171) It Gets Better

Late last month, sex columnist and all-around awesome guy Dan Savage launched the "It Gets Better Project" in response to the recent rash of gay youth suicides. Using YouTube as a way to reach often-sheltered gay teens is one of the best uses of the platform I've seen in awhile. It's a collaborative effort that mixes advocacy with personal messages from those who've survived the horror of high school. Best of all, it creates a direct portal to a target audience in need.

Savage explains to Entertainment Weekly:

“Schools would never bring me in or any gay adults in,” he says. “And their parents are often homophobic, which adds to their distress and isolation. It occurred to me that I was waiting for an invitation and waiting for permission, and I didn’t need anyone’s permission anymore because of YouTube and digital video and Twitter and Facebook. I could post a video and look into a camera and directly address these kids before they commit suicide, instead of feeling bad after they commit suicide.”

Dan Savage and his partner, Terry, of 16 years:


As a bonus, here's a video contributed by comedian Sarah Silverman that raises a poignant point: