It Gets Better when our entire community comes in support of LGBTQ youth! Thanks to everyone who joined us to record your message of hope and support for queer youth at this year's Philly Outfest!
The LGBT community of the city of Philadelphia gathered round to offer their words of support and encouragement to the LGBT Youth, and it is well worth hearing. Take the time to watch this video, and forward it to others who might need to hear the message. It is important to let the kids know while their world might seem dark and stormy at the moment, this too shall pass, and there is a world of change coming their way.
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.
Clockwise from Left: Eric Balfour, Pauley Perrette, Hal Sparks, and Alec Mapa & Jamie Hebert.
Familiar faces join the NOH8 Campaign (official site here) to send a message of hope and inspiration to LBGT youth in support of Dan Savage's "It Gets Better" Project. If you or someone you know needs help, call The Trevor Lifeline at 866-4-U-TREVOR (866.488.7386) or visit here.
The cast of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert took some time from their busy schedule on the road on their way to Broadway to record a video for the It Gets Better project. It is remarkable, and well worth watching. Check it out.
For more about Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, you can check out the 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.
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 Advocatehere, 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.
"We have to dispel this myth that bullying is just a rite of passage an inevitable part of growing up. It's not."
I know I am not the first to be showing this video, but I think is important that it be seen. It is important because we, as part of the LGBT community, have to remember recent history. If we look at the last 5 Presidents, what the latest, President Barack Obama, does in this video is unprecedented. These 5 men represent the last 30 years of presidents, and if we look at the time of President Ronald Reagan, he managed to preside over the country during the outbreak and height of the AIDS crisis, yet he failed to mention it even once. The LGBT community was ignored. It was much the same during the George Herbert Walker Bush administration for his single term. President William Clinton, on the other hand, spoke of both the health crisis as well as the community, although this was also the administration who negotiated the dreaded 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy for the armed forces, which still haunts us today. President Gorge Walker Bush, the eldest son of HW, did some good work with the AIDS crisis in Africa, yet he and his cronies managed to demonize the LGBT community at home, using us as a wedge issue every step of the way. During the campaign, President Obama spoke directly to the community, making promises, many of which have yet to come to fruition. But he has added his voice, and the wieght of his office, to the chorus of people speaking to the LGBT Youth, telling them that despite any bullying, life will get better. In a video from the White House, telling LGBT youth they have done nothing to deserve the bullying, and there is help available. This is something neither President Bush would have done, nor President Reagan. I can't even be sure President Clinton would have joined in, as his second term was mired in the scandal. But this President took the time to make the video, and post it on the White House YouTube account.
This has in fact been a period of highs and lows in the LGBT community, including the news of several youth taking their own lives. There has been the struggles with Marriage Equality, and the end of the DADT Policy. Our community has also been hit with the economic crisis with the rest of the country. Yes, I wish these issues were all behind us, but they are not. But I also remember a time when the leader of the free world has ignored us, or used us to whip of the fervor of his right wing followers. For me, to see a clip of the sitting President talking to members of our community, telling them they deserve more than what is happening now, and that they deserve love and respect, is, well, something I could not have believed coming from Washington, DC, 30 years ago, or even 30. So I, for one, would like to take a moment to appreciate the effort, and to say, 'Thank you, Mr. President.'
I have a couple of recent posts about this young man, and out artists whose music really talks to me. And not just me, as you can see in the recent interview by Jason Shaw, a friend of this blog. You can check out his interview here. But since I have posted about the fundraising for his new album, I thought I should run this, as he mentions that part of the money raised on Kickstarter will be going to the Trevor Project. Check out what he has to say.
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.
I just love the message from Secretary of State Clinton in this YouTube video. She speaks to the LGBT Youth and speaks to the tradition of equality of this country, and the amazing amount of change that has happened in the last 50 years for many minorities, and what we all hope to happen for the LGBT community.
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.
Broadway stars rock out in a celebration of life, in the wake of LGBT suicides across the nation. Please SHARE this original song and video to help send a message of hope and support. Available October 19th on iTunes, with all download proceeds benefiting The Trevor Project. (c)2010 Jay Kuo & Blair Shepard. Inquiries: jay@singoutlouiseproductions.com.
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.
Wow. This song just blows me away. I was checking out FaceBook, and came across a post from Adam Joseph and gave it a click. What I saw was a powerful video, and what I heard was a touching and strong song that says it all. The video includes some very talented young people, lending their gifts to this powerful piece.
Todrick, who made it to the semifinals of American Idol, wrote and sings this song with the conviction and style that sets it apart, and makes it one of the most incredible videos/songs I have heard for some time. I look forward to hearing more music from this talented young man.
