Day of Silence

   I've always kinda wondered why someone would want to not talk all day, you know when we used to dare each other to do it in elementary school? I would sit and think why? You can't make friends without talking. You can't play tag without talking.
But now that I'm older I have realized that there are purposes for being silent. And that by being silent you showed that playing tag was different, or that making friends was a little more challenging.
Today I am participating in GLSEN's (Gay,Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) Day of Silence. The day is a movement used to bring forward the silence faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and their allies. My choice to be silent will and does echo the silence which is caused by anti-LGBT bullying, harassment, and name-calling.
Staying silent today will be a fairly hard task, but I have set up some guidelines for myself so that I'm not "setting myself up for failure". I have chosen to answer the phone whenever it rings today, and it might be a telemarketer, but it would be another person to tell about the Day of Silence.
I am spreading the awareness, while not interrupting my "to-do" list. I will also speak when around small children and elderly members in my family.
The issues involved are not something a three year old needs to know or understand; and my older relatives are hard of hearing and would not be able to clearly understand why I am not talking to them. 
--So today if you know anybody participating in the DOS or if you would like to start participating go to www.dayofsilence.org

-Think about the voices you are not hearing today-