Since 1996, high school and college students have united every April to protest against homophobia. This protest, the National of Day of Silence, entails an entire school day of silence, acknowledging the many gay youths who remain silent as a result of the fear and anxiety brought upon by intolerance.

This protest, started at the University of Virginia by a student, Maria Pulzetti, consisted of 150 students participating in the silent protest. The following year, Pulzetti teamed up with then 19-year-old Jessie Gilliam to make the protest so that it would be done at campuses across the country, thus making it the National Day of Silence. Nearly 100 campuses participated that year, and as time went on the number of schools and participants escalated, especially at the high school level. In 2008,

The Day of Silence played an incredible role in the gay rights movement in the 90s, but now, especially in the aftermath of Prop 8, it’s time activists come up with a more proactive demonstration.

Having been a participant in the Day of Silence since high school, I know the amount of dedication it takes to remain silent. Nasty peers eviscerate you mentally—and although I haven’t experienced it, physically—for taking a stand. Some teachers think you’re participating in the event with the intention of getting out of participating in class, and therefore treat you like a delinquent. The rest are confused and trying to understand the point of another day of silence.