Dark Monday • Kristin Chenoweth & Anna Kendrick

As we come up on New Year's Eve, I was thinking of what music might be right for the occasion. It was through this process that I decided there might not be too many songs from Broadway shows that might say for me what I'd like to say to all who stop by this blog than "For Good" from the musical 'Wicked'. The show had music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, based on a 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire. It is a prequel to 'The Wizard of Oz', giving insight into the was the relationship between the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. The song I feature here talks about how people (or witches) touch out lives, and change us "For Good". This is Kristin Chenoweth, Broadway's original Glinda, and Anna Kendrick, performing at a 'TrevorLIVE', raising funds for the Trevor Project. This is Kristin and Anna winging "For Good".

'TrevorLIVE' is a signature semi-annual event of The Trevor Project, the nation’s leading provider of crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. TrevorLIVE brings together top entertainers and corporate leaders to support Trevor’s life-saving, life-affirming work for LGBTQ youth in crisis. For more about the Trevor Project, visit the official website. You can also 'like' them on Facebook, and 'follow' them on Twitter.

No H8 Campaign Promo

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.

It Gets Better - Broadway Speaks Out

Members of the Broadway & NY Theater Community came together to share their stories that "It Gets Better." Those interviewed were: Aaron J. Albano, Michael Arnold, David Beach, Brad Bradley, Selby Brown, Adam Brozowski, J.R. Bruno, Kevin Crewell, Jim Daly, Kurt Domoney, Bernard Dotson, Ben Franklin, Ben Gettinger, Tony Gonzalez, Eric Gunhus, Bryan Scott Johnson, Jenny Kanelos, Raymond J. Lee, Jeremy Leiner, Jose Llana, Bobby Martino, Tim McGarrigal, Danny McNie, Jen Namoff, Chris Nichols, Lindsay Northen, Rory O'Malley, Kate Pazakis, Alex Quiroga, Brian Charles Rooney, Ben Sands, Doug Shapiro, Kate Shindle, Gerard Salvador, Derek St. Pierre, Steven Strafford, Juan Torres-Falcon, Andre Ward, Thom Christopher Warren, Laurie Wells, Corey West and J.B. Wing. The stories are stirring and emotional, and I am grateful they have shared them.





For more about Broadway's It Gets Better project, 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.

It Gets Better - Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert

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.

It Gets Better - Jake Walden

"What's important is who you are."

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.

Tommorow Will Be Better - Sectretary of State Clinton

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.

Dark Monday - It Gets Better on Broadway

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.

Ben Cohen Cares - Deeply

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.

Josh Zuckerman - Halelujah

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.

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 - Michael Urie

"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.

It Gets Better - Angelo

"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.

It Gets Better - SIRPAUL

"My way of dealing with being depressed was to turn to my music or to art, or to some sort of creative outlet." That is just one of the thoughts found on this video by singer/songwriter/producer SIRPAUL in response to writer Dan Savage's challenge to let LGBT Youth know "It gets better." SIRPAUL is a regular topic of this blog, cause I am love his music. He was great in concert, and this video rings so true.





For more about SIRPAUL, 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 - Richard Cortez

"I came out in the 7th grade, and that's when the taunting and traumatizing on behalf of my peers toward me began and it didn't really end until I left high school." That is how the story of Richard Cortez begins. A post featuring the singer/songwriter ran last month, for I really enjoy his music. But it is his own life experience and hope for the future that Cortez shares in this clip, his answer to the request put out by writer Dan Savage in response to a recent increase in suicides by youth bullied because they were perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.






For more about Richard Cortez, 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.