Today's National Day of Silence is intended to stop name-calling, bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered students at school, a need that was highlighted by a new study.

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network yesterday released a study showing that many gay students in Pennsylvania do not feel safe at secondary schools.

The findings are based on a survey of 242 Pennsylvania students who participated in GLSEN's 2007 National School Climate Survey.

"Pennsylvania has lagged behind other states in taking the simple and effective steps to begin addressing anti-LGBT bullying and harassment. Pennsylvania and all of its schools need to commit to making sure that schools are safe for all students," GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard said.

The survey of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered students in Pennsylvania showed:

• Almost 9 of 10 have been harassed verbally in the past year.

• More than half said they had been harassed physically.

• More than a quarter said they had be physically assaulted.

• Ninety-eight percent sometimes, often or frequently hear the word "gay" used in a negative way.

• Most of those harassed or assaulted didn't report it, but only about a third of those who did report it found school staff intervened effectively.

• Because they felt unsafe, 39 percent had skipped class at least once in the past month and 44 percent had missed at least one day of school.

On the National Day of Silence today, some students will remain completely silent while others are silent in breaks between classes and others speak out against bullying. Some will wear stickers or hand out cards urging an end to bullying.

According to GLSEN, students in 271 middle and high schools in Pennsylvania have registered to participate.