Assembly Resolution No. 263

BY: M. of A. Titone

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
recognize April 21, 2017, 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 bring attention to the harassment
and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
people in schools, including students, teachers, and other school staff;
and

WHEREAS, The Day of Silence has been held annually since April of
1996; and

WHEREAS, The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network has
designated April 21, 2017, 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 2016; and

WHEREAS, More than 80 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender 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
transgender 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
transgender students report that faculty and staff rarely or never
intervene when harassment against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender individuals occurs; and

WHEREAS, More than 30 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender 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 students' academic
performance; and

WHEREAS, Every child, regardless of sexual orientation or gender
identity, 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 21, 2017, as a
Day of Silence in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.