A Loud Silence at Malibu High School

From: 7visions <7visions_at_prodigy.net_at_hypermail.org>
Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 23:20:01 -0700

Today, Apr 13, was established nationwide as a day of silent support for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people.

It was also observed at my school.

It just so happened that I subbed today for Sarah Bell, who is the faculty sponsor for the relatively new Gay/Straight Alliance on campus.

The students who were willing to take part in the act of not speaking were asked to wear little tags that explained to their teachers and peers the reasons that they were silent.

Recognizing the difficulty that teenagers have with this subject, Ms. Bell at most expected 20 or 30 kids to come to her room to get the tag to wear. Maybe, just maybe, she could hope for 50. After all, there are only about six or seven members of the Gay/ Straight Alliance.

To everyone's astonishment, nearly 300 kids asked for the tags by day's end!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a remarkable accomplishment. I want to happily scream to the world...

I am SOOOO proud of my kids!!!!!!!!!

Mr. Shaw

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Received on 2005-04-13 23:18:10