Agree or disagree, Day of Silence drew HUGE news coverage and visibility today.

Even those that misguidedly skipped school or created anti-gay graffiti in protest added to the publicity and public awareness that we were seeking on this issue.

Sampling of headlines today:

1.
Day of Silence peaceful at Desert Ridge High
12 News Phoenix - 54 minutes ago After a tumultuous month of disputes over a gay-straight alliance's observance of the Day of Silence, students at Gilbert Public Schools' Desert Ridge High had a peaceful observance Friday that was ensured by an increased presence of police officers.

2. 250 skip school, 275 join in Day of Silence
East Valley Tribune - Apr 25 12:34 PM About 250 Desert Ridge High School students didn’t go to school Friday — about a third of those students claiming they were ditching to protest Day of Silence, principal Dan Coombs said. VIDEO: Watch Tribune's Nicole Beyer report

3. National Day of Silence
Planet Out via Yahoo! News - 2 hours, 59 minutes ago SUMMARY: Hundreds of thousands of students will take part in today's national Day of Silence to combat bullying of LGBT students.

4. Almost one-third of students absent as supporters, opponents of Day of Silence air their views at Mt. Si High School
Seattle Times - Apr 25 11:37 AM Almost one-third of students absent as supporters, opponents of Day of Silence for gay and lesbian students' rights air their views at Mt. Si High School.

5. Anti-gay graffiti mars Day of Silence
The Charlotte Observer - Apr 25 10:02 AM Students across the Charlotte region are participating today in the national "Day of Silence" observation to express solidarity with gay and lesbian students who have been bullied and harassed. Charlotte-Mecklenburg school officials say the event is taking place without incident on most campuses, despite earlier talk of counter protests from students who feel they are being pressured to mute ...