It Gets Better

I know I have mentioned Dan Savage on this blog before - again, I'm a huge fan. In response to another teen who recently committed suicide because he was bullied at school for being gay, Dan has started a project called the It Gets Better Project.  The goal of this is to help LGBT teens who feel isolated and are bullied at school to know that it does get better.   The goal is to give kids hope.  It is really easy to be an isolated kid who is tormented daily and think "this is it -- this is all life has handed me" and to think that ending the pain is the best and most viable solution. 

I wasn't a kid struggling with my sexuality but I was a kid who was horribly abused in middle school.  I was a kid who thought the only way to deal with that pain was to end it all.  I know now just how wrong I was and if I could go back to 12 year old me and tell her that it does get better, I would do it in a heart beat.  Here is a way for happy, healthy LGBT adults to reach out to kids and help them. 

I wish there wasn't a need for such things.  I wish that all of us could be more loving and compassionate and stop the madness around hating someone just because they love someone but we aren't there yet.  Until we are -- let's help the kids that need it today.  Let's remind them that life is worth fighting for and it does get better.

Comments

[Karin]

I watched the video. What a powerful message for anyone having a tough time of it in school, for any reason. So simple, it gets better. All the more reason for young people to have role models in their lives, mentors, camp counselors;)...

[Katie]

I LOVE that you mentioned them - our LGBTQ network at work actually does a mentoring program similar to this (I get to help) and it is an amazing experience. Has actually brought me to tears. What a great idea - will look into his group!