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This is one of the saddest stories I have posted to my blog in many ways. From my perspective, as an adult today, this is exactly why we must all, gay or straight, liberal or conservative work to pass adequate anti-discrimination, and hate-crimes legislation everywhere, and at every level of government.

As an adult, I may be discriminated against- but I have some resources to deal with it. Our youth are not nearly as lucky. Children need and deserve our care and protection. The purpose of the day of Silence is to draw attention to the violence and abuse young people endure because they are perceived to be gay or lesbian. They might even be straight, but if they are perceived as gay, they are often the recipients of horrific bullying and abuse.

I was one of the lucky ones when I was in school. While I’m sure kids thought I was weird, I always had a girlfriend through junior high and early high school and I had if not a lot of friends, a lot of aquaintences who thought highly of me. But I was lucky. Not all students were. I remember in the 8th grade, and incident where boys forced another boy to perform oral sex in the band instrument storage room while a large group of students jeered and watched and tormented the boy.  He was not a good friend, but yet someone I knew. He never returned to school. The message that I and others received was don’t give anyone the opportunity to accuse you of being gay.

Even though my experiences didn’t include this type of bullying, my youth was marred by a suicide attempt. At 16 I tried to end my life. While I didn’t recognize myself as gay, my fear that I wasn’t normal, and never would be like the other guys was a major force behind that attempt. These are the fears, worries, and turmoil that many young people live with every day.

In my first full-time teaching position after college, I had a male student who came from a horrific home situation. He was the recipient of much bullying and problems. He was frequently called faggot and fairy, and I doubt to this day that he was any of that. He was juast a kid who had no friends, no social skills, and no familial support or care. I often wonder what happened to Tony and how he go on with his life after he graduated from my program.

Those who oppose the Day of silence add to the trauma with such statements as this:

“This day is not about ‘tolerance’ as it claims, but about forcing propaganda and acceptance of high-risk behavior into the schools with no opposing views allowed,” said Linda Harvey of Mission America, which also supports the walkout.

Laurie Higgins of the Illinois Family Institute said that while “all of civilized society must oppose bullying,” she opposes the “illegitimate means of using public education to affirm volitional homosexual behavior.”

When I was in 7th grade or 8th grade- the notion of homosexuality could not have been farther from my mind. All I knew was that I was different, I didn’t even know how I was different exactly, but I feared what it would mean if others found out that I was different.

Call bigotry by its name. Help end violence and bullying of our youth, by supporting the Day of silence and speaking out against all who oppose it.

Students Encouraged to Skip School on ‘Day of Silence’| Christianpost.com.