Chiming in...

This is the clearest description of bullying I have ever read.

http://cbpotts.livejournal.com/614994.html


And this is hopeful, part of the "It Gets Better" idea that Dan Savage so wonderfully promotes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhhTir-UQTQ

This one is beautiful and brilliant, made me tear up with joy for his happiness and his eloquence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDMBOIMD5dE
This one is AWESOME! This woman talks about The Trevor Project, a 24/7 help line for LGBTQ. Great message this woman has!

There are others on YouTube; a wonderful number of other clips on "It Gets Better"; all worth viewing.

My take on it? Sad, very sad that this young man felt so pressured and so helpless; so many have said it so much better than I can. But the thing is, DO something about it; don't just shake your head and move on. Surely there are people in your life who feel nearly equally hopeless. What can you do? Show more love to those around you. Pay attention to kids and young adults who seem withdrawn or isolated. Take the time to get to know people you pass by without a glance at work, at gatherings. Care. Be concerned. Reach out. BE more loving. Act on that kindly impulse; it doesn't take long at all and it's cumulative. If you cause one person to smile, chances are that they'll make someone else smile and then think about the chain that you started.

Energy naturally goes in loops and spurts, negative as well as positive. What you project, what you think, the expression on your face, the odd bits of thoughts running through your head DETERMINE the sort of energy you will have in your life and the sort of energy you project to those around you.

What would happen if we all started consciously being more kind, more loving to one another; if we started smiling at people on the street? If we reached out to those around us to let them know that we cared? What would happen if we worked as hard at being loving as we did at keeping current with TV or with the latest gossip? Quite simply, I think we could change the world.

But then, I've always been a cock-eyed optimist.

EDIT: Watching that second "It Gets Better" YouTube, I had to transcribe her quote. It made me cry, it's so awesome.

I’m an old warrior, I have my scars and I have counted my losses. But I am stronger than ever and I am not running away. I am here for the distance. You can depend on me. When your faith is weak, walk with mine.

Grandmother Parisha

The We Got Your Back Project

Boosting the signal some more and no, I do not believe this can be talked about enough.

Originally posted by neo_prodigy at The We Got Your Back Project

The lovely ladies tanyad and whereisjoy  are spearheading an amazing campaign entitled The We Got Your Back Project.

In light of recent events, it's clear these projects are needed more than ever. Case in point:

http://neo-prodigy.livejournal.com/863788.html
http://neo-prodigy.livejournal.com/861986.html
http://neo-prodigy.livejournal.com/862468.html

______________________

So… Joy E. came up with a nifty idea. A project where LGBTQIA youth, straight allies, adults and others could share their stories to encourage and strengthen youth who may be getting bullied, harassed and otherwise mistreated for being who they are. This project will make sure that lgbtqia of color, bisexual and transgendered folks will not be left out of the work of telling their stories and having their voices heard.

Yes, I know some of you are thinking… but there’s already a similar project out there! Well, yes there is but whereisjoy and I wanted to be sure everyone’s voice is heard, that everyone is able to share their story in the hopes it would give strength to others who are dealing with coming out, being out and bullied as well just for being who they are.

This idea is just a wee idea, barely out of the box and we need your help to make sure it thrives. What we need help with is:

Contributors; anyone who falls within the LGTBTQI & A spectrum, allies, anyone who has been touched by the injustice of having their voices silenced or drowned out by the masses.

A couple people to be editors; to help with reviewing content, posting and maintaining the site (which is now a WordPress site). Please note that the site is pretty bare at the moment, and we are adding content, submission guidelines and such over the next couple of weeks.

As the project grows, we hope to have someone who is media savvy, who can talk to the local LGBTQIA media, and deal with the issues that will arise from creating a project similar to one that already exists. Please note that we are not doing this to be in direct competition with the It Gets Better Project, but rather to supplement and give everyone a voice who may not feel as if they will be heard otherwise.

For now, please spread the word about this project, what we hope to do and most importantly the soft launch date of mid-October 2010. In the interim, please leave questions here, if you want your question discussed off site want to have a longer chat, email us at: wegotyourbackproject@gmail.com

So there’s the great idea, let’s make sure it not only learns to crawl but learns to soar.