Tag Archives: it gets better

WATCH: Joel Burns, 12-year-old Sam Maden discuss Red Sox ‘It Gets Better’ video on CNN

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Eight months removed from his viral speech, the gay Fort Worth councilman made yet another appearance on CNN last week — this time to talk about 12-year-old Sam Maden’s successful petition to get the Boston Red Sox to film an “It Gets Better” video. Watch the segment below.

“I’m proud of Sam and I think that his bold action is yet another example of people joining in this conversation about teenage bullying and suicide,” Burns said. “All of our kids’ lives have worth and even the children have a role in participating in that conversation. I’m so very glad that he did this.”

Also, Theatermania reports that Burns will guest-star June 25 in an off-Broadway production of My Big Gay Italian Wedding, at St. Luke’s Theatre in New York. Burns will officiate the marriage ceremony at the end of the play.

—  John Wright

WATCH: Youth First Texas’ ‘You’re Not Alone’ project, a peer-to-peer version of ‘It Gets Better’

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When members of Youth First Texas went to Austin in March to lobby for anti-bullying legislation, they did a better job of explaining the importance of such laws than any of the adults who were there. They were able to look senators and representatives in the eye and tell them personal experiences about having been bullied. Some of the youth told lawmakers they had attempted suicide, something that wouldn’t have happened if schools took bullying more seriously.

Walking back from the Capitol to a local church that was hosting lunch, the YFT members had an idea to make videos about their experiences. First, they sent copies to State Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, who shared them with other members of the Education Committee. But the videos also had another purpose — saving lives. While the “It Gets Better” videos are mostly adults telling teens they’ll get through their bad experiences in high school, YFT’s “You’re Not Alone” videos contain messages from LGBT youth to LGBT youth.

Watch the first set of videos from YFT’s “You’re Not Alone” project after the jump.

Continue reading “WATCH: Youth First Texas’ ‘You’re Not Alone’ project, a peer-to-peer version of ‘It Gets Better’” »

—  David Taffet

Apple employees join It Gets Better effort

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Ok. So the the “It Gets Better” videos aren’t new, and there are a ton of them out there.

But this one — from Apple and featuring Apple employees — is new to me, and it is, I think, one of the most touching I have seen.

—  admin

Dan Savage comes to the Kessler tonight

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The guy behind Savage Love and the “It Gets Better” campaign is coming to Dallas. Just like the poster says.

We wonder how he’ll approach this speaking engagement. Can he balance the sex talk from his podcast and syndicated column with the supportive message against bullying? Or is it one over the other? Personally, I’m just kinda hoping for anecdotes about his work for This American Life. Especially this piece.

 

 

—  Rich Lopez

WATCH: ‘It Gets Better’ — even in Texas

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Looks like some local folks are among those who’ve put together videos for writer Dan Savage’s “It Gets Better” project on YouTube. The project, launched in response to the recent rash of suicides by gay teens, is aimed at LGBT youth and features adults explaining that no matter how bad things may seem, they really do get better. Those who’ve recorded messages for the project include Resource Center Dallas’ Rafael McDonnell and Bret Camp, and the Rev. Stephen Sprinkle of Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth. Do you know of other local folks who’ve recorded these? If so, feel free to put the link in the comments.

—  John Wright