LGBTQ news and entertainment
The It Gets Better Project premieres their newest digital video series called “Writing Our Own Dictionary.” The 4-part series is an entertaining and informative digital program where we hear first-hand from LGBTQ+ folks about what their labels (or lack thereof) mean to them. Continue reading “Writing Our Own Dictionary – New Video Series From It Gets Better Project”
TikTok’s NYCGayDad (aka José Rolón) is utterly charming in this short video wherein he chats with his 18 year-old self about where life will lead him. Continue reading “Viral Video: Talking To Your 18 Year Old Self”
President Joe Biden makes appearance during It Gets Better Pride event
This is not President Biden’s first video for the It Gets Better Project. In 2010, when the It Gets Better campaign was just getting its start in response to a string of suicides from LGBTQ+ youth, the then Vice President shared inspirational words and a message of support for the LGBTQ+ community — see his original video here. Second Gentlemen Doug Emhoff told viewers: “When times are tough and the whole world feels like it’s closing in, the best thing you can do for yourself is just reach out to someone. Being strong, being brave, is to know when to ask for support.” Emhoff added: “I promise you, there are people out there who love you just as you are — people who recognize that the qualities that make you unique and special are the characteristics that make our whole society beautiful and diverse… don’t ever feel like you’re in this by yourself because you’re not. Remember: it will get better.”
For the last decade, the It Gets Better Project has upheld a mission to empower, uplight and inspire the next generation of LGBTQ+ youth. In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, the organization celebrated Pride by hosting their first digital Pride event which garnered over 1.3M impressions. This year, they aim to reach even more LGBTQ+ youth around the globe while promoting and securing funds to sustain the life-affirming services the organization provides. The 2021 talent line up features appearances by Kalen Allen, Mj Rodriguez, Laverne Cox, Aly & AJ, Zachary Quinto, Vincint, and Pabllo Vittar among others. Day One streamed live from the organization’s YouTube channel today, Wednesday, June 23rd and Day Two will air tomorrow, Thursday, June 24th from 11:00 AM PT – 3:00 PM PT.
Make sure to check in for year two of It Gets Better: A Digital Pride Experience today beginning at 11 a.m. PT. This year’s live stream extravaganza includes Pose star Mj Rodriguez, Emmy nominee Laverne Cox, celebrity fashion designer Christian Cowan, international superstars Pabllo Vittar and Calle y Poché, pop duo Aly & AJ, dance and fitness stars Caleb Marshall and Mark Kanemura, and so many more. Plus, you won’t want to miss a special It Gets Better message from President Joe Biden and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. Hosted by YouTuber/comedian Kalen Allen featuring Monique Heart in an epic drag transformation, come celebrate Pride in style and help us uplift, empower and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the globe.
Click here to watch along and view the full schedule and lineup. And tell your friends and family to come join the Pride celebration!
Joel Burns today and in 2010 as he gave his ‘It Gets Better’ speech (screen captures)
The morning of the city council meeting Burns read of 19-year-old Zach Harrington taking his own life in nearby Norman, Oklahoma, due to homophobic bullying. Burns used his announcement time during that meeting to share some of his own coming out story (including being bullied in high school) and then segued to the growing epidemic of suicides by young LGBTQ people. The 4-term city councilman’s prepared remarks originally included his own history with having had suicidal thoughts, but as he shares with Ennis Jr. in the video below, he stopped himself. “I realized, oh my god, my parents are probably watching this right now and I never told them I thought about committing suicide.” While Burns was still in that council meeting, news outlets began reporting on his story. 
Former Fort Worth city councilman Joel Burns (screen capture)
You can watch Burns’ powerful 2010 speech below.
Amazing changes have happened in the world for LGBTs in the five years since Dan Savage launched the It Gets Better Project.
The question for today is: what will you do to help continue making things better over the next five years?
Raise you voice. Share your journey.
Pepsico owned snack company Frito-Lay announced earlier this week to team up with the It Gets Better Project to raise money for LGBT youth.
Donate $10 to the It Gets Better Project and in return you get your own bag of rainbow colored Doritos (inspired by the LGBT Pride flag) sent to your door.
Ram Krishnan, the chief marketing officer of Frito-Lay, stated that the partnership reflected the brand’s commitment toward LGBT equality.
“Time and again, our consumers have shown us, there really is nothing bolder than being true to yourself and living life to the fullest,” said Ram Krishman, chief marketing officer for Frito-Lay, in a statement. “With Doritos Rainbows chips, we’re bringing an entirely new product experience to our consumers to show our commitment toward equal rights for the LGBT community and celebrate humanity without exception.”
All of the funds raised go to It Gets Better Project, and good thing – the campaign sold out of bags of the tasty chips in one day! That’s $100,000 going to help LGBT kids.
