Decorah High School Gay-Straight Alliance observes Day of Silence

Decorah High School's Gay-Straight Alliance (and Luther College's PRIDE) will be observing the National Day of Silence on Friday, April 20. The National Day of Silence is a day of action in which students across the country vow to take a form of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of  anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools.

Connor Edrington, Decorah High School senior, and co-president of the DHS Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) says he has seen significant growth in awareness since this event began. One major aspect of the day is that participating students remain silent during the day (unless called on in class). Edrington says that when students are silent, other students are naturally curious about why students are keeping silent and, in one way or another they find out – and therefore are educated regard the event purpose.

Edrington says there are about 40 members in the DHS GSA and that the vast majority of members are straight. He says that the week before the Day of Silence, there is peaked interest in the group and educational activities. He is also pleased that the group this year has branched out a bit to "community" efforts, including a visit to a local church and the middle school.

Tragically, Edrington adds that the day will be dedicated to a 14 year old Iowa teen, Kenneth Weishuhn,Jr.,from Primghar. Weishuhn recently "came out" and had been the victim of significant organized bullying in his high school. He committed suicide last Sunday.

Founded in 1996, the Day of Silence has become the largest single
student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of
sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. From the
first-ever Day of Silence at the University of Virginia in 1996 has grown
into over 8,000 middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities
across the country participating in 2008.

Although schools in Iowa and throughout the country have shown great
progress in establishing rights and reducing harassment and violence toward Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender youth, members of PRIDE and the Gay-Straight Alliance feel acceptance and equality are far from being realized in Decorah and throughout the country. Members of both organizations, as well as allies to each group, will show their allegiance though their silence throughout the day and by wearing stickers or buttons identifying their stance.