Day of Silence

April 12, 2024

This year, the Day of Silence theme is My Silence, My Story.

Day of Silence Virtual Guide & Resources***

Day of Silence IN-PERSON Guide & Resources***

History of the day

The National Day of Silence was first celebrated in April 1996. National Day of Silence was created by a student named Maria Pulzetti who wanted to make an impact on many people at schools and other places. Students organized the first event at the University of Virginia in 1996. In 1997, organizers took efforts to take the event to the national level, with almost 100 colleges and universities participating in them. In 2000, Pulzetti’s classmates and GLSEN National Student Organizer developed the proposal for the day to become an official project of GLSEN. And in 2001, the GLSEN became the official organizational sponsor with new funding, staff, and volunteers. GLSEN developed its first-ever student leadership team as part of the National Day of Silence. In the last several years, over 10,000 participants have registered their participation with GLSEN each year who are from middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities. They include students from the U.S.A. as well as students from all around the world.

This year, the Day of Silence theme is My Silence, My Story.

Where LGBTQ+ people in schools are often silenced and erased, this direct action is a reclamation of that forced silence and erasure. This time LGBTQ+ students and educators are choosing to be silent on their own accord and demonstrate the impact on the entire school community when LGBTQ+ people are silenced and erased.

GLSEN’s virtual participation resources will provide opportunities for student leaders to organize their day of action and engage in creative and impactful ways to tell their story especially in incorporating racial, gender, and disability justice. The purpose of these resources are to help students and educators participate, and support people virtually on campus, to take action and join this campaign on April 22, 2023.

Register to get the latest updates on Day of Silence resources and special opportunities like celebrity engagements. And don't forget to share on social media about GLSEN's Day of Silence, encouraging students and educators to register.