News

Solidarity Day 2021

November 1st, 2021

Each year, Landmark High School's Genders and Sexualities Alliance (GSA) sponsors Solidarity Day (formerly Ally Day) and encourages community members to reflect on their values and actions, commit to end racism, harassment and bullying, and support their peers, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and race. The GSA encouraged the community to reflect on the following pledge:

I believe that all students, regardless of race, sexual orientation or gender identity/expression deserve to feel safe and supported, and that Black lives matter. That means I pledge to:

• Try to listen to perspectives and experiences that differ from my own, and to keep an open mind.
• Not use racist, or anti-LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning) language or slurs.
• Intervene, if I safely can, in situations where students are being harassed or tell an adult.
• Support efforts to end bullying and harassment.
• Encourage others to be Allies.

Nearly 200 students, faculty, and staff participated in Solidarity Day at the High School on November 2 and signed the pledge. A rainbow flag was displayed in the cafeteria in Alexander. The flag symbolizes Landmark’s stand against the injustice and inequality that still exists in our society.  

"Our goal for Solidarity and Solidarity Week is for members of the Landmark community to focus on how how our actions and words can foster a community that is a welcoming, equitable, and safe place for all," said Christine Vander Werf, a High School counselor. "The transition from Ally Week to Solidarity Week reflects the responsibility to adjust language, ideas, and actions that are appropriate and reflect the voices of all, especially those most impacted by oppressive systems and behaviors. The hope is to empower the Landmark community to stand in solidarity with all members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and to bring special attention to particularly disenfranchised populations." 

Solidarity Day is inspired by Ally Week, a student-led program during which LGBTQIA+ K–12 students and educators lead a conversation on what they need from their allies in school. It is sponsored by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network). Showing our support is especially important now, as rates of bullying and harassment increase for students who identify as LGBTQIA+, and these students are four times more likely to attempt suicide.

Read this article explaining the Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter movements.