Students, staff, and faculty rallied together to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community as North Harford’s Voices of Equity (VoE) encouraged their peers to take part in the Day of Silence. 

     In an effort to stand up against and denounce bullying and harassment that LGBTQ+ students and allies face, the members of VoE recognized the national day a day early to encourage in-person participation, taking a day-long vow of silence to represent how LGBTQ+ students and allies are silenced. 

     English educator Michael James explains that this was a student-driven event, as they made the choice to organize the event. Word was spread days in advance over social media, as Thursday morning came to be, the members of VoE were dedicated to their cause as posters were hung and stickers were handed out. 

     Students involved in VoE frequently meet to discuss a variety of topics surrounding injustice. Sophomore Andi Fetter, a member of VoE, further explains, “We planned it so people who weren’t just a part of our club, but our school could participate, recognizing that bullying and harassment does occur and that our voices matter. The Day of Silence represents queer voices that have been silenced and lost throughout history, and how we continue to be silenced by our society.” 

      This event started in the mid 90s as two college students organized an event that would later be recognized annually, expanding to reach hundreds of thousands of students. Throughout the Day of Silence, students remain silent until the end of the day during a Breaking the Silence event, in which members and allies share their experiences and educate their peers. An American education organization known as GLSEN (formerly the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) works to bring an end to discrimination, harassment, and bullying that the LGBTQ+ comminity endures, as they bring awareness to K-12 schools. 

      This year, students who remained in a virtual setting were able to participate as a Day of Silence background was spread through social media announcements. At North Harford, the day was started with a brief discussion about the reasoning behind the day and the expectations. 

     Later in the media center, a Breaking the Silence event was organized before students concluded their school day. “I am beaming with pride about how the event went. As I walked around the hallways, seeing so many students participating and supporting this day, I couldn’t help but feel hopeful for the future.” James expressed. 

       In discussing his organization’s event, James expresses that the day was recognized to show the solidarity and support of the North Harford High School community, including faculty, staff, and students. “Members of the LGBTQ+ community feel afraid to speak out; they feel unheard when they do. It is sad that school, a place where ideas should be shared and students should feel safe, is the complete opposite of that for the LGBTQ+ community. This student-driven effort sparked conversations and gave us all hope for the future,” he said.