From: UfmccHq Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 20:56:06 EST Subject: NEWS RELEASE: National Day of Silence Announced for April 8, 1998 Dear Editor: We are dependent upon friends such as yourself to promote the National Day of Silence. Thank you for your help in getting the word out. N E W S R E L E A S E MARCH 11, 1998 For Immediate Release OVER 100 HIGH SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN 1998 NATIONAL DAY OF SILENCE CONTACTS: Phone: David Mariner, Advocates for Youth 202-347-5700 Email: Jessie Gilliam, Co-chair, National Day of Silence jmg8r@virginia.edu Maria Pulzetti, Co-chair, National Day of Silence mkp6n@virginia.edu CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA -- The National Day of Silence, the largest national (US) lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (lgbt) awareness event run by and for youth, will take place on April 8, 1998. Already more than 100 high schools, colleges and universities have signed on to participate. The first Day of Silence was held at the University of Virginia in April 1996 and has since spread nationwide. On the National Day of Silence, supporters of lgbt rights take a nine-hour vow of silence (8 AM - 5 PM) to draw attention to the silence that homophobia causes. Instead of speaking, participants hand out cards that read: "Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights. People who are silent today believe that laws and attitudes should be inclusive of people of all sexual orientations. The Day of Silence is to draw attention to those who have been silenced by hatred, oppression, and prejudice. Think about the voices you are not hearing. What can you do to end the silence?" After the silence hours, organizers hold events to further educate people about homophobia and other lgbt issues. The National Day of Silence is organized by a volunteer staff of full time students. Jessie Gilliam and Maria Pulzetti, co-chairs of the event, are featured in the "Profile in Courage" in the March issue of Oasis Magazine (www.oasismag.com). They have also been invited to appear as keynote speakers at Youth Pride Day in Washington, D.C. on April 18. National Day of Silence Co-chair Maria Pulzetti comments, "I have watched this event grow from a first-time event at a conservative university to a national and even international movement of youth working to end homophobia. The strength of this event lies in the fact that it fills a real need for solidarity among youth concerned about lgbt rights. The National Day of Silence is the only national event created and organized by youth. The collective statement we make is staggering." The National Day of Silence has received organizational endorsements from the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN), Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC), Advocates for Youth, !OutProud!, And Justice for All, and Youth Guardian Services. If you or someone you know attends a school, college, or youth group and would like to participate in the National Day of Silence, please contact your regional coordinator (see web page, http://www/youth-guard.org/ndos) or send e-mail inquiries to mkp6n@unix.mail.virginia.edu -------------------------- Maria Katherine Pulzetti University of Virginia mkp6n@unix.mail.virginia.edu http://www.youth-guard.org/ndos "We solemnly vow that there should never be another season of silence until we have the same rights everywhere on this green Earth." --Elizabeth Cady Stanton, 1881 (END)