LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to recog-
nize April 15, 2016, as a Day of Silence in the State of New York

WHEREAS, The Day of Silence is a day on which students take a vow to
remain silent for a full day in order to bring attention to the harass-
ment and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
people in schools, including students, teachers, and other school staff;
and
WHEREAS, The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, in partner-
ship with the United States Student Association, has designated April
15, 2016, as the Day of Silence; and
WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands of students at more than 8,000 K-12
schools, colleges and universities participated in Day of Silence events
in 2011; and
WHEREAS, More than 80 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgen-
der students have been verbally harassed by their peers because of their
sexual orientation and gender identity; and
WHEREAS, More than 40 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgen-
der students have been physically assaulted by their peers because of
their sexual orientation and gender identity; and
WHEREAS, More than 80 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgen-
der students report that faculty and staff rarely or never intervene
when harassment against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individ-
uals occurs; and
WHEREAS, More than 30 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgen-
der students report missing at least one entire school day in the last
month because they feel unsafe; and
WHEREAS, Unchecked harassment and discrimination based on sexual
orientation and gender identity or expression can hinder student
achievement and have a negative impact on student academic performance;
and
WHEREAS, Every child, regardless of sexual orientation or gender iden-
tity, should be guaranteed an education free from discrimination and
harassment; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body supports the goals and ideals of the
Day of Silence; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 15, 2016, a Day
of Silence in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.