Hey John,

What does Pride look like in 2025?

It looks like Roy Cohen and Jordan Pappas, the couple whose volcano-top dual proposal went viral earlier this month, partnering with us and sharing their It Gets Better story. Their love story reminds us that, amid so much chaos and cruelty happening in the world, joy is resistance, and queer love is something to be celebrated, not silenced.

John, you make it possible for us to share stories like this when you give today.
Can we count on your support?

It looks like stream teams, creators, and community coming together for us throughout June on Twitch, culminating in our annual Digital Pride Chosen Family event—part gift exchange, part GRWM (get ready with me), part honest conversation about what Pride means when the headlines get heavy. Catch it live this Thursday at 2pm ET / 11am PT on twitch.tv/itgetsbetter.

It looks like our Youth Voices ambassadors showing up in person at Pride events around the country—capturing images, marching for LGBTQ+ rights, and making memories with their peers. From Los Angeles, CA to Glen Rock, NJ to Galena, IL, they’re not just showing up for Pride. They are Pride. And we’re about ready to select a whole new class. Applications for our next class of Youth Voices close this Friday. LGBTQ+ high-schoolers ages 14–18? Learn more or apply at itgetsbetter.org/YVApplication.

It looks like CJ Garcia, a queer activist whose work helping “undocuqueer” people in crisis avoid deportation is more important than ever. Now you can put a face to what we’re seeing play out in the headlines thanks to the work of activists like CJ as profiled in our series Out in Front. It's a reminder that Pride doesn’t stop at celebration. It’s protest. It’s protection. And it’s power.

None of this happens without you.

Every activist, every stream, every story. We’re only able to uplift, empower, and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the globe because you believe in and FUND this work. 

And right now, that work couldn’t be more urgent. For LGBTQ+ youth, joy isn’t optional. It’s essential. It’s how they stay grounded, hopeful, and connected in a world that too often tells them they don’t belong. It's why we need your support today!

If we haven't yet managed to convince you, we’ve got one more reason to give: donate $75 or more by the end of the month and you’ll get your own copy of our award-winning conversation card game Perfectly Queer. Trust us. Your next hangout, game night, or awkward family dinner just got a lot more interesting and inclusive. 

Pride isn’t a moment. It’s a movement. Your donation today can help keep it going.

Thank you for everything you’ve helped us build.

Ross W. von Metzke (he/him)
Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
It Gets Better

It Gets Better 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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