Focus on the Family Targets Day of Silence

Focus on the Family education analyst Candi Cushman Focus on the Family has kicked off an initiative in opposition to the national Day of Silence, which is a day to protest the harassment and discrimination that LGBT young people face at school.

The Colorado Springs, Colo., organization launched DayofDialogue.com Thursday to "offer students the facts [about homosexuality] to engage a dialogue in schools" in preparation for the Day of Dialogue, to be held in April, Focus on the Family spokesman Gary Schneeberger told The Gazetteof Colorado Springs.

Focus education analyst Candi Cushman (pictured) said her organization took on the program because "more than one side needs to be heard on the issue of homosexuality, and we’re helping to ensure that Christian students have the chance to express their viewpoint."

The Day of Dialogue, formerly known as the Day of Truth, is a day for antigay students to counter the Day of Silence, during which gay students and their allies remain silent for a day to recognize that bullying silences gay teens. The launch of the site comes after a two-month period in which instances of antigay bullying in schools and teen suicides have made headlines across the country. In the wake of the reports, "ex-gay" organization Exodus International announced it would no longer sponsor the Day of Truth, leading Focus to take over the observance.