#ItGetsBetter: Hope for LGBTQ+ Youth
The It Gets Better Project became a lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth—using video testimonials from adults to combat suicide and offer hope that life improves after adolescent struggles.
The Origin
Dan Savage and Terry Miller created It Gets Better in September 2010 after several LGBTQ+ teen suicides. The initial YouTube video shared their own struggles and assured queer youth that life gets better after school.
The project went viral. Thousands of LGBTQ+ adults and allies made videos sharing their stories, struggles, and current happiness—demonstrating that survival and thriving were possible.
The Impact
The campaign:
- Received 50,000+ videos from people worldwide
- Reached millions of LGBTQ+ youth
- Featured celebrities, politicians, and everyday people
- Became cultural touchstone for queer resilience
- Influenced suicide prevention approaches
The Trevor Project and other organizations amplified the message, integrating it into crisis intervention.
The Criticism
Critics argued It Gets Better:
- Placed burden on youth to wait for adult freedom
- Didn’t address bullying/systemic issues
- Ignored that life doesn’t always get better without change
- Was feel-good activism without policy push
- Centered privileged (white, gay male) narratives
The critique pushed for complementary action: making it better NOW through policy, not just promising future improvement.
The Evolution
The project expanded to:
- Advocate for anti-bullying legislation
- Support GSAs (Gay-Straight Alliances)
- Fund LGBTQ+ youth services
- Address intersectional struggles (race, class, disability)
- Push systemic change alongside individual support
The movement demonstrated how digital storytelling could save lives while acknowledging storytelling alone isn’t enough.
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