Every year, members and allies of the LGBT community pledge to remain silent for the entire day. Losing the ability to speak symbolizes the silence forced upon the LGBT community for fear of otherwise being judged or discriminated against. Participants in the Day of Silence become aware of the difficulties of not being able to say everything they wish. The silence is difficult for non-participants as well, for they soon want the silenced to have the ability to communicate back. At the end of the day, local communities hold a "Breaking the Silence" event, where everyone gathered screams and shouts and shares feelings and ways to end the silence.
More details on the 2009 Day of Silence will come as the spring semester kicks in.
National Day of Silence
For more information about the nation-wide celebration, visit http://www.dayofsilence.org/