For safety and equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning students and their allies

Whereas, The Day of Silence is a day on which students take a vow to remain silent for a full day in order to bring attention to the harassment and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) persons in schools; and,

Whereas, The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), in partnership with the United States Student Association, (USSA), and Triangle Foundation, has designated April 9th, 2003, as the Day of Silence in Michigan; and,

Whereas, In 2002, more than 150,000 students at more than 1,700 K-12 Schools nationwide and more than 8,000 students at 90 K-12 schools in Michigan participated in the Day of Silence; and,

Whereas, The 2001 GLSEN National School Climate Survey illustrates the pervasive harassment and victimization of LGBTQ students; and,

Whereas, More than 80 percent of LGBTQ students report being verbally harassed by their peers, and more than 40 percent of LGBTQ students report being physically assaulted by their peers because of their real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity; and,

Whereas, More than 80 percent of LGBTQ students report that faculty and staff rarely or never intervene when anti-LGBTQ harassment occurs; additionally, more than 30 percent of LGBTQ students report missing at least one entire school day in a given month because they feel unsafe; and,

Whereas, Unchecked harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression can hinder student achievement and have a negative impact on student academic performance; and,

Whereas, Every child, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, should be guaranteed an education free from discrimination and harassment; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim April 9, 2003, The Day of Silence in Michigan.