Day of Silence is a youth movement protesting the silence caused by harassment, prejudice, and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their allies. 

 By keeping silent for the day, you are fighting these injustices.

 What are YOU doing to end the silence?

 Come to the Teen Room at the Central Library to sign our banner with messages of hope, love, and encouragement. Show your support by wearing a DOS sticker as well. The two teen librarians, Mary and Anna will be participating in the day by staying silent on and off all day. While one is silent, the other will be available to answer questions and help patrons find the books and information they need. Then they will switch. Consider joining them in their effort to stand with the silent.

The following poem was written today for our Catharsis Through Poetry workshop while thinking about Day of Silence. It was written by an LGBTQ ally who wishes to remain anonymous.

“Love Who You Love”

Injustice.

It happens everyday.

Must I wear this

Rainbow shirt

To show I care?

Can’t we all

Just get along?

You can’t tell me

Who I am

Who to love.

Am I man?

Am I woman?

Or something

In-between?

Do I love her?

Him?

Hän?

Does it matter?

No.

Love who you love.

Be who you are.

*Hän is a gender neutral pronoun in Finnish.

Your Teen Librarians here at Copley have pledged to  make everyone feel comfortable regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and are participating by switching off every other hour so there is always someone here to help you! The easiest way to tell which one of us is participating in any given hour is by the book binding tape we’ll be wearing over our mouths.

What are YOU doing to end the silence faced by many bullied LGBTQ teens? Here in the Teen Room we still have a few t-shirts left from yesterday, so feel free to stop by and create a shirt in support of Day Of Silence and LGBTQ youth.

We also have free wristbands, stickers, and PostIt notes explaining the reason why you chose to take the vow of silence today.

And, at 2pm we’re showing the movie RENT! There will be food available too!

If you’re on twitter, feel free to follow @dayofsilence!  And make sure you put #dayofsilence in your posts!

What is DOS? “On the National Day of Silence hundreds of thousands of students nationwide take a vow of silence to bring attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in their schools. 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.” - Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (www.GLSEN.org)

What are we doing for DOS this year? Come to the Teen Room at Copley the afternoon before (Thursday, April 15th @ 3pm) to collect stickers, wrist bands, and PostIt notes explaining why you’ve chosen to take a vow of silence in preparation of DOS. Also in preparation we will have t-shirts for your own designing fun to show off your LGBTQ PRIDE and SUPPORT all day Friday.

On April 16th we will be showing the awesome Broadway Musical (turned movie) RENT at 2pm.

Why have DOS only in schools? Your local teen librarians here at Copley are participating. What about YOU?