[5] Created by then-students Maria Pulzetti and Jessie Gilliam, the first event was organized by students at University of Virginia in 1996.

[10] "Events like these actually end up promoting homosexuality in public schools, and that actually creates a hostile climate for students of faith," said Candi Cushman, an education analyst for Focus on the Family.

A card carried by participants in the Day of Truth reads: "true tolerance means that people with differing—even opposing—viewpoints can freely exchange ideas and respectfully listen to each other.

"[11] Other socially conservative organizations, including the American Family Association, Concerned Women for America, Mission America, Traditional Values Coalition, Americans for Truth, and Liberty Counsel, opposed the Day of Silence in 2008 by forming a coalition urging parents to keep their kids home on the DOS if students at their school were observing it.

[14] On October 6, 2010, CNN reported that Exodus International, which promotes "freedom from homosexuality through Jesus Christ,” would not support the 2011 annual Day of Truth as the organization had done in 2010.

As of 2012, the Day of Dialogue website stated: "Now it boasts a new name, while maintaining the same goal it’s always had since its founding — encouraging honest and respectful conversation among students about God’s design for sexuality.