Labeled as homophobic because I don't support the Day of Silence event

I am a public school teacher. In our school we have an organization called the GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) which has high participation as it is an organization not of separatism but of understanding and alliance amongst the variety of individuals in our school community. We do have students who participate in the day of silence, but it has never been something promoted in the way you describe that individual just trying to get people to sign up. Rather, students go to GSA and initiate the sign up on their own. Sounds like the organizers at your school might should consider their approach to the day of silence. I have never found the day in any way disruptive of my teaching or my students' learning. The sponsors of the day do make it clear to participants that if that day happens to fall on a day where verbal participation in a requirement for an assignment (for instance, a class presentation), they should not use participation as a way of not do their necessary school work. It has NEVER been a problem.

I do hear a great deal of lack of information and awareness coming through in you letter, and I suspect you don't even see it in what you have written, but others on this thread have pointed many of those issues out to you.

As a teacher who has personally lost students to suicide because they were struggling with issues of their own sexual orientation, sexuality, gender orientation, I greatly empathize with the work to increase awareness and reduce the discrimination and stigma that are constant roadblocks for these students. Quite honestly, I am proud that I work in a school that allows students to discuss and work toward causes of a wide variety: LGBT, race, culture, mental illness, physical disability, physical illness -- our students get involved in many. It can be done respectfully and educationally without it in any way becoming disruptive -- I witness that on a daily basis. But it does take adult sponsorship to help guide and supervise these activities in a very positive and respectful direction.

I do not see your article as in any way respectful. You feel wronged, so you are creating another wrong. Sometimes in life we have to just agree to disagree and not let the name-calling and justifying (on both sides) take over. I would suggest this be an exercise just for yourself and let it be.

We don't have to all believe in the way certain causes are demonstrated. For me, the cause that is irritating is pink-out week/day for breast cancer. I have two sisters who had breast cancer; one who passed away because of that dreaded disease. Interestingly enough, the sister who died did support the whole pink campaign, but my sister who survived does not. She feels it trivializes and commercializes breast cancer "awareness" and ignores the thousands of men who deal with and die from breast cancer each year. I tend to agree with her; it is lip services to a much larger, much more devastating disease. Does that mean I get upset when my students or friends wear pink that week? No. They believe in what they are doing and I can respect that. I simply just don't wear pink that week and go on about my life. I don't have to protest or argue or complain about their desire to express their support for something they believe in.

Write your article for yourself. Take some time to really research the statistics regarding bullying, discrimination, and suicide rates within the LGBT community. Find that place where you can have confidence in your own beliefs without feeling the need to justify and defend yourself.

I personally don't like labels and/or extremes on either side of any issue, but for those interested in what this day is actually all about, here 'tis:

FAQs

Like most organizations, it most likely started out with good intentions - but for some reason something about the road to hell being paved in good intentions comes to mind ...

Sincerely,
Pfrog!

My daughter was a president of gay straight transgender etc alliance which was 10 years ago but I recall they did day of silence. Same as lolagrace I am a public high school teacher ( to be precise special Ed teacher), we don't have such alliance as we are rather small school but we have openly gay and few transgender children and our community is very tolerant and aware. Heck even my special education students who might have some cognitive limitations know that being gay is neither a choice nor life style etc your views shock me.

I previously taught in inner city in a very religious community yet everyone was very tolerant and we did have an alliance that Lola mentioned.

Your extreme views are kind of surprising to me as typically nowadays 17-year olds don't have such lack of awareness. As someone mentioned perhaps it's extreme right wing upbringing to blame as I refuse to believe you mean to be deliberately offensive etc I am not sure. Hopefully as you grow and learn and become more aware.

As about participating you absolutely do not have to!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have a young friend who is gay and he opposes the local Gay Pride Parade. He doesn't attend it intentionally. That doesn't make him homophobic, it makes him unsupportive. If you don't go to an event, it doesn't mean anything. Other people can't create meaning for you. They can interpret your non support any way they want, that doesn't make it true. It's true only in their heads.

Now, you may be homophobic, that's an entirely different issue. I didn't read your entire original post, I just read about the non-attendance part and the letter you wanted to submit. Let's say you are homophobic, you're not the first and you won't be the last. AND you won't be converted from being homophobic on a forum. It's just not that simple. If you are not homophobic, then you have nothing to defend yourself against. If you are, perhaps that will change one day. I seriously doubt anyone is going to be converted from being homophobic on a forum like this.

That kid was rude and name calling is a form of bullying. Take this issue up with your school administrators.
When I was in schools we didn't have a GSA or a day of silence. We had Christian Athletes Association that prayed before every practice and every morning before school in the middle of the courtyard. Why were they shoving that in my face?! Oh, wait...they were supporting one another and their connection with their beliefs. It had nothing to do with me. Just like the day of silence has nothing to do with you if you choose not to participate. The kids participating are gaining support from each other that may be severely needed by some of them.
My advice? Report the bully, burn the letter to burn off your anger and go on about your life being nice and participating in what you see fit for yourself. Though it is not your cup of tea, this event could pull someone struggling with their identity back from the brink of self destruction.

*~*moonlitwish*~*