The Day of Silence, April 21st, is a day where students all over the United States are silent to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment at schools. It was founded in 1996 by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, or GLSEN, and has since become the biggest student-led action to better schools.

Although a participant can be silent before and after school, they cannot refuse to answer  teachers’ questions or the request to speak. The goal of the Day of Silence is to make schools a safer place for all students, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or identity.

Every year, since 1996 when this started, it has grown, and this year it has grown to hundreds of thousands of students and over 8000 schools. The day of silence will be April 21st and you can register online here (just to show how many people are really doing it) , or talk to adviser Wendy Kassler or any GSA member for more information.