Inspired by the recent suicide of queer kiddo Billy Lucas, sex columnist Dan Savage created the “It Gets Better” project, a series of video testimonials from the queer glitterati telling troubled kids that it does, indeed, get better.
Videos have been uploaded by a shit-ton of folks, including Savage and his partner Terry, the delightful Jake Shears (of Scissor Sisters fame), and my personal fave silver fox Tim Gunn (below). Far from being the normative narrative of “Get thee to a big city and find your one true love” these testimonials are complex and variegated. Dan and Terry are the partners, but Gunn speaks of his attempted suicide, Shears of fantasy. And Kathy Griffin! and cry-voice Ke$ha?!? And hundreds more from everyday queers just like you!
You know how we at the GP always harp on and on about how it’s not just gay marriage that needs to be fought for but a whole host of LGBTQ issues? This is what we’re talking about, and we’re ecstatic it’s getting the response and views on YouTube and elsewhere. Hopefully that will translate to real $$$$ for OutYouth, The Trevor Project and orgs like it all across the globe.
This article appears in October 1 • 2010.