Chawlk

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5. Wriging
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I don't mean any disrespect but I would strongly advise, in the future, that if these causes mean enough to you to post about them that you give us (another other communities, companies, etc.) notice so people can properly prepare. To come on the day of the event, announce it, and basically say, "hey everybody, stop what you're doing for this great cause" is inconsiderate. We have a site launch five days, I HAVE to talk because people are expecting things from me. If I had proper notice perhaps I would have worked around it but then again, I'm not sure (and I would have to talk to the guys about this), that I want 9rules (Chawlk, etc.) to formally endorse any organization without personally checking it out. We spoke about our personal preferences to things but we don't expect community members to support our personal crusades.

Again, perhaps if you had given more notice I would consider it but I made promises, people are depending on me and I cannot let them down because I wasn't given the proper notice.

An addendum: I agree with the way Perez Hilton handled it. He is still updating his site but he is using his voice to request people to donate...which would probably help the organization in the long run.

I don't mean any disrespect either but what exactly does being silent SOLVE? So I shut my mouth for a day and don't blog/twitter/etc... how are people supposed to know why I've disappeared?

I understand a silent prayer for people lost in a natural disaster or from tragic disease or a terror attack but what does holding my tongue really solve for people who get bullied?

Slavery and womens suffrage weren't solved by people who kept silent either, how are the G/L/B/T folks expecting to go forward by being silent?

In defense of the idea, if there was a high enough level of awareness that today was a day of silence it could be a very effective form of protest. The issue is that I--and suspect many others--didn't know about it until today. As such, not making a blog post today would be a meaningless gesture, because the audience hadn't been warned that there was a reason for the silence.

On a college campus, where awareness of such things is usually higher, it can have a very real impact. I'm imagining wearing tape on your mouth and perhaps having a flyer in explanation. That's a protest that could work because it's novel and different.

That's the beauty of asking for participation: you don't have to participate if you don't want to, or if it's not possible.

And I would never justify a stance based on what Perez Hilton is doing. :)

@RightOn - actually, there is a lot more to it. The day of silence isn't meant for us, it is meant for school children:

The Day of Silence is a call to action. Students can use this day, as well as other GLSEN Days of Action, as a means of achieving an “ask.” An ask is a very specific action that calls for a change in school policies, climate, and culture to achieve a larger goal of safe schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Some examples of an ask include: adding sexual orientation and gender identity/expression in your school’s non-discrimination or anti-harassment policy, or training teachers to respond effectively to anti-LGBT bullying, harassment, and name-calling.

They also request that people register so they have a count of people who are participating. The link they give - StudentOrganizing.org.

They even have a way for students to participate if their school does not want to get involved:

If your administration does not support an official Day of Silence event there are alternative activities that you can engage in. Please refer to: “Tips for the Last Minute Organizer or Those Whose Administration Has Said No” [PDF].

If you read that PDF, all of the suggestions happen IN SCHOOL, that is their goal. What they would have preferred is what Perez did, people write about the issue, bring awareness to their cause, and ask people to donate.

RightOn there was a purpose, educating children so this doesn't happen again. Essentially what Perez did was bring awareness to their cause by mentioning it to his millions of readers. If only 1% of them donated that would be a significant amount of money for the organization.

Actually, the site it out of date. It began as a college trial, moved to high school via GLSEN and is now moving into the GLBT community in general. There are a number of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender groups getting involved that want to take it beyond the walls of our school houses.

I'm working with a group that's talking to some of the folks at GLSEN about promoting it more for bloggers next year (and hopefully having a dedicated site with the tools bloggers will need to go silent). But, since all of that wasn't possible this year, I figured I might be able to round up a few folks around here. :)