The GSA club at SHS is participating in the day of (No) Silence with their goal to use their silence to speak out. Advisor Sophia Viglione gives insight on the event and what GSA is standing for in the interview below. Club president Cris Walters gives their thoughts in the video below.
Q: What inspired you to be the adviser of GSA (Gay Straight Alliance Club)?
A: I started a GSA at my last school, so that was my first introduction to one by starting one with my coworker Ben. And I think ultimately there needs to be spaces where people feel supported and safe to explore who they are. I think that teenagers are at an intersection of childhood and adulthood, and every teen is trying to figure out who they are, regardless of talking about sexuality or gender. But specifically thinking about that, I think that people need that space. There is research that shows that just having a GSA at a school, even if students aren’t involved in it, decreases LGBTQ+ students risk of suicidal ideation and self harm. So, I think that even if they’re not involved in GSA, we are holding that space for others who aren’t ready to join us, and that could save lives.
Q: What is the Day of (No) Silence?
A: It is a national day of remembrance for those who have lost their lives in order to gain LGBTQ+ freedoms and rights. And also, to call attention to the erasure of LGBTQ+ people which is more timely now in some ways than ever– there are lots of laws in Ohio that affect LGBTQ+ students specifically, such as transgender and non-bianary people. So, it is a protest calling attention to all of those societal issues but also to inspire people who don’t yet have the courage to come out. Kind of just holding that space for them and setting an example that the community won’t back down.
Q: Has SHS participated in this event before? Why/why not?
A: We have, even before I was the adviser here. This is my second year as the GSA adviser at SHS, and they have been doing it since before I came here, but we’re really trying to be loud about it this year. I think that there is somewhat of an attack on LGBTQ+ people, and I think that the fight feels more relevant to students in GSA right now. They want as many people involved as possible, so more people hearing it is our goal to not step down.
Q: How do you think this day affects students personally?
A: We have a meeting in the morning, and we also gather again in the afternoon. So, students come, and they take that vow of silence, and then in the afternoon they break it. And we discuss what that experience was like, and it’s usually really powerful for many students. We have a pride pin for every student that’s going to be involved and a pass explaining their protest. And I think that they get to feel like they are taking a step in civil protest and that is super important as being a citizen of a nation, of a state, of a community and feeling like you know how to take a stand, how to make a point in a safe way. And I think it can just be really inspirational.
Q: Is this something that you would like SHS to continue?
A: Yeah, I think so. Our parent organization is GLSEN [Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network] — this is something that they are supportive of as well, and we want to follow their lead, but I think ultimately we don’t want the LGBTQ+ community to be erased, it can’t be. I think it needs to stay strong, and our GSA club can be a model of that.
