Friday, October 22, 2010

It Gets Better Project reaches 10 million views

Today, following the announcement that over 2,000 videos inspired by the It Gets Better Project have reached 10 million video views on ItGetsBetterProject.com and YouTube, the project’s founder, Dan Savage, is sending the organization's first email to encourage thousands of supporters to join a nationwide suicide prevention and anti-bullying effort by signing a pledge at ItGetsBetterProject.com.
The It Gets Better Project is more than just a collection of incredible and inspiring videos; it engages people in communities across America, from all different backgrounds to take action.
In the coming weeks and months, the It Gets Better Project will be calling on individuals from across the country, from all walks of life, no matter their sexual orientation, to take a stand against LGBT bullying and help to support suicide prevention services in our nation’s schools and communities.
Below is the full-text version of Dan Savage’s email announcing the campaign to supporters, including the pledge:

Subject: Making it Better Today

Dear Friends,

More than 2,000 videos, 10 million views, and emails from kids all over the country letting us know that they're watching and taking hope.
We can’t believe it.
Four weeks ago, Terry and I recorded the first It Gets Better Project video in the aftermath of the recent suicides of bullied gay teenagers across the country. We created a YouTube channel and invited other LGBT adults to share their stories with LGBT kids. We were worried that our video might be the only one on our "channel."
But 24 hours after we posted the first It Gets Better Project video to YouTube, six more videos popped up.  Two days later, there were a couple of dozen more. Within a week, there were 1,000. Now there are more than 2,000 videos that have been watched more than 10 million times.
These videos do not solve the bullying crisis in this country. It’s why I ask you today to join me in this nationwide grassroots campaign by signing our It Gets Better Project pledge:


Everyone deserves to be respected for who they are. I pledge to spread this message to my friends, family and neighbors. I'll speak up against hate and intolerance whenever I see it, at school and at work. I'll provide hope for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and other bullied teens by letting them know that "It Gets Better."
When a 15-year-old gay kid commits suicide, he's saying that he can't picture a future for himself with enough joy in it to compensate for the pain he's in now. By sharing our stories and our joy, LGBT adults and our allies are letting bullied and isolated LGBT kids know that there is hope—that things will get better for them, just as they got better for us. That they will know love and know joy.
The It Gets Better Project is not just a place where LGBT youth can view videos of role models, but it’s a place where our allies—straight people, religious people, friends and family members—can come together to stand up for the human rights of America’s youth.

Dan Savage
It Gets Better Project