In September 2010, Dan Savage elevated a conversation with a powerful statement and by sharing his own story of coming out and the difficulties that faced him, but that ultimately “It Gets Better“. Savage was inspired to add his voice to the conversation after a rise in the number of young people taking their own lives as a result of bullying.
Inspiring over 50,000 people to create their own videos, viewed over 50 million times, and responding to the need for strong LGBT voices online, “It Gets Better” is an incredible example of a community providing resources to its youth on the platforms they’re using; growing a conversation in a language they speak.
This is the power of creators–putting themselves out there while sharing their own stories and experiences; they become a resource, in this case for the LGBT community. How we access and add to those resources has changed incredibly for both the community and allies alike. Recently released Facebook data says that support for the LGBT community is on the rise online and that those disclosing sexuality- or actually coming out on Facebook- has tripled in the last year alone.
While you may catch Michael Sam, Brendan Jordan, Caitlyn Jenner, or an episode of 1G5G on television, you’re more likely following them online. Their audiences see glimpses beyond what we would traditionally see in the media, while forums like Reddit allow for more in-depth questions and conversations.
This month we wanted to take a moment both to celebrate and thank creators and influencers for sharing their stories and being a resource. In turn they’ve helped make the LGBT community accessible to those looking for information and have questions that need answers. Representing yourself openly is something that many people struggle with, and you lead by example. For that and so much more–we thank you!
