Posts Tagged ‘Dan Savage’
Yes, It Gets Better
Monday, October 4th, 2010
As Ellen DeGeneres said, “One life lost in this senseless way is tragic. Four lives lost is a crisis.” The tragic wave of suicides among young people who have been targeted because of their sexuality has prompted many news stories. “And these are just the stories we hear about. How many other teens have we lost? How many others are suffering in silence? Being a teenager and figuring out who you are is hard enough without someone attacking you.”
Many of us felt alone and isolated in high school as we tried to figure out who we were in the midst of so many physical and emotional changes. Hopefully, we had someone we could speak with to let us know we are perfect just the way we are.
For many youth struggling with their sexuality, reaching out can be a frightening idea. In his video, Dan Savage reminded young people, “It Gets Better.” It’s a YouTube project where he and his husband sat down in front of a camera and told their stories about their horrific high school experiences and, more importantly, how they both survived, thrived and have gone on to live happy, healthy, joyful lives. As Savage said about the project, “I felt it was really important that, as gay adults, we show them that our lives are good and happy and healthy and that there’s a life worth sticking around for after high school.”
This is no longer a gay issue; it’s an issue of saving our young people from suicide. Homophobia has consequences — we are losing too many young people everyday. We cannot afford to lose one more young person to suicide.
What will your message be to a gay youth?
Yes, it gets better.
Mary Anne
If you know of a young person struggling with their sexuality and/or in need or suicide prevention, please visit the Trevor Project.