ISpoke Creator Rachel Rice Gives Voice to the Bullied

I wish someone had spoken up for me. When I was being bullied in school; when girls refused to change in the locker room because I was in there or when I was prevented from sitting down in class. The day my screen door was slashed. When I woke up in the morning to a makeshift cross placed in my front sidewalk. I wish someone had spoken up.

ISpoke.net is giving people the opportunity to speak. The courage to know that they have support when they hear a negative comment towards the LGBT community and to tell the person saying it, ‘That is not okay!’

I started ISpoke.net as a global impact project, a viral voice for anyone and everyone who makes the decision to speak up and tell the world they don’t approve of the hate anymore; to silence it with the courage of their voice. I envisioned this website as the start of a movement. That the words “I Spoke” will become synonymous with courage and acceptance, not just towards the LGBT community but towards stopping the hate in all aspects of life.

I will be the first to tell you that I did not pick an easy task. I know I'm not a big organization and I possess no flashy gimmicks to lure you into wanting to support my cause. I'm just a girl with a hope and dream to make the world a better, less-hateful place. You have to start somewhere.

In the first week I launched the website, I received e-mails and contributions to the website. People are speaking up. I have several submission -- testimonials from complete strangers all working toward a common goal. It is incredible, and I can only hope that as this project continues…more will catch on. More will let their voices soar.

I have felt guilt. I have felt embarrassed. I have felt the negativity I was probably meant to when strangers took it into their hands to trespass on my property, touch my belongings and make a statement about their view on my life. No one should have to feel that way –not for whom they choose to love, or how they choose to live their life. It is my mission, to silence the hate, to speak up and ensure that every day, I can help someone find their voice, and they tell somebody else, “I Spoke!”

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