The Day of Silence, held on April 11th with approximately 30 participants, was a powerful and unifying event, with many students wearing black and taking a vow of silence to show their support for the LGBTQIA+ community. The day culminated in the Breaking of the Silence ceremony, where we were honored to welcome Franca Roibal Fernández, PhD—an esteemed decolonist and DEI practitioner—as our guest speaker. Her words resonated deeply with attendees and helped set a meaningful tone for the event. LGBTQIA+ students and allies came together to connect, enjoy delicious student-made treats, and relax with the help of a friendly service dog from the Bright and Beautiful agency, making the atmosphere both celebratory and healing. Members of the GSA and attendees shared speeches, poems, and songs. The event was a great success, and we’re already looking forward to what’s in store for next year. 

The Day of Silence was a nationally recognized demonstration started in the mid-1990s, led by college students to protest against the harmful effects of discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in schools. Every April, students would go through the day without speaking, and then break it to bring attention to their schools and communities to push for inclusivity.

If anyone is interested in joining the Mendham GSA should reach out to Ms. Gillmett ([email protected]) and/or attend one of our meetings held on Thursdays at lunch in room 133. All are welcome! We are hoping to expand our club and reach a larger audience for the 2025-26 school year!