Dozens of Booker T. Washington High School students took a vow of silence for the day.
They participated in the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s Day of Silence.
"It's kind of like a silent protest ... for, like, reverence to the people who are actually silenced by people constantly harassing them, people having to hide who they are, people who — people who aren't safe to be themselves," said senior Logann Little.
Day of Silence has been a national event for 18 years. GLSEN says 90 percent of LGBT teens experience verbal, physical or sexual harassment at school.
Around 50 students at Booker T. Washington participated. Junior Jerekah Green said they do have to respond if a teacher calls on them.
"But at the school, most teachers are completely, completely happy to skip over us today, because they know what we stand for and they care about it," Green said. "And they stand for the same thing."
Junior Megan Sayler said while teachers are understanding, for everyone else there’s a card.
"Please understand my reasons for not speaking today," Sayler read from a card. "I am participating in the Day of Silence, a national youth movement bringing attention to the silencing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other students who identify on the queer spectrum caused by peer bullying.
"Raising awareness of this issue is the first step toward making schools a safer, more inclusive place for every student."
Many students who didn’t remain silent for the day wore purple to show support.
GLSEN encourages students to get administrators’ support before participating.
