Saline students, residents participating in national LGBT 'Day of Silence'
The Saline City Council voted Monday to approve a “Day of Silence” in the city on Friday.
The proclamation encourages citizens to promote a safe and welcoming environment for students and citizens and to stop the discrimination, harassment and abuse in Saline schools and community for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.
It was unanimously approved without comment on the City Council’s consent agenda.
Last year, the City Council approved a proclamation that named June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride (LGBT) Month by a unanimous vote. The proclamation was requested by a community group called Et al, which caused a bit of controversy in the community.
At the time of its approval last year, Saline Mayor Gretchen Driskell said she hoped that it would serve as a way to fight “prejudice and discrimination in our own lives and everywhere it exists.”
In 2010, Saline Community Schools looked at changes in its non-discrimination policies, but decided against adding the words "sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression."
This Friday’s “Day of Silence” is a national event bringing attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools.
Students who choose to participate plan to take a vow of silence in an effort to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem by “illustrating the silencing effect of bullying and harassment on LGBT students and those perceived to be LGBT,” according to the proclamation.
Some students at Saline High School plan to join other students across the country in observing this “Day of Silence.”
“At the end of the day, by breaking the silence, we promote an opportunity to educate and bring awareness to the Saline community regarding LGBT issues and reaffirm Saline as a welcoming and desirable place for all LGBT individuals and their families,” the proclamation states.
Lisa Allmendinger is a regional reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at lisaallmendinger@annarbor.com. For more Saline stories, visit our Saline page.
Comments
BhavanaJagat
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 4:54 p.m.
A SIGN OF IGNORANCE : I would like to intellectually comprehend the purpose of this "Day of Silence." I would be happy if any of our readers tell me as to how observing "Silence'" would accomplish its purpose of defeating intolerance, discrimination, and bigotry. The purpose of education and the goal of learning is that of giving the ability to think for oneself. When a student is challenged by a question, the teacher would not accept an attitude of dignified silence and would rather prefer the student to answer the question. If the student answers, the first concern of the teacher would be to know if the student has understood the question that is asked. There is no problem solving without knowing the nature of the problem. So, we need to share our understanding of the problem before providing an answer to the problem. If there is this problem of discrimination that involves the gender identity, gender role and gender related behavior, the student must begin with an understanding of self-identity. When each of us understand the true or real self, we get an oppportunity to project the true or real self in formulation of our interactions and relationships with others. This attitude and behavior of 'Silence' speaks of ignorance of understanding the nature of the problem for which we need a solution. If discrimination is the 'thesis', its 'antithesis' would be acceptance and the new 'synthesis' would be peace, harmony, and tranquility. To demonstrate the 'antithesis' called acceptance, I would begin with Self-Love, and I would Love myself for what I am.
Superior Twp voter
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 4:10 a.m.
News? Nope. Only because "they" want/hope to make it "news."
Chase Ingersoll
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:05 p.m.
I don't know how these events escape sending the message that the community has a bunch of haters, or that the community has a bunch of people who perceive themselves as victims. Or, is this just an event for people to get their name in the media? Regardless of your orientation or beliefs, just be as attractive as you can be and as open minded, curious and defending of others beliefs, and they might actually be defending of yours and like you, even if their personal beliefs are very different. Just go and be the best of your ability, like Jackie Robinson, or Richard Pryor. Racists wanted Jackie to be all about being black. Jackie was about a quality human being that lived up to the best of his ability. He won. Despite being illegitimate, poor, black and having drug problems, Richard's communication in the form of comedy about the interaction between people of different social classes and race, caused a generation of rednecks and bros to see the humor in themselves, rather than scorn toward each other. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg9fKFmtU3E Chase Ingersoll
Unusual Suspect
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:59 a.m.
What happens if during the day of silence a teacher asks you a question? I know in Ann Arbor the teacher would be labeled as a bigot, but I'm wondering what would happen in the real world.
Mike
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:44 a.m.
This is really happening in Saline?
The Black Stallion3
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:39 a.m.
Amazing !!!!