The Day of Silence has been an action of protest against bullying and harrasment of LGBT(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) students and their supporters. It has been an annual going-on since 1996. This year the Day of Silence is on April 17th. During this day, Students and teachers take a day-long vow of silence to symbolically represent the silencing of LGBT students and their supporters. Anyone who participates, supporters or LGBT's themsleves take an entire day to themselves and stay quite either during school, or work, or for even the whole day (except when a teacher calls on them). The national focus of DOS, is specific to ending bullying and harassment of students, particularly physical violence and verbal threats.
What I want you to do is pen me something about the Day of Silence. If you take part in it, write about it, how you feel, what you do, what you think other people say about it, etc. you're a neutral source, write about what you think of the other people doing it, or if you want to but you're afraid to be ridiculed, why? Write anything about it.
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There is ALSO a counter-action to the Day of Silence, called the Day of Truth. Starting in 2005, the Day of Truth encourages students to share with classmates their view that homosexuality is an undesirable behavior that can be changed. About 7000 students participated in the 2007 Day of Truth. If you take part in the Day of Truth, write about it. Why do you take part in it, what do you do during it, etc,. etc.. Just write about it.
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Rules:
1. No bashing, of any kind(Unless the poem calls for it, but please people, I don't want to see no one die)
2. Stick to the topic. I don't want this to lead into a make-out session of silence or truth.
3. No Dirty.Pretty
4. No emo, slicing of the wrists poems.
5. Prewrites are allowed as long as they stay on topic.
6. Have FUN!
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I have the right to DQ any poem I see unfit to this contest without a comment and I also have the right to close this contest if not enough entries are formed.
Points will go up, and this contest will end on April 17th, 2009. Just have fun.
What I want you to do is pen me something about the Day of Silence. If you take part in it, write about it, how you feel, what you do, what you think other people say about it, etc. you're a neutral source, write about what you think of the other people doing it, or if you want to but you're afraid to be ridiculed, why? Write anything about it.
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There is ALSO a counter-action to the Day of Silence, called the Day of Truth. Starting in 2005, the Day of Truth encourages students to share with classmates their view that homosexuality is an undesirable behavior that can be changed. About 7000 students participated in the 2007 Day of Truth. If you take part in the Day of Truth, write about it. Why do you take part in it, what do you do during it, etc,. etc.. Just write about it.
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Rules:
1. No bashing, of any kind(Unless the poem calls for it, but please people, I don't want to see no one die)
2. Stick to the topic. I don't want this to lead into a make-out session of silence or truth.
3. No Dirty.Pretty
4. No emo, slicing of the wrists poems.
5. Prewrites are allowed as long as they stay on topic.
6. Have FUN!
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I have the right to DQ any poem I see unfit to this contest without a comment and I also have the right to close this contest if not enough entries are formed.
Points will go up, and this contest will end on April 17th, 2009. Just have fun.
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on April 17
- Rewards: Gold: 400, Silver: 300, Bronze: 200, Honorable mention: 1 people
- Final notes: This was a very successful D.O.S. on my side of the universe. I was really sad that nobody for the Day of Truth entered. I would have liked to see their side of things. But oh, well I guess. Great job on these everyone. You should take a look at the winners each of them had something deep and very emotional going on with their rights.
Keep Quiet - Showed deep emotion, had great imagery that stays in your mind, memorable, and heart-wrenching
When Silence is Not Enough - Showed deep care for the Day of Silence, open minded, deep, emotional and filled with imagery
Day of Silence - Truthful and was deep. It really left this after-taste in your mind and a nice one at that.
Can you hear the Silence? - Asked open-minded questions that were deep and meaningful. Filled with imagery and had a great message.
I thank all of you in participating in my first annual Day of Silence Contest. Next D.O.S comes around I'll have another, mabye just like this, maybe different. I'd like to see more work from each of you, whether it be in more contests or jsut around. Again thanks for entering and good luck in all you do as poets and gay right activists.
Josh
Contest Winners
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whispers:
can you hear them ?• Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove] -
threats
violence• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
Let our silence echo through
Your forgotten memoriesby Lolitax3 19 lines, 2 comments, on Apr 16 7:00 PM. In Society, Day of Silence
Bronze trophy winner
• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Gold trophy winner
Silver trophy winner
Honorable mention
Entries [9]
1 - 9 of 9
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Obedience comes quite easily after awhile.
Do this...by Wings of Insanity 35 lines, 6 comments, on Aug 28 9:55 AM 2008• Commented on by judge. Prewrite -
The silence is growing
it's deafening my ears• Commented on by judge. -
The song of suicide steals too many hearts
Bleeding and broken from the impact of constant non verbal abuseby Writing0Freedom 31 lines, 9 comments, on Sep 27 11:48 PM 2008• Commented on by judge. Prewrite
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Comments
1 - 16 of 16
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Good Luck on your contest sweetie! loves ya!
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It might be an idea to explain what you are talking about. LGBT???? Day of Silence????
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I did explain what the Day of Silence was. LGBT stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender.
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why are you even acknowledging the "day of truth"? its just a frickin lie that was thought up by homophobes. a lot of my friends are either homosexual or bisexual, and a lot of them wish they weren't. they have no control over who they like.
its been proven that homosexuality is caused by an imbalance of hormones in the uterus during pregnancy (or at least that's one of the leading causes and theories). so if you're going to blame anyone, blame it on the mother for being biologically screwed up, not on the individuals. "truth" my ass. -
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I'm acknowledging it because it's there, and it's practice. And the whole thing where it's "imbalance" is just a theory. And it's not biological, if it was biological then there would be a whole line of gays in one family. I'm the only gay in my family so yeah.
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merrrrr it just pisses me the fuck off that religious nuts are allowed to denounce homosexuality when it really isn't a choice. my friends wouldn't be suffering if it were a choice. *grumbles*
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People twist the whole "freedom of speech" thing around. Really, that was made for freedom to have a say in politics and stuff like that. Now it's just twisted. It'll pass though, it's getting really old and alot of people that used to be all roar about it are just like, "omg, this is getting out of hand" and what not.
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you, my dear friend, are a complete and utter asshole. the only reason people regret their sexuality is because society has taught them they aren't good enough. and I don't see much proof in your theory, actually.
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It's society? All 100% society? So the reason my friend is upset that's she's a lesbian ISN'T because she doesn't believe she'll be in a relationionship? That because she's a lesbian she thinks she'll never be in love, due to how hard it is to find someone that meets her standards? Yes. That's society. Fuck off before you say anything. Kthnx.
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Nice contest idea. I have bookmarked this and hope you will like what I enter.
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This is a great contest, and I'm really glad that someone made one on here. Last year, I was going to make my own contest, but unfortunately, it didn't really work out. This year, I have been helping so much with our GSA get ready for Next Friday. Coincidentally, DoS falls on my birthday. ^_^;; Greatest of luck with your contest. And don't worry so much about the negative aspects many of the religious say about it. It's not worth your time trying to argue... to each his own. <3
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I think I love you for this.
I wrote this without knowing of this contest and I was browsing contests just in case...& perfect match =]
Yay for stickers and cards tmrw! -
I believe the day of silence this year is actually April 24. Maybe it differes by region or something.
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The Day of Silence website says April 17th.
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Props to you for this! I have participated in the DoS for 3 years now, and will continue doing so. I probably couldn't write anything for this, but hopefully you get some amazing entries.
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Thank you so much for the gold =)
It's my first success in quite a while, and I appreciate it more than I can put into words.
Congrats to the other winners
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1 - 16 of 16
