Thursday, 30 September 2010
Michael Urie Clip From The 'It Gets Better Project'
Found this wonderful clip whilst searching for current Ugly Betty related stuff: it's a short vid from Dan Savage's 'It Gets Better' project.
In it, Michael tells teens who are or consider themselves to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans-gendered people to 'keep looking' and to reach out to those who can help them, if and should they encounter bullying at some stage. He also explains that being from and growing up in Texas- which is predominately a conservative State in America when it comes to LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgendered) issues to name, he still managed to have a support network of friends, family that he could confide in and turn to.
Michael's words couldn't be more further from the truth- if you are a teenager who is experiencing bullying or problems because of your sexual orientation, don't keep living in fear. Talk to someone you know and trust, be it a friend, if you are on-line on a site such as Facebook, Twitter, perhaps you may feel it is easier to converse on-line your problems. That way, you'll know you have the support and get the advice you are looking for.
Bullies prey on and target those whose differences are seen as a threat to them, and as they can not accept those differences. But if you manage to withstand the verbal threats, taunts, it will be okay in the end.
Believe me, when you think it is going to get worse for you, ultimately 'it gets better' after the ordeal is over. Just like the name of the project.
Go Michael! :-)
*update: this video was made in response to recent cases reported in the U.S media that several teenagers, who were or considered themselves as being gay, had committed suicide
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Great video - wtg Michael.
ReplyDeleteThose words of encouragement could also be used for others who are being bullied for other reasons - being overweight, having a disability, not being smart etc. As someone who has had to live with it I can agree it does get better. It may never entirely go away but at some point you realize that regardless of what someone else says or does, they're not better than you.
In a way the bullies are hte ones with the problem - htey're the ones who have to belittle or hurt someone else to make themselves feel better. How sad is that?
I definitely agree with what Michael says about reaching out - you may just find support in hte unlikeliest of places.
Thanks for posting this Waiching
Lea :D
touche lea! i agree with you- bullying comes in all forms but also kids get picked on at school for different reasons. either because they dress differently, the way they talk, because of the colour of their skin, where they come from, the way they look i could go on and on.
ReplyDeletei know that michael made this video to promote the awareness of this problem, but i wonder based on what he said about growing up in texas and speaking of his experience whether he was bullied at school too.
i was bullied a lot back in high school- most of it was related to me being asian, and i loathed going to school because of it as i had to put up with a lot of crap from other kids, teens then. when i finally left school, i was happy that that ordeal was over.
hopefully, when someone, be it a teenager who thinks s/he is gay, lesbian or bi-sexual, trans-gendered at an early age sees this video, they will fully realise that as one gets older, and they accept themselves as being gay, lesbian, there is another part of society who will understand them for who- and not what they are as people and individuals and love them because of that.
oh and thanks! :-D
Here's hoping! I know I try and teach my nephews and niece tolerance. It has to start with us helping htem I think. Kids learn as they see and hear so if abuse and intolerance of others because of race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation etc is what they grow up with, not knowing any better, then the circle will never be broken.
ReplyDeleteI've been in a supermarket where a child of about 6 has made a comment about me and rather than admonish them, the mother just said "I know" and kept walking. God forbid anything should happen to either of them and they find themselves on the 'other side'.
I'm not saying it won't stop completely but if we all try and do our bit maybe it will help. I'm nothing if not hopeful...
And you're welcome :D
lea, people who make those crass comments are just deplorable in doing so and are no better and none the wiser. sorry to read that you experienced this problem.
ReplyDeletebut yes, i think it is up to us as individuals to make sure the next generation of kids do not end up as bigots or as hate-filled people. if they are being taught and learn about respect and tolerance especially at a young age, they will be at an advantage against those who aren't taught these things both at home by their parents and at school.