Christopher Ruiz was among them.

The Danbury High School junior wore a sign on his T-shirt announcing he couldn't talk. Ruiz is gay. He stayed silent to show support for other teens like him.

"I think this is really important," he said, speaking up only briefly during an interview. "People don't understand how much the gay people of our age go through. They get teased a lot. People have no consideration at all."

Ruiz said he came out before moving from New York City three months ago. "I've been harassed," he said, though not so much at Danbury High. "People are more accepting of other cultures here and let people be who they are."

As many as 25 percent of the 2,800 or so students at Danbury High took part in the fourth annual national "Day of Silence." They were joined by an estimated 450,000 young people in Redding, Brookfield, Bethel and across the country, according to the New-York-based Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

"The silence symbolizes the decades of silence these people had to go through" to hide their sexuality, said Danbury High senior Allison Blansfield .

"I know a lot of people who are gay or bi and I feel I am showing respect for them if I keep my silence," Danbury High junior Shayna Kovacs said. "Every day you hear the word 'fag,' and I feel that's harassment."

The "Day of Silence" is supposed to call attention to bullying and harassment that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students face. In an October poll, the GLSEN said, 5 percent of American students identified themselves as lesbian or gay. Sixteen percent had a gay or lesbian family member and 72 percent knew someone who was gay.

In a 2003 survey, the network found that four out of five gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender students reported that they had been the target of physical or verbal harassment at school.

But Danbury High sophomore Megan Corbett said she thought there was a growing acceptance that made it easier for students to come out about their sexuality.

"Yesterday one of my friends came out to me. My perspective of them didn't change," she said. "People are who they are. People shouldn't be judgmental."

Not everyone bought into the event at Danbury High.

The signs promoting the event said: "Make your silence scream." Some students wrote over them, "scream against silence." In other parts of the country, conservative groups planned counter-rallies in opposition to homosexuality.

In Danbury, "I think the majority of students supported the event but a small minority didn't," said junior Michael Steinmetz , who added the day spawned debates in classrooms. "It was a great thing, even if there were opposing views."

Danbury High principal Catherine Richard said she was heartened to see the widespread participation in the event. She said it builds respect.

"We're a big school. We have nearly 3,000 youngsters who speak 44 different languages," Richard said. "I want to make sure this is a safe place for everybody. I'm proud of this effort."

At Joel Barlow High School in Redding, some students were silent. Additionally, the school invited three speakers who talked about coming out, including two who were fathers before they went public with their homosexuality.

The lesson of tolerance "went beyond just supporting bisexuals and gays," said Barlow psychologist Dale Barchorm . "It could be relevant to anyone with differences in regard to race, ethnicity and physical limitations."

At Brookfield High, students could be silent or wear a rainbow sticker in support of gay and lesbian peers. About 85 people chose silence and 100 wore stickers, including 10 to 15 faculty members.

"I was really thrilled with the numbers," said Dr. Barbara Kessler , a veterinarian and biology teacher and the faculty advisor for the Gay Straight Alliance .

At the end of the day, there was an announcement thanking people for their support. Kessler said she heard no reports of taunting or other hostility during the day.

At Bethel High, students and teachers wore rainbow-colored ribbons in observance of the event. Some students were silent.

Math teacher Allan Marquette , advisor to the four-year-old Gay Straight Alliance, said he thinks students are more aware of who they are at a younger age and they tend to have more support from friends when they come out.

He liked how students stood up to say no one should be bullied for any reason . "Kids should be able and deserve to go to school in a friendly environment," Marquette said.

Ridgefield High had no schoolwide event but a number of students were silent in support of people of different sexual orientations.

Back at Danbury High, Shirley Ferreira , a senior who helped coordinate the event, said it was interesting to hear the silence of the normally noisy halls, to hear "the feet hitting the floor."

She said the day was important.

"We need to let everyone know that diversity extends beyond culture," Ferreira said. "I have several friends who constantly get harassed because of their sexuality. I hope and strongly believe that this will open up a lot of people's eyes."