Many LGBT youth can't picture what their lives might be like as openly gay adults. They can't imagine a future for themselves. So let's show them what our lives are like, let's show them what the future may hold in store for them.
Happy Thanksgiving from the It Gets Better Project
We all have much to be thankful for. In just over two months, over 6,000 It Gets Better videos have been posted, and a growing community of millions of people from around the world are watching these videos, and sharing them with friends and loved ones.
We wanted to share with you one of our favorite videos so far -- it comes from Seattle fathers who wanted to share you their story -- with their families:
Thanksgiving can be a tough time for struggling LGBT teenagers. All too often LGBT teenagers can’t envision that one day they, too, can have an amazing family. We see this sense of hopelessness in some of the videos you have sent in.
So when you sit down at your dinner table, whether you are straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, bring up the “It Gets Better Project.” Ask your loved ones if they’ve been to the website to watch some of them. You simply never know what kind of an impact this will have.
See if your family is willing to shoot your own video together. We need to show that there is tolerance and acceptance out there -- that they just need to talk to people.
All of us at the Project wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving. In particular, our thoughts and hearts go out to the families of Justin Aaberg, Billy Lucas, Cody Barker, Asher Brown, Seth Walsh, Raymond Chase, Tyler Clementi and Brandon Bitner who will not be able to share this holiday with their loved ones. The It Gets Better Project is, and will always be, for them.
Everyone deserves to be respected for who they are. I pledge to spread this message to my friends, family and neighbors. I'll speak up against hate and intolerance whenever I see it, at school and at work. I'll provide hope for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and other bullied teens by letting them know that "It Gets Better."
Dear friend, Let me start by telling you that I love you. No, I don't know you at all. I might have passed you at the mall or caught a glimpse of you driving down the road, but chances are you live far away from me, in another state or even in another country. I love you just the same. Even though we are distant, we are not so different, you and I. This is a picture of me when I was a teen. You can tell by looking at me that I felt different, unhappy. You see, like you, I have felt intense pain. I've even had fleeting moments when I wanted to commit suicide myself. I suspect that's something that everyone thinks about at one time or another, if they're honest with themselves. I know that sometimes, pain can become so heavy to carry around that you might just think killing yourself is the only respite from how bad you feel. But don't do it. This is why.
I'm glad I was bullied. There, I've said it. I've broken the politically correct cardinal rule; yes, Lady Gaga is gagging right now. Now, I didn't enjoy it at the time. I was terrified, of course. I cried at night. I spent days in actual terror. I was young, blond, white, and wearing green Dolphins shorts, leg warmers, and a lovely chiffon dance top with a leotard to an predominately minority inner-city school. ...So why am I happy about it? Because I'm me. You see, I like being me. It's been a blessed life.
Almost six years ago, I witnessed one of the more touching moments between a father and daughter. It just happened to be between Ella Robinson and her gay father, who also happened to be Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church. After presenting her father with an award at our Family Equality Council dinner, the bishop, with tears streaming down his face, said the one thing that is singularly true for every parent I know: "Being Ella's father has been the best and most important job I have ever had."
Just remember: you are unique. There's only one of you. If you ever worry that you are different, just think how boring it would be if we were all the same! You will take pride in expressing your individuality. You'll march in parades. You will fly the flag of pride. You'll witness states and countries around the world embrace change and embrace equality. You'll do your bit. You'll be part of it. You may even marry and start a family someday. They are your choices. You lost nothing.https://secure.itgetsbetter.org//cms/index.php?S=414eb0afa11a4cf8b8c0a0c11c237b5555689f0b&C=publish&M=entry_form&weblog_id=4
Broadway performer John Carroll (Women on the Verger of a Nervous Breakdown, Follies) recalls being relentlessly tormented by bullies as a kid and how he escaped and gained confidence by studying dance.
