The “It Gets Better” project shares positive messages for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender youth every day. The project supports LGBT youth by providing awareness and helping to fund suicide prevention and anti-bullying programs.
The movement has resulted in more than 30,000 entries and continues to grow every day, and NIC’s own GSA has decided to contribute their own video.
In the SUB, the club sat together, two at a time, from president and vice president, secretary to the other members and began to tell their stories. Their accounts explained how they were picked on in high school for being different and weird, but, how it does get better.
“After high school, it does get better. It’s easier for you to be yourself,” said James Majesty, 18, Harrison, Idaho, Art and Activism.
David Glenn, 24, Spokane, history said “We wanted to support the foundation, and we agree with what they have to say. It saves lives. It’s a great support to the LBGT community,” said James Majesty, 18, Harrison, Idaho, Art and Activism. “Faggot. Queer. Dyke. It even hurts to say that. No one ever needs to hear that.”
Majesty went on to say that to him, the “It Gets Better” project was about providing opportunities for him and his peers to relate their difficulties to people going through similar trials. The viewers of the video would have the tools they needed to live life happily.
“I want everyone to know it gets better, but you have to do it yourself. If you ever have a problem there are people who are there to help you,” said Danni Bain, 22, Coeur d’Alene, Theatre.
Bullying and harassment to the LGBT community is understated, and to many, hearing the stories of these students was a realization that students need help, and to students who don’t think they have help, there’s help everywhere for them. All they need to do is reach out.
Students need hope. It’s the opinion of the LGBT community that schools, parents, and churches aren’t providing help to their students, when that’s exactly where the comfort and support needs to come from. The internet has tools that helps provide a safety net for struggling LGBT youth. By providing these videos, it shows the youth that as they get older, it does get better. Celebrities and other people of prominence have contributed to the foundation, and it’s continuing to grow and try to save lives every day.
The program was created by Dan Savage and Terry Miller in response of the vast amount of suicides in 2010 by LGBT youth and those who were suspected of being gay by their peers.
Even if students are not a part of the GSA, they can still submit videos or stories to the “It Gets Better” project. Go to www.itgetsbetter.org for information on the “It Gets Better” project.
