Apr 17, 2015 3 min read

Some students at McGuffey High School sparked controversy after allegedly holding an “Anti-Gay Day” during school Thursday in protest of the National Day of Silence, an annual event intended to bring attention to bullying of the LGBT community in schools.

Social media sites were full of accounts of about 100 students wearing flannel shirts and writing messages like “anti-gay” on their hands.

There also were accounts of physical altercations and name-calling.

McGuffey Superintendent Erica Kolat wrote in an e-mail statement the school is investigating the matter.

“Yesterday afternoon, April 16, 2015, allegations of harassment were brought to the attention of our administration. McGuffey School District, along with school police officers, continue to investigate all allegations. We will follow our Student Code of Conduct, and file legal citations, as warranted. We resolve to ensure that all children can grow and learn in a safe, supportive environment free from discrimination,” she wrote.

According to Kathy Cameron, chairwoman of Washington County Gay Straight Alliance, the events happened a day after the national Day of Silence that some students chose to observe Wednesday.

“It’s a very passive way of bringing attention to those who don’t have a voice,” Cameron said.

On its website, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network states, “Thousands of students across the country will participate in Day of Silence, an annual international event that brings attention to the anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment that is common in schools. Students typically take a vow of silence as a symbolic representation of the silencing effect of anti-LGBT language and bullying experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students and their allies.”

There is a Gay Straight Alliance Club at McGuffey High School.

Cameron said she attended school board meetings in the past where participants have spoken critically about the group’s existence.

At Thursday’s school board meeting, three people spoke out about the group, Cameron said.

Three students who are not GSA members responded, telling the board members they had a passive day of action and “now they are being bullied and disrespected,” she said. “To me, all schools need to protect the kids, all kids. It’s bullying, and bullying is not to be tolerated.”

McGuffey resident Shannon Moore, said her daughter, a junior at the high school, was upset when she came home from school Thursday and told Moore anti-gay posters were placed throughout the building and students who supported the Day of Silence were verbally assaulted.

“It seemed to be retaliatory against the kids who participated, gay or straight,” said Moore, whose daughter told her some kids were shoved against lockers and called derogatory names. “The biggest problem I have is I feel that it is a bullying problem, not a gay-straight issue.”