This Mother’s Day tell the Boy Scouts you support Jennifer Tyrrell & all moms, gay & straight! http://www.glaad.org/mothersday
We love this inclusive ad from JCPenny that depicts a two-mom family. Just in time for Mother’s Day!
HISTORIC: Barack Obama is the first sitting President to publicly support the freedom to marry for LGBT Americans. Thank you, Mr. President!
Please share this with friends and people you love.
“The most successful people are the ones that build a strong foundation with the bricks that others throw at them.”
John F. Kennedy Middle College High School’s GSA had about 6 consistent members last year. After visiting one of the club’s meetings, I realized what the GSA lacked in numbers they easily made up for with passion; a need to create an accepting unified campus. Yet, their peers agreed that while acceptance was certainly necessary, there just wasn’t a bullying problem at JFK.
A year later, three members of the GSA were nominated and approved by the district to run for prom royalty. Twins Vanessa and Elizabeth Landeros had their hearts set on King and Queen, respectively, and David Crown for King. With the posters being printed and pasted to the school walls, prom session was in full swing and the competition was rearing with excitement.
Then Vanessa and Elizabeth’s prom posters were destroyed. The GSA’s rainbow flag was ripped to shreds. The day before prom, David’s poster was found soaked in the restroom, with his straight running mate’s face left dry.
It’s on this day I returned to John F. Kennedy Middle College High School. As I entered the GSA meeting, I was shocked. The meeting was packed; last year’s numbers had increased four fold. I admittedly expected to meet with disappointed students, but the ones I faced were proud and hopeful. David, Vanessa, and Elizabeth were determined not just to continue running, but to win Prom royalty and show their school that the bullying had only made them more proud.
“You think you’re hurting me? You’re not. You think it’s funny? It’s not. You think you’re cool? Definitely not. What you did only make me stronger. It lets me know that you use your time wisely to think about me, my sister, and David. Us gay people have the heart of a warrior and will stand up for our rights. All we bring to this world is love and your hate can’t defeat that.”
And then there was the surprise. The school’s student leadership became proud allies, teachers vigilant, and even the quietest students reached out to express their solidarity. Their peers responded with encouragement, and David’s new posters expressed support for Vanessa and Elizabeth. The GSA’s voice grew to muffle that of the vocal minority. What began as three students reaching for a crown became a movement for LGBTQ pride and against bullying.
And then they won.
Congratulations to Vanessa and Elizabeth, the first twin lesbian Prom King and Queen. You made it better!
-Kim Trinh
Communications Intern
The Trevor Project
There are over 1,800 LGBT students attending Brigham Young University, which is consistently ranked as one of the most unfriendly campuses for LGBT students in the United States. Here’s their moving message for the It Gets Better Project.
Help us spread this message far and wide: If you’re ever bullied or being harassed and need someone to talk to, we’re just a phone call away: 866.488.7386. Call us 24/7, 365 days a year.
“I’ve never been around so many well-informed, articulate, passionate young people. They want to improve the world, and that’s very inspiring. I’m proud every day to be a part of that.” -Daniel Radcliffe
Watch the It Gets Better special tonight at 11/10c on MTV and Logo! See how it gets better for 3 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender teens.
Catch the It Gets Better special on MTV February 11th, at 10/11C. Here’s a sneak peak of Vanessa opening up to her mom about her sexuality and her dreams for the future.
January 25 is National GSA Day! Learn how you can join the celebration at: www.gsaday.org.
Want to see this marriage equality PSA from Australia air on national television in the U.S.? If so, support the It’s Time | Marriage Equality campaign and spread the word!