Participating in the Day of Silence while social distancing

Despite the COVID-19 situation, the Allyhood Action Committee at Michigan Engineering is organizing ways to support the LGBTQA+ community in honor of the Day of Silence again this year. Since 1996, the day has been held in April to spread awareness about the effects of the bullying and harassment against the LGBTQA+ community.

At home, many are spending more time online working or continuing coursework, as well as staying in touch with family, colleagues and friends on social media. To support the LGBTQA+ community online ahead of the Day of Silence on April 24, the Allyhood Action Committee has tips to show solidarity online:

• Changing your social media account profile picture to the Human Rights’ equality symbol, as a sign that you can be reached out to safely.
• Use one of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) custom backgrounds during your next video chat with friends, family and the UM community.
• Continuing to introduce yourself with your gender pronouns, both virtually and in person, to support those who identify as gender nonconforming (i.e., neither male nor female).

Then, on Friday, April 24, you can also join us in breaking the silence by:

• Revisiting this page to read monologues on the intersectionalities between STEM and LGBTQA+ identities from members of the College of Engineering community.
• Participating in any of the two virtual screenplays (i.e., Netflix Parties) of “Moonlight” and “Dear Ex” on Friday, April 24th from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. to break the silence.  
• Participating in the GLSEN’s National Breaking the Silence Rallies across the country on April 24, 3 P.M. EST (Twitter handle, @GLSEN). 

We thank you in advance for your support in making Michigan Engineering an inclusive working and learning environment for all, both online and in person. See you back in two weeks for monologues on LGBTQA+ identities in STEM. 

Stay Safe!
The Allyhood Action Committee (MEGC, oSTEM, GEO, and SHPE)

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