Dear John —
Pride Month is a time for celebration, for visibility, for acknowledging the progress we’ve made and the people who helped make it happen. But Pride is also a protest, and we need all of you out on the front lines — because we are at a critical juncture for LGBTQ+ youth.
Many of you know It Gets Better from its groundbreaking social media campaign in 2010, which earned us an Emmy and a New York Times best-selling book. Over the last fourteen years, we’ve navigated turbulent waters, including a global pandemic, to become the world’s largest storytelling effort to empower LGBTQ+ youth. We've distributed nearly $1.2 million in grants over the last two years to middle and high schools in support of youth-led initiatives to create more inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ students. And we’ve graduated four cohorts of ambassadors from our Youth Voices program — LGBTQ+ young people poised to become the leaders of tomorrow by fighting for their peers today.
But today, we are facing a crisis the likes of which we have never seen. We are experiencing an unprecedented rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation targeting youth — something of which most of you reading are probably keenly aware. As this is playing out across the country, our youth are still trying to navigate high school, first loves, first breakups, coming out, and simply understanding who they are. They are being thrust into the spotlight by elected officials and other radical anti-LGBTQ+ groups at a time when they should feel protected and secure. It is indefensible and needs to stop.
Now through the end of June, every dollar you donate up to $50K will be matched by our friends at e.l.f. Cosmetics. John can we count on you to make a donation in support of LGBTQ+ youth today???
This Pride Month, and all year long, it is essential that we stand up and stand together. We must continue to fight for queer youth — to educate them, connect them to their communities, and ensure they are empowered to strive for a future with limitless potential. We are asking our allies to stay strong. We need to put forth a unified front against the forces that seek to diminish the intrinsic value the youngest of us possess.
We cannot do this without you.
So this Pride Month, please stand with us and fight for a future where we are all treated as equals. Your support is crucial — not just for LGBTQ+ youth, but for the future of It Gets Better and the LGBTQ+ fight for acceptance.
Remember — stay loud and stay proud!
Brian Wenke (he/him)
Executive Director
It Gets Better
The It Gets Better Project is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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