Drake Jensen • Scars

Canadian artist Drake Jensen has lent his voice to battle bullying with the release of the amazing song, Scars. The production is pure Country, and the song is sung straight from the heart. Drake tells the tales of the of the young boys and young girls who have been picked on, both physically and mentally, with little hope of relief.



Share this song and pass is on to others who might help the children now and in the future to no longer have to fight against bullies. The relief they need comes in many forms, from the understanding shoulder to cry on, to the responsible adult who stands for making this world a better and safer place for each new generation. You can find Scars on iTunes, and CD Baby. The proceeds from the download sales will be donated to Bullying.org. You can also find his album On My Way To Finding You album on iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby. For my review of the album, read my earlier thoughts here. You can find out more about Drake Jensen on his official website.

Linq • Oh Bully

Today is Spirit Day, but I'd like to think we are willing to support out LGBT Youth, and all Youth who are victims of bullying, every day. Bullying takes a tremendous toll on us all, and hurts us as a whole. Whenever we allow systematically hurt a segment of society, we become a land of thugs. We are far stronger people when we are holding one another up than when we are allowing people to be torn down.



So if you know someone who is being bullied, tell them it will get better. If you know someone who is being a bully, remind them that it can get better if they learn to live with tolerance and love, rather than bile and hatred. For more about Linq, check out her official website here. To purchase this single, visit iTunes here, or Amazon here.

Ireland Stands Against Bullying

I saw this video and knew I had to post it. It is very simple, clear and straight-forward - stand together to bring the end to homophobia and bullying. And there is plenty of proof Ireland had plenty of pretty boys who aren't members of Westlife or Boyzone. Check This out.



If only more poeple would stand up to bullying of any kind!

Anderson Cooper Takes on Bullying

I think by now we should all know better than to piss Anderson Cooper off. Last night, we saw what happens when you do, as Anderson discussed the FaceBook postings of Clint McCance, the vice-president of an Arkansas school board. The story first broke by the Advocate here, it has been picked up by most news organizations. But what I love most about Anderson's coverage is that he brings it back to what is important, the victims. And he speaks so strongly about the perpetrator of this act.



I have always liked Anderson, his news-style being so strong. You are very aware when it is a topic he cares about, and bullying is one of them. Earlier, he ha appeared on Ellen Degeneres' show, and spoke about the issue.



Anderson speaks so directly to the heart of the matter, I hope his use of his position at CNN allows many people to hear it. And that one day, he asks me to marry him. I mean, come on, he is gorgeous, too.

There is a FaceBook page requesting the school board terminate him here. While the board announced they can't fire him - he is an elected official, not an employee, 'liking' the page does send a message I think is good.

It Gets Better - Ari Gold

"Just Hang On. We're strong, and we can get through this." In his personal message to LGBT youth, award-winning recording artist Ari Gold offers his own take n the challenge put forth by writer Dan Savage. He challenged people to post videos of their own personal stories, and to let them know life does get better. This is not a project filled with slick logos and amazing special effects, just personal stories reaching out to kids who might be struggling, letting them know someone cares. And to not give up. I've been a fan of Ari since I saw first saw a video, and went out to purchase his music.





For more about Ari Gold, you can check out his official website here. If you are someone, or know someone who might be feeling the effects of prejudice and bullying, here is the website for The Trevor Project. They have set up a hotline that can be reached at (866)488-7386. Share the number with those how you think might benefit, because the teenage years are hard enough without the additional issues discovering you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, and the pain inflicted on those youth by people with small minds.

It Gets Better - Darren Hayes

Top: Darren Hayes; bottom: Darren with husband Richard.

With a recent rash of LGBT youth suicides making to the mainstream press, the issue of bullying and abuse given to the youth is thankfully getting more attention. Even better, writer Dan Savage started a project to speak directly to the youth. He challenged people to post videos of their own personal stories, and to let them know life does get better. This is not a project filled with slick logos and amazing special effects, just personal stories reaching out to kids who might be struggling, letting them know someone cares. And to not give up. Last week I posted filmmaker Paul Bright's video, which you can check out here. This morning I am posting the offering of Australian musician/singer/songwriter Darren Hayes. I've been a fan of Darren since his days part of the group Savage Garden, and later with his solo music. While Paul's entry brought a tear to my eye, Darren's made me smile, so full of love and joy.



For more about Darren Hayes, you can check out his official website here. If you are someone, or know someone who might be feeling the effects of prejudice and bullying, here is the website for The Trevor Project. They have set up a hotline that can be reached at (866)488-7386. Share the number with those how you think might benefit, because the teenage years are hard enough without the additional issues discovering you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, and the pain inflicted on those youth by people with small minds.



Over the past decade, as the general tone of the population has turned more to acceptance and support of the gay community, the rabid right has fought back with misinformation, lies, and vitriol, feeding the hate in those who would prefer to lash out at others rather than look at themselves, putting the LGBT youth in further peril. As a citizen, taxpayer, and voter of this country, I hope we are able to soon see that all men are created equal, and we value all our citizens, and think less of those who feel the need to attack and tear others down because they are different.