The annual Day of Silence, during which students from across the country take a vow of silence to bring attention to the harassment of students based on sexual orientation, will take place on Friday.

The purpose of the Day of Silence is to honor those who have had their voices taken away from them, according to sophomore Colin Marchon, who plans to participate in the event.

“The Day of Silence isn’t about not talking to show your friends you’re not homophobic,” Marchon said. “It’s a way of showing people, and yourself, what gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are going though in today’s society.”

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network has sponsored the event since 2001. The aim of GLSEN is to create a safe school environment for all students.

The Day of Silence, now one of the largest student-led actions in the United States, was first practiced in 1996, when University of Virginia students became inspired to do so by an assignment regarding non-violent protests. More than 150 students participated in the campaign.

The event was brought to the national level in 1997 and, in 2008, hundreds of thousands of students from over 8,000 K-12 schools, colleges, and universities took part.

Students at Paly are among those gearing up for the event.

Sophomore Madison Sevilla plans not only to keep silent, but also to hand out Day of Silence information cards.

“I have printed out little cards that talk about the Day of Silence that I plan to wear,” Sevilla said. “I will also give them out to anyone who asks for one.”

Senior Marc Leclerc, another participant, gives his reasons for taking part in the initiative: “Stories of children being bullied and even killed because of their sexuality are in the news every day. If we, as students, can make one person aware of what’s happening, then we have accomplished something.”

Margo Wixsom, photography teacher and supporter of the Day of Silence, will be out of town at a conference on Friday, but has encouraged her students to participate. She says that she plans to take part next year.

“For a teacher, it just takes some planning to be able to participate and teach using communication other than words — very creative really,” Wixsom said.

Other students give their support to the cause, but do not plan to go silent on Friday.

“I’m all for the cause but I think participating in it is not very practical,” freshman Mikey Abrams said.

Some students are not participating for other reasons.

“I think it’s pointless because everyone already knows about the issue,” sophomore Quinn Walker said. “I’m not against the cause, but I just think this is not the way to go about it.”

Participants, however, have a different opinion.

“Every other day is a day for people to speak out about gay rights,” sophomore Sam Juarez said. “This day is for remembering.”