On Sept. 23 writer Dan Savage formally launched the “It Gets Better Project,” a video series aimed at reaching LGBT kids to let ’em know school bullying will eventually end, and they’ll have greener pastures to look forward to. Yesterday the Gay-Straight Alliance Network formally launched the “Make It Better Project,” which, according to a release, will “give youth the tools they need to fight back against anti-LGBT bullying and make schools safer for LGBT youth” and “includes a website and YouTube channel where students and adults can upload video messages to share what they are doing to prevent suicide and make it better for LGBT youth in schools now.” So that won’t be confusing at all.
The former, a decentralized effort albeit headed by Savage, already has MTV and celebs like Darren Hayes (above) making videos, and video shoots taking place in cities around the country. The latter has, uh, Mike Diamond (below).
So now we’ve got two “better project” brands that will surely confuse people. But I guess that doesn’t matter? Because so long as these messages reach young kids, mission accomplished, yes?
edgyguy1426
Yes. The more resources that are out there, the more likely they will be found. And it’s a cliche thing to say but if it saves only one kid’s life, it’s a triumph in my book.
Ray
Agreed. It’s great to have any effort to help spotlight queer youth issues. I hope that beyond this initial effort, that we can continue to push for better support systems for queer youth. Ideally I hope we can get to a place where we are generating dialogue with young people and not just talking “at” them. They need to have a voice in this process.
Hilarious
It’s up to schools to wake up and stop bullying at it’s source.
Most teachers ignore it and some accuse the one being bullied of starting it.
I was the victim of this at least 3 times in school with teachers swearing up and down it was me giving them reasons to pick on me. They didn’t even know I was gay so I can only imagine how much worse it was for out gay kids.
These so-called 0 tolerance policies are a bunch of bs if they aren’t enforced by all of the faculty and staff and give students a safe place and way to voice their concerns about bullying.
Making the student who issues a complaint known to other students just makes them an even bigger target and they will be known very quickly due to student aids with large mouths.
Jackie
Thanks for the blog posting letting folks know about these projects! Not sure who Mike Diamond is (no connection to the Make It Better Project) but here’s where you can find more info:
Make It Better Project
Website: http://makeitbetterproject.org/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/makeitbetterproject
Youth don’t have to wait till they graduate to be happy and free from bullying & harassment. We can Make It Better Now. Make a video, join the nationwide Week of Action, fight back in your school, get involved.
JACKIE
GSA NETWORK / MAKE IT BETTER PROJECT.org
Kev C
When kids are being bullied in school, they should think about how much better Dan Savage and others have it and all will be well.
sam
I don’t get the bitchy tone of this piece. Why do these 2 well intentioned campaigns have to be pitted against each other? And what’s with the ‘uh, Mike Diamond’ comment? His video is funny and at least he’s taking action. I’d like to know what the writer of this piece has contributed.