The National Day of Silence is quickly approaching and thousands of schools and students are expected to participate across the US.  

On April 25th, 2008, students will maintain silence for either a period of the day or the entire day and hand out printed cards in an effort to end bullying, discrimination, and harassment of queer youth.

This year Day of Silence is being held in memory of Lawrence King, the eighth grader from E.O. Green Middle School who was shot by fellow classmate Brandon McInerney for asking to Brandon to be his valentine.

For 2008, the printed cards will contain the following text:

“Silent for Lawrence King: Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day Of Silence, a national youth movement bringing attention to the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment. This year’s DOS is held in memory of Lawrence King, a 15-year-old student who was killed in school because of his sexual orientation and gender expression. I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward building awareness and making a commitment to address these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today.”