For one day out of every year, countless LGBTQ youth and their allies take a day-long vow of silence, to honor those who have been silenced, and to bring awareness to the fact that as a minority, the LGBTQ community is silenced in school settings. The National Day of Silence has served as the largest recognized motion to bring the struggles of LGBTQ youth into the spotlight.

That could all change starting next week. The National Youth Awareness Coalition, in collaboration with youth-serving organizations across the country is promoting the inaugural LGBTQ Youth Awareness Week from May 25th through 29th. Each day of the week is scheduled to focus on an issue central to LGBTQ youth.

The week kicks off on Monday with honoring LGBTQ youth who are serving in the military and who feel the effects of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Tuesday focuses on ending violence and discrimination against youth, and Wednesday addresses the epidemic of homelessness among LGBTQ youth. Thursday brings attention to the need to create safe schools and safe places, and Friday finishes the week by looking at how organizations and individuals can provide information that promotes good health in LGBTQ youth.

“I think an awareness week would do well for us,” said Alex Langley, one of the youth. “It seems to have done well for all of the other ‘causes.’” He brings up the example of when his school had a week for HIV/AIDS awareness, and how it was effective in getting information across.

Judith Dumont believes that the week-long events could have a positive effect on society as a whole and says that she “would like to use this week as an educational tool to help raise awareness for the different struggles these youth encounter when compared to their heterosexual peers.”

During the week, Youth First Texas is planning on integrating the day’s themes into their daily activities, and encourages youth and adults to find other ways to get involved. For more information, and other ways in which to contribute, visit the NYAC website for the event at http://www.nyacyouth.org/pages.php?id=11.