Of course, there were the usual haters who can’t stand anything positive happening to the gays.
Breitbart columnist John Nolte wrote:
Sales will go to It Gets Better, a non-profit group started by the infamous anti-Christian bully and bigot Dan Savage. Savage has demanded Republican presidential contender Ben Carson to “suck his dick.” He’s demanded the same from Republicans Herman Cain and Mike Huckabee. Savage went on a smear campaign against Rick Santorum to destroy Santorum’s reputation in Google searches. The hate Savage has hurled at conservative Christians is practically endless. The rainbow color of the Dorito chips represent the LGBT rainbow flag, a symbol now widely seen as one of anti-Christian hate and bigotry.
There were also hateful things written over at Twitchy and Free Republic.
Isn’t that amazing? A company works to raise money to help kids, and they gotta slather their dark, ugly hate on it.
What you gonna do? Haters gonna hate.
Me? I’m reaching for a bag of Doritos 🙂
The It Got Better Project closes out it’s second season of inspiring stories with the one and only RuPaul.
From It Gets Better:
This collection of stories from notable members of the LGBT community is meant to build on Project testimonials and further empower and inspire audiences throughout the world with themes of courage, perseverance, personal growth, and hope — giving context to when and why and how “it got better.”
We began this project with the goal to educate, save lives, and change minds. We believe the stories that we’ve collected are capable of doing just that. So we are very proud to wrap this season with the incredible RuPaul, following moving stories from Nate Berkus, Janet Mock, Rosie O’Donnell, Andrew Rannells and Portia De Rossi.
From executive producers Dan Bucatinsky, Lisa Kudrow, Brian Pines and Dan Savage.
Via L/Studio – created by Lexus – an eclectic collection of unique perspectives meant to inspire you. Surprising, intelligent, and original work from the worlds of film, art, culture, design, science, and beyond.
Sean Chapin, the activist behind the Change.org petition that convinced the San Francisco 49ers to be the first NFL team to make an ‘It Gets Better’ video, has questions. He says the team needs to address the remarks made by linebacker Ahmad Brooks and nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga last week in the days before the Super Bowl.
Brooks and Sopoaga both denied participating in the video, and then, when they were shown it, said they never knew it had anything to do with gays, and then appeared to want to distance themselves from it.
In light of all of this, Sean Chapin has questions.
Their comments led Dan Savage to pull the video from the ‘It Gets Better’ site.
Savage then tweeted: “We’ve removed the #49ers #ItGetsBetter video from our website. #homophobia #NFL #horsesh*t”
Another wrinkle in the discussion around San Francisco 49ers and gays unfolded yesterday as two players, linebacker Ahmad Brooks and nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga, were being questioned by reporters about Chris Culliver’s anti-gay remarks.
In light of Brooks and Sopoaga participation in the 49ers ‘It Gets Better’ video last year, reporters assumed they would have an broader perspective on the issue. However, now there is a new chapter to the 49ers anti-gay story as Brooks and Sopoaga both denied participating in the video. Even when they were shown it, they stated they never knew it had anything to do with gays.
At first, Brooks and Sopoaga, approached by USA TODAY Sports, denied being part of the project.
“I didn’t make any video,” Brooks said. “This is America and if someone wants to be gay, they can be gay. It’s their right. But I didn’t make any video.”
When told USA TODAY Sports had seen the video and he was in it, Brooks replied, “I don’t remember that. I think if I made a video, I’d remember it.” He was shown the video on an iPhone.
“Oh, that. It was an anti-bullying video, not a gay (rights) video,” he said.
When told that studies show that the majority of teens who are bullied are harassed over sexual identity issues, Brooks thought for a second. “I know that. I know that,” he said. “Okay, you’re right and I’m wrong. Are you from one of those New York newspapers?”
Unfortunately, someone apparently forgot to deliver the message to the players that this was a video that supported gay rights.
Sopoaga, too, denied making the video, even while teammate Will Tukuafu, who overheard the question, tried to refresh his memory. “Yeah, you made that video, remember?” Tukuafu said.
“No,” Sopoaga said. “I never went. And now someone is using my name.” Sopoaga was shown the video. “What was that for?” he asked.
To ask teens to stop bullying other teens because of sexual identity, he was told.
“Yeah, OK,” he said. Would you like to comment on it, he was asked. “No,” he said.
Multiple players wanted to be in the video, USA Today adds, but only the most intimidating players were chosen.
Dan Savage tweeted last night: “We’ve removed the #49ers #ItGetsBetter video from our website. #homophobia #NFL #horsesh*t”
For the record, here is the video that Brooks & Sopoaga “forgot” they participated in:
(source)