Hi John,
I remember the day Dan Savage called me and told me he wanted to make the first “It Gets Better" video. Dan, whose books The Kid and The Commitment had shown me what a brighter future could be like, had seen news reports about young LGBTQ+ or perceived LGBTQ+ kids dying by suicide as the result of being bullied, and he wanted to DO SOMETHING. He asked if I could help.
That call changed the course of my life.
In rapid succession, a YouTube page was launched, then a website, followed by thousands of “It Gets Better” videos and stories. Jane Lynch, Tim Gunn, George Takei and Zachary Quinto also answered the call and paved the way for other celebrities and President Obama to get involved.
Those first days of It Gets Better were hard work, but it was fun. It was a turning point in history that has made a lasting impact. I couldn’t be prouder of what It Gets Better has accomplished.
Take a look back at 14 years of It Gets Better through our timeline.
Today, It Gets Better turns 14. We’ve gone from a grassroots movement to a global nonprofit that, in the last three years alone, has awarded nearly $1.5 million dollars to school-based initiatives to create more inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ students through 50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices. Dozens of LGBTQ+ kids from around the United States have taken part in our Youth Voices program, which makes things better, and safer, for LGBTQ+ youth around the world.
We received an Emmy Award, a Webby, some Shortys, and the It Gets Better book of essays became a bestseller, but it’s never been about accolades for us. It’s something Dan said that stays with me to this day.
"Queer kids need LGBT adults to put this period of their lives into perspective. They need strategies and coping mechanisms that we all use to get through this.” He was right. We know LGBTQ+ youth with support structures and proper resources see a marked improvement in their mental health and are twice as likely to perform well in school. Queer kids NEED It Gets Better.
I now live in a conservative part of the country where the need for what It Gets Better does is clearer to me than ever before. LGBTQ+ youth have the ideas and the determination; they just need our community of supporters to rally around them so they can thrive.
Join me in saying happy birthday to It Gets Better and make a donation today. Every donation enables our staff to do this important and yes, life-saving work.
With gratitude for helping us make it better all these years,
Brian Pines
Board of Directors (founding member)
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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