'Day Of Silence,' National Pro-LGBT Youth Event, Draws Record Number Of Student Participants

Despite some fierce opposition , the "Day of Silence" is off to a record-breaking start.

Organized by the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), the "Day of Silence" was created to draw attention to the anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) bullying, harassment and name-calling that takes place in schools across the country.

This year's event drew students from more than 8,000 U.S. schools, all of whom took a "vow of silence" in their respective classrooms to mark the occasion, according to GLSEN officials. Meanwhile, lesbian country singer Chely Wright and gay MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts are among the public figures to express their support.

"The Day of Silence is an expression of solidarity, of strength, of urgency and of hope," GLSEN Executive Director Dr. Eliza Byard said in an email statement. "Every year, new action in new places occurs as the result of a shared resolve to make sure schools are safe for all."

For more information about the "Day of Silence," click here.

Check out some of the best tweets about the "Day of Silence" below: