Image National Day of Silence to
be Held in Record 6,000 Schools on Friday

Students from a record 6,000 middle and high schools have registered as participants in GLSEN's 12th annual National Day of Silence on Friday to bring attention to anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. The event is being held this year in memory of Lawrence King, a 15-year-old from Oxnard, Calif., who was shot and killed in school on Feb. 12 because of his sexual orientation and gender expression.

Hundreds of thousands of students from middle school to college are expected to participate.

"Young people from across the country have heard about this horrible tragedy and are coming together on the Day of Silence to show their support for safe schools for all students," said Kevin Jennings, executive director of GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, the event's national sponsor. "The Day of Silence brings hope to hundreds of thousands of students that their schools and their world can be safer and more tolerant places."

Students from the University of Virginia created the Day of Silence in 1996. GLSEN became national sponsor in 2001.

Lawrence King's murder has brought renewed attention to the bullying problem in schools, prompting former 'N Sync singer Lance Bass to film a PSA about the Day of Silence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah5eUz6iT9s&;feature=related).

"I am honored to help raise awareness about the National Day of Silence on April 25," Bass said. "This year's event is particularly important because of the recent murder of 15-year-old Lawrence King. Every student deserves to feel safe in school, and I hope my name and voice can help inspire others to support this cause."
Learn more at https://www.dayofsilence.org.

About GLSEN

GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established nationally in 1995, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. For more information on our educator resources, research, public policy agenda, student organizing programs or development initiatives, visit https://www.glsen.org.