Be the life raft for LGBTQ+ youth.

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Hi John,

These days, it’s easy to feel like we are drowning in hate. Misinformation, monstrous accusations, and obscene narratives about LGBTQ+ kids and the adults that support them pop up everywhere you look. It’s impossible to escape, especially for young people whose social life is predominantly online. Not to mention, the queer kids in rural areas who can only find supportive communities through a screen. They have to wade through the waters of hate just to find some air, if they’re lucky.

Every program, every zoom meeting, every workshop we provide at It Gets Better is a life raft, keeping these young people afloat.

Ale, one of our Youth Voices ambassadors, shared with our small group of queer kids from across the US that they’re the only LGBTQ+ person they know in their community. They expressed how liberating it felt to be in a room, even virtually, where they didn’t need to explain themself. To get to participate in a conversation about identity where they didn’t have to play the educator or advocate. They could just be a kid, talking to other kids like them.

Another one of our Youth Voices, Andrew, attends a very LGBTQ+ friendly high school and had the opportunity to do an It Gets Better presentation for their peers on National Coming Out Day. Andrew shared with me, “this experience has been one of the most meaningful parts of my year. Since joining [Youth Voices], I’ve grown so much both personally and as an advocate. I’ve found a community of inspiring people who care deeply about creating change, and that’s made me feel happier and more hopeful than ever before.”

Through my work at It Gets Better, the “bigger picture” feels more like a constellation of little wins, little moments of joy and connection. Every time I meet with a young queer leader, they become an ounce more confident, feel an ounce more connected to their community, gain an ounce more hope for their future. And they take that with them, sharing an ounce of joy and inspiration with everyone they come in contact with. The joy, the power, it spreads like glitter that you can’t get out of the carpet. No matter how hard you try, we’re still there, shining in the light.

But our programs can’t run without your support! Please consider spreading some of your own glitter by contributing to our Bigger Picture end-of-year campaign [[link removed]] so we can continue providing life rafts to these incredible young leaders who just want to share their voice.

Raelee Sweet (they/them)

Assistant Manager, Education

It Gets Better

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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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