The one thing politicians can't legislate against is queer joy! So let's keep it alive!

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Hi John

Last month, I had the honor of spending time in Los Angeles with 10 of the most exceptional young LGBTQ+ people I’ve ever met. We talked about serious topics (politics, identity, and the future) and some not-so-serious topics (though if you ask them, they take Chappell Roan VERY seriously).

But no matter what we discussed, one thing shone through: their joy. Being together, a group of ten queer people from around the country, was one of the most joyful experiences I’ve ever witnessed.

Joy is a superpower. It’s what keeps LGBTQ+ youth thriving, defiant, and full of life. With legislation targeting our very existence on the rise, youth may be facing relentless attacks, but no law, politician, or hate can strip them of their joy.

Welcome to the Joy Rebellion. This year, with so many of our rights hanging in the balance, LGBTQ+ youth are choosing joy — not as an escape but as a bold act of resistance. With It Gets Better by their side, they’re using their joy to change the world and light a path forward for all of us.

That path includes grants in schools and communities nationwide. Since 2021, It Gets Better has distributed over $1.3 million to youth-led projects, empowering tomorrow’s leaders by improving life for LGBTQ+ students today. It also includes our sixth cohort of Youth Voices — 10 extraordinary young advocates building life skills and forming transformative bonds with queer peers across the country. And it expands to more digital safe spaces on Twitch, TikTok, and YouTube, where we are the largest LGBTQ+ youth-focused organization on each platform.

Now we need you to join the joy rebellion.

Help us raise $150,000 by year's end to fuel our life-saving work in support of LGBTQ+ youth. Joy is a right — and together, we'll fight to protect it. [[link removed]]

And in the spirit of centering youth voices, I want to introduce you to Jeremy, one of our 2024-2025 Youth Voices ambassadors.

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Hey John As an activist and Youth Voice, I experience queer joy just by working with It Gets Better and being around so many other queer youth. It’s an environment I don’t have at home, but being able to be in a community with so many fantastic activists, I feel incredibly lucky, and I’m excited to see what we can do in the future.

Members of It Gets Better's Youth Voices Class of 2025 capturing pics on disposable cameras at this year's Youth Summit.

We’re out here showing the world what it means to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights, and to believe in the possibility of real change. We know that nothing can stop us. Our inherent rights, our self-worth, and our power cannot be given or taken away. When I see how many people are in this fight with me, that’s joyful. It’s inspiring. And when you donate to It Gets Better, you invest in young leaders like me.

Join the Joy Rebellion and support It Gets Better with your donation today. We have a fight ahead of us, and finding sparks of joy along the way is the fuel that’s going to keep us going.

We need you in the joy rebellion. Donate early and know you're making a huge difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ youth [[link removed]].

Can we count on you?

Rae Sweet

Senior Coordinator, Education

Jeremy T.

Youth Voices, Class of 2025

It Gets Better

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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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