uttering not a single word. The video is captioned with the note, “Nearly 80% of LGBTQ students experience verbal harassment in school. This silent video is in support of #LGBTQ youth and all those organizing the #DayofSilence on April 12th in their schools – we challenge you to make a video and tag 3 more friends!”
James, who is transgender in real-life and plays one on the soap said of her participation in the video, “I’m honored to join my friend and scene partner Rebecca Herbst for the GLSEN [Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network] #DayofSilence. To all the LGBTQ+ youth out there, see us with you today. Sending love and strength.”
Other ABC programs joining in the #DayofSilence via promos released this week were “Speechless,” “The View,” “Station 19,” and “American Housewife,” among others.
An annual event organized by the GLSEN, which has been a champion for LGBTQ issues in K-12 education since 1990, the #DayofSilence is a “student-led national event where folks take a vow of silence to highlight the silencing and erasure of LGBTQ people at school.”
To learn more about how you can participate and help make a change, click here.
Nearly 80% of LGBTQ students experience verbal harassment in school. This silent video is in support of #LGBTQ youth & all those organizing the #DayofSilence on 4/12 in their schools – we challenge you to make a video & tag 3 more friends! pic.twitter.com/WHnQ2zBGSD
— Speechless (@TV_Speechless) April 8, 2019
Nearly 80% of LGBTQ students experience verbal harassment in school. This silent video is in support of #LGBTQ youth and all those organizing the #DayofSilence on Friday, April 12th in their schools — we challenge you to make a video and tag 3 more friends! pic.twitter.com/iEYYPdQW9P
— The View (@TheView) April 8, 2019
Nearly 80% of LGBTQ students experience verbal harassment in school. This silent video is in support of #LGBTQ youth & all those organizing the #DayofSilence on 4/12 in their schools – we challenge you to make a video & tag 3 more friends! pic.twitter.com/m4oeHsn7xk
— Station 19 (@Station19) April 9, 2019
Nearly 80% of LGBTQ students experience verbal harassment in school. This silent video is in support of #LGBTQ youth & all those organizing the #DayofSilence on 4/12 in their schools – we challenge you to make a video & tag 3 more friends! pic.twitter.com/zxKRjjhqFT
— American Housewife (@AmericanWifeABC) April 11, 2019