ThinkB4YouSpeak --- ThinkB4YouSpeak is a new website, sponsored by GLSEN and the Arnold Agency, to raise awareness about anti-LGBT language, launched in 2008. According to the FBI, it found that gays and lesbians, or those perceived to be gay, "are far more likely to be victims of a violent hate crime than any other minority group in the United States". It aims to stop the use of such language both online and offline. GLSEN realizes the destructive potential of such words, and has started ThinkB4YouSpeak in an effort to decrease it. The organization spent over 2 million dollars on it, and the campaign was done pro bono by the Arnold Agency in New York. The ThinkB4YouSpeak campaign also has a downloadable feature that counts the real time use of deragatory slurs like "dyke" or "faggot" on Twitter. In the same year it was created, the campaign won the Ad Council's Gold Bell award award for "Best Public Service Advertising Campaign". Resources for both teachers and students alike can be found on the ThinkB4YouSpeak website, located here: http://www.ThinkB4YouSpeak.com/
No Name-Calling Week ---
Similar to the ThinkB4YouSpeak website, No Name-Calling Week is an active way for schools to educate their students on the harmful effects of name-calling and LGBT bullying. Local officers in charge of running No Name-Calling Week are given a resource kit, Ready! Set! Respect!, by GLSEN, in which important information is contained. The campaign is actually based on an idea in James Howe's book The Misfits a group of friends known as the self-professed "Gang of Five" are teased and bullied. They decide to run in their student elections, promoting a "No Name-Calling Day" at their school. No Name-Calling Week is comprised of five days, from January 23 - January 27 (this year), of comprehensive workshops for students and teachers alike.
Day of Silence ---
The Day of Silence initiative is by far GLSEN's most-known project. According to the Day of Silence website, sponsored by GLSEN since the year 2000, "The National Day of Silence is a day of action in which students across the country vow to take a form of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools." A school is encouraged to take part in the Day of Silence, which is traditionally held in April, since 1996. The first Day of Silence was held at the University of Virginia, created by Maria Pulzetti. The Day of Silence can be organized by the school's GSA, if they have one, or it can be organized by the school's administration.
Day of Silence Recounts: