Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) applaud everyone who is taking part in today’s National Day of Silence, coordinated nationally by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).  The Day of Silence  is a day in which students from around the country take a vow of silence to bring attention to the anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) name-calling, bullying and harassment faced in schools by students, teachers and other school staff.    

The National Day of Silence started at the University of Virginia 14 years ago.  Over 500,000 students from over 8,000 junior and high schools in all 50 states and Puerto Rico have participated in the National Day of Silence in past years.

Congressman Engel introduced H.Con.Res. 40, with 38 co-sponsors, to support the goals and ideals of the National Day of Silence.  Congresswoman Baldwin is one of the original co-sponsors.  According to a recent GLSEN National School Climate Survey, nearly nine out of ten LGBT students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment at school and nearly 30 percent report missing at least one day of school in the last month for fear of their personal safety.

“Sadly, violence and discrimination against LGBT youth is all-too-common in American schools.  It is a national disgrace that students feel threatened in school simply because of their sexual orientation,” said Congressman Engel.  “As a former public school teacher, I am proud to introduce this resolution.  Americans need to know that thousands of children each day go to school deprived of a happy adolescence because of the insensitivity and cruelty shown by some fellow students, teachers, staff and parents.”

“Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students continue to face pervasive harassment and victimization in schools.  As students use their silence to demand safe schools, we in Congress must use our voices to support them,” said Congresswoman Baldwin, co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. 

According to a 2009 National School Climate Survey: 

• Nearly 85 percent of LGBT students have been verbally harassed at school in the past year because of their sexual orientation;
• Over 40 percent of LGBT students were physically harassed at school in the past year because of their sexual orientation;
• Over 60 percent of LGBT students reported that they felt unsafe in school; and
• Nearly 30 percent of LGBT students reported missing at least one entire school day in the last month because of safety concerns.

“The Day of Silence is a symbolic representation of the silencing effect young people across the country experience every day because of anti-LGBT bullying,” GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard said. “For far too long we as a nation have ignored the pervasive problem of anti-LGBT bullying. While we at GLSEN are working to improve the situation in schools for LGBT youth and those perceived to be LGBT, students across the country are coming together on the Day of Silence to say it needs to get better now.”

“The National Day of Silence brings an important focus to the bullying and name-calling that many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students have to endure while trying to attend school” said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign. “All students, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity, should be able to receive an education in a safe and supportive environment. We applaud Congressman Engel and Congresswoman Baldwin as they stand with LGBT students by recognizing this important day in Congress.”

“It is tragic to have any child suffer and what makes this worse is that it is completely preventable.  Bullying and harassment of LGBT students stems from ignorance and can only be repaired with education.  By helping other students, teachers, staff and parents understand the plight of LGBT students, we can help these students live a happier childhood and enable them to earn their education free from fear,” added Congressman Engel, who first introduced legislation highlighting the Day of Silence in 2002.

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