Press
Published on October 26, 2010 by Jeffrey Young | Bloomberg
Changing Attitudes
“It’s always easier to change behaviors than it is to change attitudes, and that’s what the federal government does and that’s what it’s trying to do in this case,” she said before the announcement
The government is responding to “what we sensed was a growing problem within schools,” Ali said. The civil-rights office received more than 800 harassment complaints during the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, she said.
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Published on October 22, 2010 by Dan Glaister | Guardian.co.uk
Savage said yesterday: "I think we've reached a meaningful tipping point culturally. Obama made a video and took sides with all sorts of gay figures. I think it's very powerful. Obama is in a position to do more than offer hope, he can bring change. Now all we need is the Queen to come out and say something."
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Published on October 25, 2010 by Peter Mongillo | Statesman.com
Savage launched a YouTube channel that has since evolved into a website, itgetsbetterproject.com, and encouraged gay and lesbian adults to contribute videos sharing their own stories of encouragement. Since September, the project has received thousands of submissions, including many from celebrities such as Tim Gunn of "Project Runway," who relates the story of his own attempted suicide as a teenager, and Chris Colfer of "Glee." According to the project's website, videos there and on YouTube have been viewed more than 10 million times. Last week, both President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton contributed taped messages denouncing bigotry and hatred, and performers from several Broadway shows recorded a song in support of the project. On Wednesday, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation encouraged people to wear purple and turn their social media profile pictures purple as a way to honor the teens whose lives were lost and take a stand against bullying. Word of "Spirit Day" spread via social media. Events took place in several cities, including Austin, where supporters gathered for a vigil in front of City Hall.
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Published on October 25, 2010 by Schott | The New York times: The Opinion Pages
Days earlier, Mr. Savage had blogged about the suicide, and a reader had written: “My heart breaks for the pain and torment you went through, Billy Lucas. I wish I could have told you that things get better.”
Mr. Savage said he felt the same way. But how to tell them? He gives talks at colleges regularly, but not at middle schools or high schools. “I would never get permission,” he said, blaming a system of “parents, preachers and teachers” who “believe they can terrorize gay children out of being gay as they grow up.”
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Published on October 25, 2010 by Emma Ruby-Sachs | Huffington Post
But it doesn't matter if Obama's approach is politically correct.
Every time his administration stands up and defends an offensive and bigoted law, he sends a message across the country and the world that being gay is a weakness, a problem and a reason to be treated with less respect than everybody else. He tells families and their children that disdain and abuse towards gay people is just fine.
He's the one telling gay kids they're just not good enough.
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Published on October 24, 2010 by Ellen Lee, Benny Evangelista | SFgate
Tim Gunn of "Project Runway" produced a clip, as did Adam Lambert of "American Idol" and Zachary Quinto of "Star Trek." Started by author Dan Savage, they all share the same "it gets better" theme and were inspired by the recent spate of teenage suicides brought on by anti-gay bullying. At the end of the videos, they send troubled teens to the Trevor Project, a support hot line and resource.
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Published on October 23, 2010 by Kerry Eleveld | Adovocate
However, his video was a signal that some realization seems to have crept in based on the shocking and inescapable spate of queer tragedies — including heart-wrenching suicides and horrific acts of violence — that preceded a blistering couple of weeks for the administration. Valerie Jarrett delivered a speech at a Human Rights Campaign event about bullying that landed with a thud after Dan Savage excoriated the White House for co-opting his words without effecting real political change. Then Jarrett fumbled a softball interview by intimating that one suicide victim had made a “lifestyle choice.” President Obama himself faced protests in Miami and Boston from LGBT and HIV/AIDS activists. A federal judge’s injunction on “don’t ask, dont’ tell” dominated front-page headlines and forced the Pentagon to administer new orders stating it would “abide” by the suspension on discharges.
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Published on October 22, 2012 by Gil Kaufman | MTV.com
The President releases video in support of the anti-bullying campaign, urges gay teens to embrace their differences and rise above.
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Published on October 22, 2010 by Laura Meckler | Wall Street Journal Washington Wire
Mr. Savage said Friday morning on CNN that he appreciates the message and believes it will mean a lot to young people. But Mr. Savage said he wants to see Mr. Obama match words with actions. He referred to the administration’s decision to support, in court, both the Defense of Marriage Act and the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that bars gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the military.
“The president of the United States has the power to do more than assure LGBT kids that it will get better,” Mr. Savage said. “The president of the United States and his administration have the power to make it better.”
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Published on October 22, 2010 by Andrew Sullivan | The Atlantic (Daily Dish)
Dan Savage should be beaming with pride about what he started. Here is the president of the United States reaching out to gay kids being bullied in their teenage years.
It's beautifully crafted and gently put. I think it's the first time in history that a US president has spoken directly to gay Americans in support from the White House. Which makes it a milestone.
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