The Day of No Silence

It was cold and rainy out today.
 

But inside, things felt especially warm and bright.
 

The Middle School’s Day of No Silence is an ever-evolving event dedicated to the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community, at Gordon and in the world.
 

Middle Schoolers began the day in small, cross-grade groups, rotating through three workshops.

 

They created and presented newscasts highlighting positive news about the LGBTQ+ community.
 

They explored queer musical icons and discussed the role of music in social justice.
 

And, they created signs for the third annual Gordon Pride parade.
 

In 2006, when Gordon began recognizing this day, it was the Day of Silence, with Middle School students choosing to remain silent for the day to protest the invisibility of the LGBTQ+ community.
 

In 2024, it is the Day of No Silence...
 

...and it has become a celebration that’s visible throughout the school.
 

Some of the gestures are spectacular.

Others are subtler.
 

Some were temporary.
 

But many others are just part of the day-to-day fabric of the school.
 

In the kitchen, Chef Silvia put together a display of LGBTQ+ chefs.
 

Third graders, deep in their study of stereotypes in fairy tales, read some stories that played with family structures and gender identity.
 

Second graders learned it was day of the Pride parade, and they made signs.
 

Their teacher explained it as a day for a community that can feel invisible sometimes.
 

The second graders could immediately see how that connects to Gordon values.
 

And if Gordon second graders hear about people who are not feeling recognized in the world, they are going to do what they can to make sure they know they have a home here at Gordon.
 

After the morning workshops, Middle School gathered for a presentation led by Matt Garza of the Haus of Glitter.
 

The Haus of Glitter is a queer, BIPOC, Providence-based performance group that includes co-founder and co-director Assi Coulibaly, Gordon Class of ’08, who, sadly, could not be part of today’s visit.
 

Garza talked with students about the Haus of Glitter’s historic intervention at the Esek Hopkins homestead, [ and the experience of creating peaceful, disruptive protest in partnership with collaborators who share a deep love and respect for one another.
 

Before leaving students with a song, Garza challenged them:

What would it be like if we all left this room and held ourselves accountable for our own well being, if we thought about staying true to ourselves for the rest of our lives? 
 

And for the eighth graders leaving on the Civil Rights Trip on Monday:

Take the time to breathe and imagine how strong the civil rights activists were. Some day people will look back at our generation and ask what we were fighting for to make the world better. 
 

Closing with a moving song for their mother, they told the students, “I’m excited to see the art you make. I’m eager to hear about the organizing and activism you create. I hope we can stay in touch because I want to know what you do, the fights you choose, to make your ancestors proud.”
 

The skies had cleared in time for the Pride parade.
 

There was an air of improvisation.
 

The marchers fell into step...
 

...then out of step, then back again.
 

Snatches of the chants from the morning workshops could be heard, along with singing, and whoops, and cheers.
 

As a spectacle, it was unignorable.
 

As a party, it was infectious.
 

As a celebration, it was right on target.
 

As the end of a day dedicating to affirming identity, joyfully and grounded in love, it was perfect.

 

Many more photos

A look at the Day of Silence and Noise 2023
A look at 2022