At left, Yigal Azrouel. At right, Carolina Herrera. On April 20th, GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, will hold a National Day of Silence to call attention to the silencing effects of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools. Students across the country are taking vows of silence in support of the project’s mission to end the persistent bullying of LGBT youth.  ELLE partnered with GLSEN during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week to host the GLSEN Lounge as an advocate of the cause. The goal was to attract fashion’s elite—celebrities, tastemakers and media movers and shakers—like Brad Goreski, Jill Zarin, Johnny Weir and Miss J Alexander to the top of the Empire Hotel where they could sketch messages showing their interpretation of GLSEN’s Day of Silence. The sketches were displayed at the lounge over the course of the event and, as April 20th approaches, GLSEN and ELLE are continuing to rally participation from the industry’s most powerful voices. As posted here, designers Donna Karan, Carolina Herrera, Prabal Gurung and Yigal Azrouel drew their own sketches in solidarity.
At left, Prabal Gurung.

At right, DKNY. With so many industries, luminaries and just plain good-hearted people rallying support for GLSEN’s Day of Silence, how can you not do your part to help eradicate the horrible epidemic sweeping America’s youth? Lend your support on April 20th by visiting GLSEN’s website to learn more about the wonderful work they are doing to end LGBT discrimination in schools, and click here to enter ELLE’s GLSEN Fashion Lounge Gift Bag Sweepstakes.