Yes, with lyrics like Maybe today seems cloudy and gray, So full of sorrow and tomorrow seems so far away, But it gets better, but It gets better, And I know the world keeps throwing you strife, But Keep on strutting down this yellow brick road called life, Cuz it gets better, cuz it gets better, he manages to not only reach out to put a stop to bullying, but remind all who fall victim to it to find their strength and keep on living, cause it does get better. You can buy the song on iTunes here. You can check out Todrick on Twitter here, and on FaceBook here.
The below is a letter by the Governor of the state of Delaware read at a candlelight vigil this evening in Wilmington. It is awfully nice to have a high-ranking elected official who truly makes you proud to have taken part in the election process. Jack Markell is one such official. His caring and thoughtfulness are evident in the message.
In Memoriam: We Reject the Hand of Hate and Extend Instead a Hand of Help by Jack Markell on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 8:06pm
Dear Friends,
The saying goes that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness, but that is often easier said than done. In the face of bigotry, bullying, hatred, it is right to be angry, to be outraged. Even, to grieve - and we are, and we do.
The thought of Tyler Clementi being alone on that bridge, thinking that the only option to end the hate he experienced was to end his life, believing at the end that he was alone in the world, is every reason for anger and grief.
Because he was not alone in that pain. Across the country, children are made in so many ways to believe there is something inherently wrong with them, that they are somehow lessened by who they inherently are. Who carry home from school not only their books but the burden of bigotry and, when they arrive home and close their front doors behind them, may find more hate or harassment waiting on their computers or cell phones.
It’s so critical that those kids know that they are not alone. That there is hope and help – that there are lights in that darkness to welcome them. There are people who believe in their potential and know that they have so much to offer.
Tonight is a night to light those candles in this darkness. To show there can be more hope than hurt in the world, to tell those children they are not alone and to say that we reject the hand of hate and extend instead a hand of help.
Sincerely,
Jack Markell Governor of Delaware
Thank you, Governor, for speaking out about this issue, and supporting the young. While this issue might not be as popular as being a witch or Bozo the Clown, it certainly grabs my attention. For more about the Governor, his official website can be found here. His FaceBook page is here, which you can mark with a 'Like'.
To me, this professional rugby player is just a remarkable man. He plays in a rough and tumble sport that I really don't understand. He is a marquis name who regularly lends his name and time to many great causes. He splits his time between training for his sport, actual game time, his wife and family, and still finds time to make personal appearances, speak out and be heard.
Cohen has also never shied away from supporting his gay fans, with fan appreciation evenings and speaking to LGBT issues on his Twitter and FaceBook accounts, as well as any other venue he has available to him. He does have a rather large gay fanbase, and after looking at the photos I am sure you can tell why. But with Ben, it goes beyond his startling good looks. He recently donated a signed jock strap for the UK charity Gay Men Fighting AIDS. Ben always supports LGBT Youth, as is evident in this clip posted by him on the topic of the recent suicides.
For more about Ben Cohen, or to order your 2011 calendar [my order has been placed!], 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.
While not a 'It Gets Better' video, I thought I would end the run with out rocker Josh Zuckerman performing the classic song Hallelujah. He performs it live with Thomas Briant. I am a fan of Josh's music, and think he takes this song very seriously, and delivers. It touched me, and seemed like the thing to post now.
For more about Josh Zuckerman, 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.
"Then recently, tired of my inner struggle and yearning for rest, I finally gave up my turmoil and surrendered my thoughts to the Lord. And you know what happened? God kept me gay..." We're (Not) Straight is an amazing short film by Michael Dean Gray, made while he attended New England School of Communication. Gray, a Maine resident, talks about coming to grips with being gay in a society that disapproves, and holding on to his spiritual beliefs in a religion that also does not accept him. At a time when we are hearing report after report of LGBT Youth not making it through the tough times, how wonderful is it to see a strong group that does. Thank you, Michael, for making this film.
This clip was brought to my attention by Derek Nicoletto, and I couldn't be more pleased he did.
For more about Michael Dean Gray, check out his YouTube Channel 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. You might also share this short with them as well (here), letting them know they are not alone in the struggle, and it is a battle they can win.
"If you feel there is no one out there to talk to, they are out there, keep looking." Many know him as the gloriously out Marc St. James from Ugly Betty. I remember Michael Urie from his achingly tormented character in the 2005 film WTC View, a New Yorker dealing with life after 9/11. With this video you see a different side, the real Michael Urie, a man who cares deeply for others in the LGBT community.
For more about Michael Urie, check out his personal 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.
"Be patient and tough; some day this pain will be useful to you." That is something New York City singer Angelo tells himself all the time, quoting Ovid. To be honest, I just found Angelo through this project, and now that I saw his video, and listened to some of his music, I think it won't be the last time. And I like what he has to say in this video.
For more about Angelo, check out his official website here or his FaceBook page 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.
