GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624,
cell 202-487-0693, mclarty (at) greens.org
Nancy Allen, Media Coordinator, 207-326-4576,
nallen (at) acadia.net


GREENS SUPPORT 'DAY OF SILENCE' PROTEST AGAINST
ANTIGAY BIAS ON CAMPUS ON APRIL 13


WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Green Party leaders are
urging support for the 'Day of Silence' on
Wednesday, April 13, a national protest against
antigay discrimination and harrassment. The
student-led event is planned for middle school,
high school, and college and university campuses
all across the U.S.

During the Day of Silence, participants will
undertake a day-long vow of silence to recognize
and protest discrimination and harassment faced
by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender
students, teachers, and staff.

"The Green Party supports full freedom, human
rights, equality, and legal protection regardless
of sexual orientation or gender identity,
including same-sex marriage rights and protection
from discrimination," said David Strand,
Minnesota Green and Lavender Green Caucus
alternate delegate to the Green Party of the
United States. "We commend the Gay, Lesbian and
Straight Education Network and the United States
Student Association for initiating the Day of
Silence."

Greens also called for passage of a House
Concurrent Resolution in Congress in support of
efforts by students to create safer campus
environments for all. The bill (H.Con.Res. 123)
specifically mentions and supports the Day of
Silence, and is the only item in Congress
currently to use the terms "gender identity or
expression," "transgender," "lesbian,"
"bisexual," and "gay."

"We challenge Democratic and Republican elected
officials to endorse this bill and get it passed
in Congress," said Jason Jones, Louisiana Green
and chair of the national Lavender Green Caucus.
"Regardless of one's politics or religion, there
is no reason to deny any student safety from
bias, harassment, or violence on campus because
of sexual orientation or gender or race or
disability or any other basis on which students
have faced discrimination. We especially
challenge Democrats after their party began to
retreat from human rights in the wake of the 2004
election."

Greens also noted that an impending vote in
Canadian Parliament on a bill that would legalize
same-sex marriage in every province and territory
of Canada.

"Election of Greens to public office will make
enactment of such legislation possible in the
U.S. one day," said national Green Party co-chair
Jody Grage Haug, who cited the Green platform's
support for same-sex marriage rights and Mayor
Jason West of New Paltz, N.Y., an elected Green
who faced legal action for performing same-sex
marriage ceremonies in 2004.


MORE INFORMATION

The Green Party of the United States
www.gp.org
1700 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 404
Washington, DC 20009.
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193

The Day of Silence: A project of the Gay, Lesbian
and Straight Education Network in collaboration
with the United States Student Association www.dayofsilence.org

Lavender Green Caucus
www.lavendergreens.org/


~ END ~