The It Gets Better Project

Rainmaker

This article was written by on Wednesday, January 12th, 2011 | has written 19 articles

It Get's Better

It Get's Better

Growing up isn’t easy for anyone and we all face the same struggles and troubles. Whoever you are, wherever you are, it’s sometimes hard to imagine a better life. This is especially true for Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth who are scarred to be who they are in fear of rejection, ridicule and bullying.

Asher Brown, 13; Seth Walsh, 13; Justin Aaberg, 15; Billy Lucas, 15; Tyler Clementi, 18; and Raymond Chase, 19 couldn’t imagine that better life and the all tragically committed suicide.

In September 2010, shortly after this rash of suicides, columnist, editor and ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ reporter Dan Savage (along with his partner Terry) decided to take action. The result was the ‘It Gets Better Project’.

The project uses You Tube to offer messages of hope for all LGBTQ teens and tells them that there is better life waiting and they are by no means alone. Within two months of its launch, five thousand video’s were uploaded with over fifteen million views. Among its supporters are Barak Obama, Jewel, Sarah Silverman, Matthew Morrison, Ellen DeGeneres, Ke$ha and Rob Thomas.

Rob congratulates LGBTQ teens for being so evolved at such a young age and have the courage of their convictions. He says that the people who bully them are scared of them and just aren’t as evolved at this early stage of life and that one day they’ll meet people who’ll love the things that make them different.

Check out Robs message here:

The ‘It Gets Better Project’ works alongside ‘The Trevor Project’ which is an organisation that offers support via a nationwide (US), 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, online support to young people through the organization’s Web site, as well as lifesaving guidance and vital resources for educators and parents. It helps people to deal with the issues they face and help promote acceptance of who they are and is dedicated to end suicide among LGBTQ youth.

Check out http://www.itgetsbetter.org/http://www.thetrevorproject.org/ for more details.

If you are an LGBTQ youth and need someone to talk to or any help at all with the issues your facing make sure your get help!

In the US call  866 4-U-TREVOR (866 488 7386)

Or check out the Trevor Project website for local resources:

http://www.thetrevorproject.org/suicide-resources/local-resources

Although ‘The Trevor Project’ is US only, don’t despair, there is a lot of help out there. Just Google for help.