Ally Week: Supporting Silent Solidarity

By SARAH ALKHAFAJI ‘20

GASP hosted a number of events throughout this past Ally Week including activities such as bracelet-making, a Q&A panel, a Friday night showing of Love Simon, and, ultimately, today’s Day of Silence.

The Day of Silence serves as a day for allies to reflect on the lives of members of the LGBTQ+ community. “All groups and minorities know what it’s like to be silenced,” says GASP co-head Kendelle Grubbs ‘20 “whether oppression be based on race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, the Day of Silence should concern more than just the LGBT community,” and GASP worked to unite the community through these events which were, in many ways, “like community bonding activit[ies],” says Sophia Hack ‘21.

GASP faculty advisory, emily bargar spoke a bit towards Milton’s history with the Day of Silence. The event started at Milton over a decade ago, but the school has has seen growing levels of participation over time. More people have felt comfortable participating in the day of silence now than they did a decade ago.

According to Ms. Bargar, GASP hands out roughly a hundred or so stickers to those who wish to participate, “but [they don’t] keep track.” In the past, students would have to sign up in advance so that GASP could email the teachers notifying them about who was participating ahead of time. However, that tradition ended before Ms. Bargar became an advisor so that more students, if they chose to, could participate last minute. “It’s unfortunate that most participants are usually members of the LGBTQ+ community, but it  doesn’t defeat day’s the purpose altogether,” says Grubbs. No matter when they choose to join, all participation is important for the LGBTQ+ community. Hack explained that when she was in Milton’s Middle School, “it felt good to see support from a lot of my classmates on the day of silence. For someone that was still in the closet at the time, that support really helped me feel empowered within my community.” Students unable to partake in full in today’s Day of Silence (whether because of class presentations or group projects), still have the opportunity to stand in solidarity. “I’m hosting an exchange student from England today,” says Avery Miller ‘20 “but I will do my best to stand in solidarity even though I can’t fully participate in the event.”

Image Courtesy of Google Images