LGBTQiA2S+ Day of Silence

With legislators and facist parents banning any book that affirms the existence of LGBTQi2S+ youth in schools, preventing these kids from receiving healthcare, and targeting vulnerable members of the community – this observance grows more and more important each year.

I have no magic tricks to get young kids to stay silent for 30 seconds, never mind a day. But I just wanted you to know about this, in case you have older kids who are interested in participating. From GLSEN:

“The GLSEN Day of Silence is a national student-led demonstration where LGBTQ students and allies  all around the country—and the world—take a vow of silence to protest the harmful effects of harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ people in schools.”

“Started in the mid 90’s by two college students, the Day of Silence has expanded to reach hundreds of thousands of students each year. Every April, students go through the school day without speaking, ending the day with Breaking the Silence rallies and events to share their experiences during the protest and bring attention to ways their schools and communities can become more inclusive.”

When is it?

• April 23rd on the Gregorian calendar

Read

• Our Rainbow (ages 1+)
• Jacob’s Room to Choose (ages 5+)
• Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag (ages 4+)

R2’s School drawing with nonbinary, trans, and rainbow pride flag

Parenting is Praxis:

1. 1. If you have openly LGBTQiA2S+ friends who are interested in sharing (do not pressure!) – ask them what actions you could take to help them feel safer at school.
   2. If they want to tell you – listen when they tell you about their experiences about feeling unsafe and unwelcome at school. It helps just to be heard and believed sometimes.

Kid-Designed Action: Advocate & Normalize Gender Diversity in your school

Designed by a gender-creative nonbinary kiddo who had been picked on in the bathroom and wanted to spread acceptance for bathroom choice:

1. 1. Do a web search with the kids to learn more about the different types and evolution of pride flags.
   2. Create posters to hang in your home or classroom that advocate for the safety and welcoming of all LGBTQiA2S+ kiddos.
   3. Ask a local leader if they are willing to hang your poster in school, city hall, church, etc. near the bathrooms.
   4. Discuss what you can do to help LGBTQiA2S+ kids feel welcomed as their whole selves in school, and how to create safer/braver spaces where they can speak up about their experiences.

Family-Action: Support LGBTQiA2S+ Representation in Kidlit

“Last year was a challenging year for our indie press and the larger LGBTQIA+ community and the bans and coordinated attacks on our community have only continued to intensify this year.”

“That’s why we feel it ‘s important for us to get this book out NOW. The Gender & Infinity Book for Kids is a remedy-based framework. It roots resilience deep in the power of nature, and helps heal the impact of gender oppression and preempt its internalization.”

Share the campaign page for Reflection Press’s efforts to create better LGBTQiA2S+ kidlit, and donate if you can.

More resources to dig deeper

• Kids Stories on LGBTQiA2S+ History
• 6 Kids Books For Trans Day of Resilience, plus more Transgender Representation & Resilience for Kids
• Beyond the Binary: Why We Need Gender Creative Characters In Kidlit
• Queer Rainbow Children’s Books By Indigenous, Black & Brown Authors
• Love Is Love Is Love – Diverse Family Constellations In Kids Books
• The Trevor Project offers has text, phone, and chat options for young LGBTQ+ people in crisis.