It Gets Better Project

So during lent, I decided instead of just giving something up, I would do something good too.  So I gave up shopping for stuff I don't need like clothes and books and... other things that I don't even notice the day after I buy it and donate it to organizations I had so much fun picking out.  The first few were just so coincidental it was creepy.  So the first Monday (I made all my donations on Monday...) I was downloading music and wanted to get some music from Adam Lambert on his season of American Idol.  I'm still a little bitter that Kris Allen won but it's fine.  Anyways, I was watching this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fizkZsAe3dU

because I thought this was such a neat idea.  He had to sing country so he did this crazy version of Ring of Fire (which I will never forget Katie Lorenz's Joan of Arc's rendition at our best concert ever).  Anyways, on the side, I saw his video for It Gets Better.  And I was like ooo what's that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_QVknV-M6U

I love Adam Lambert and I like that he took the time to make this video.  I like that he points out that people that bully others are ignorant and that he acknowledges that his situation is a little bit different because he has come into success but that he still gets harassed for being gay.  It infuriates me that people can be so mean to others over one aspect of their lives... that aspect being none of their business.  So then I went to itgetsbetter.org and this is what it says under the about section.

Growing up isn’t easy. Many young people face daily tormenting and bullying, leading them to feel like they have nowhere to turn. This is especially true for LGBT kids and teens, who often hide their sexuality for fear of bullying. Without other openly gay adults and mentors in their lives, they can't imagine what their future may hold. In many instances, gay and lesbian adolescents are taunted — even tortured — simply for being themselves.

Justin Aaberg. Billy Lucas. Cody Barker. Asher Brown. Seth Walsh. Raymond Chase. Tyler Clementi. They were tragic examples of youth who could not believe that it does actually get better.

While many of these teens couldn’t see a positive future for themselves, we can. The It Gets Better Project was created to show young LGBT people the levels of happiness, potential, and positivity their lives will reach – if they can just get through their teen years. The It Gets Better Project wants to remind teenagers in the LGBT community that they are not alone — and it WILL get better.

I think this is such a great message because it is a tragedy that teens are taking their lives rather than face their peers on a daily basis.  So I decided to donate to this organization and they sent me a t-shirt that I love wearing around Mebane where ignorance and prejudice runs rampant.