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The Coalition for Safer Schools of NYS, PO Box 2345, Malta, NY 12020
Email to: saratogany@aol.com

"The Actual or Perceived GLBT Student Protection Project"

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This message has been distributed as a free informational service for the expressed interest of non-profit research and educational purposes only.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES
Contact person: Chloe Palenchar, Co-Chair, dayofsilence@hotmail.com

DAY OF SILENCE PROJECT SEEKS DoSP 2000 PARTICIPANTS

Thursday, March 15, 2000-- On April 5, 2000, thousands of students at high schools and colleges across the United States and Canada will stay silent, passing out cards advocating for queer equality rather than speaking. These students will be participating in the Day of Silence.

The purpose of the Day of Silence is to create a visible, "audible" silence to protest the oppression forced upon lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. It also hopes to offer educational tools and dialogue devoted to ending the silence by organizing post-event forums and breaks. Participation in the event has grown exponentially from a single campus in 1996 into an international effort. In 1999, there were over 200 schools that participated.

Chloe Palenchar, Co-Chair of DoSP, comments: "This event is growing because people really find it to be an effective organizing tool. After the event last year, I received some truly joyous emails from school coordinators that had great experiences."

The Day of Silence Project Team is composed of volunteer youths from across the country who are dedicated to fighting for queer rights. They provide a framework to help individual schools and organizations participate in the Day of Silence Project. From helpful hints on organizing to a pat on the back when the going gets tough, DoSP staff work to ensure participants get the most out of the day.

If you or your school are interested in participating or learning more about the project, please contact Chloe Palenchar, Co-Chair, at dayofsilence@hotmail.com. Also, please refer to our homepage at http://www.youth-guard.org/dayofsilence/

Day of Silence Project is a non-profit, youth-run organization that helps high schools and colleges in the United States and Canada to organize a Day of Silence at their school. Day of Silence Project aims to recognize and combat the silencing of the GLBT community throughout history and today.

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