The Associated Press announced that the Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian legal group that has opposed same-sex marriage and challenged restrictions on religious expression in public schools is the driving force behind a new initiative, The Day of Truth, where participating students are offered t-shirts that say “The Truth Cannot be Silenced” to show that they think homosexuality is sinful.
The initiative—starting this week—is aimed at combating the annual Day of Silence on April 13—coordinated by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)—where GLBT students and supporters go an entire school day without speaking to draw attention to the isolation and harassment experienced by many gay students.
The Day of Truth students are asked to pass out cards the day after wearing their sporty tees that declare their unwillingness to condone "detrimental personal and social behavior."
I don’t know about you, but wearing a t-shirt designed by Christian right-wing groups sounds like detrimental social behavior to me, particularly in high school. This sick and twisted manipulation of children is brought to you by the moral pejority.
I have it on good authority that other T-shirt considerations included:
- The Truth Cannot be Silenced like Matthew Shepard
- Hate the Sin, Shove the Sinner
- My Mommy Loves Jesus More Than Me
- I Love Jesus More Than My Wardrobe
- Now There’s Plenty of Room for You in the Closet
- This Shirt Doubles as a Hood
- Give Me Your Lunch Money
- This Shirt Brought to You by One Less Meal for God’s Hungry Children
- I Was Molested by Clergy and All I Got was This Lousy T-shirt
Rumor has it that once the day is over, The Day of Truth students will be asked to wear shirts that say, “Rent This Space Just Like My Parents Did Last Week” to raise more money for the Alliance Defense Fund.
Personally, I’m hoping that every GLSEN student wears a t-shirt the same day that says The Truth is OUT.
Here's to them,
Nick
http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/home.html
http://www.dayofsilence.org