It Gets Better Project

Yesterday’s post was ridiculously self-absorbed and I had dreams last night of people coming at me wearing this T-Shirt:

[photo credit]

So, today, enough about me and more about the It Gets Better Project (and my sincere apologies for having my head shoved up my ass). I haven’t had a chance to fully explore the entire site, but the concept is amazing, and it’s something that needs to be done. Though I wasn’t suicidal in my teens because I was gay, I was suicidal in my teens… and nobody should have to go through that.

I am a long-time reader of Savage Love and now an avid listener of Savage Love Podcasts. Despite his often crude approach, Dan Savage has some brilliant insight into love, sex, sexuality, acceptance, and life. It takes a strong man to talk about what he talks about, when he’s up against conservative douches that no doubt were often the bullies he faced when he was younger.

Dan posted his own video with his husband, Terry, and for me, it totally personalized him from his usual harsh and witty self, and just made him a human gay being. Someone to relate to. Someone who, hopefully, some young gay kid out there will relate to, and will be inspired that life does get better… even if you are bullied in school for being gay.

Despite my mental illness during high school, I was never bullied. Mostly because I was good at putting on a face. I just succeeded in everything I did and was good to people, and luckily they were good back. Had I come out in high school, maybe things would be different. But I didn’t even know I was gay until I was in my early twenties (though in retrospect, I was head-over-heels in love with my grade 4 teacher, but really, who isn’t?)

Kids need more support. I am a huge supporter of children and youth who suffer from psychiatric disorders, and I’ve done videos and spoken at events and offered my support to individuals, and it has paid off big-time. These kids are starving for people to relate to, and are just looking out for that person who got through what they’re going through.

When I was a kid, I never in my life imagined living past 21. I just couldn’t fathom it. Now, I am functioning, happy (in spite of many adversities), and am blessed with amazing family and friends. Life is good.

Let’s help these kids out.