Jersey Shore church event celebrates LGBTQ+ youth voices with Day of (NO) Silence

Every year, schools in New Jersey and around the country hold a Day of Silence to raise awareness about the bullying of LGBTQ+ students, keeping quiet to represent the silencing of many queer voices.

The day was started by GLSEN in 1996, and participation has grown exponentially.

But this year, the events were different.

Following the death of Nex Benedict, a nonbinary high school student in Oklahoma who faced bullying, as well as in the wake of anti-trans legislation across the country, organizers felt it was important to elevate the voices of trans and LGBTQ+ youth with a Day of (NO) Silence on April 12.

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"With more than 800 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced last year, we must rise up and take action," said GLSEN on their website. "GLSEN’s Day of NO Silence is a nationally-recognized student-led demonstration where LGBTQ+ students and allies all around the country — and the world — protest the harmful effects of harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ+ people in schools."

One such event was held at United Methodist Church of Red Bank, where leaders say they "felt the need to host an event for youth to process their emotions and, more importantly, to celebrate their voices" and create an uplifting, empowering and affirming space.

The Church & Society Committee of UMCRB and its Red Bank Theatre for Young Audiences partnered with Make it Better for Youth and Garden State Equality to present Amplify, a free event for queer youth and allies. The event was attended by students from area schools.

“Trans kids are forced to use their voices to stand up for themselves in so many spaces," said Bonnie Deroski, UMCRB director of Children & Youth Ministries, and the organizer of Amplify. "I wanted to create a place where kids could express themselves without anyone shouting back at them. I wanted kids to know that these spaces exist for them, and that there are allies and supporters everywhere."

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The event included bracelet- and button-making stations, a message wall, a resource table, a photo booth and a raffle.

There were video messages from trans actor Jax Jackson and their castmates from Broadway's "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," as well as from trans actor Michael D. Cohen ("Henry Danger," "Danger Force").

Pieces written by young trans poets were presented by teen actors from the Red Bank Theatre for Young Audiences. Participants also heard a message of hope from church youth group alum Angel Chasco, and a closing affirmation by Pastor Cameron Overbey.

UMCRB hopes to make Amplify a yearly event, and asks anyone who is interested in partnering for the 2025 event to contact Deroski at bderoski@umcredbank.org.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Day of No Silence: Red Bank church celebrates queer youth voices