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.
Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays join the It Gets Better Project
The Phillies and Rays are the latest sports teams to join the Project and give hope to struggling LGBT youth.
Last Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Rays hosted a community taping at Tropicana Field where fans could participate in the video. The Phillies premiered their video last Friday night at their LGBT community night at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies' video includes former AL Cy Young pitcher and ten-time All Star Roy Halladay, five-time All-Star second baseman Chase Utley, two-time All-Star outfielder Hunter Pence, outfielder John Mayberry Jr., and pitcher Mike Stutes.
The Rays' video features two-time All Star outfielder Johnny Damon, outfielders BJ Upton and Sam Fuld, second baseman Sean Rodriguez and manager Joe Maddon. In the video Damon shares a story about how he was consistently bullied when he was younger for stuttering but was able to overcome it.
Check them out then share them with any Phillies or Rays fans you know:
The videos are just the latest in a series of professional sports teams who are stepping up to the plate to give hope to LGBT youth. A few weeks earlier the Seattle Mariners brought together Seattle professional athletes in soccer and football. The Mariners joined the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants who have all lent their support to the Project.
A few other sports teams and athletes are also planning on joining and we welcome their additions so LGBT sports fans everywhere know their team and players have their back too.
*Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of MLB Advanced Media, L.P. All rights reserved.
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.
