It Gets Better?

It seems as though there has never been a worse time to be a homosexual youth in America, and the recent wave of teen suicide brought on by bullying at the hands of their peers certainly supports this notion. The It Gets Better Project was established to help combat this problem. Now this organization has recruited a great deal of support from many noted and respected gay individuals like Ellen, Neil Patrick Harris and Chris Colfer from the hit show Glee. Not only that, other individuals with a vested interest in human rights have stepped forward to speak out on the matter - including US President Barack Obama.

The It Gets Better Project lists the following as their mission statement:

THE PLEDGE: Everyone deserves to be respected for who they are. I pledge to spread this message to my friends, family and neighbors. I'll speak up against hate and intolerance whenever I see it, at school and at work. I'll provide hope for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and other bullied teens by letting them know that "It Gets Better."

I agree with the aims of this campaign, but have one simple problem with the majority of videos and statements provided by people to support this project. It doesn't GET better; you have to make it better. I recognize that there are times when life can truly suck, and it seems as if nobody will ever understand you or accept you for who you are. However, in this age of information and technology there is always some means of talking to someone who can help you get through your problems. Chris Colfer speaks out about The Trevor Project, a 24-hour suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth. Forums can be very useful for addressing problems since you can talk to a variety of individuals in similar situations, but anonymity can be protected. I am typically a proponent of active, face-to-face communication... but at the same time, I realize that is particularly hard to do if you're not ready. Individuals who feel as though nobody will ever understand them should take advantage of these sources to learn that there are indeed people out there going through the same thing, who make it to the other side and see that life really does have more to offer than the taunting, bullying, harassment and hatred would have you believe.

What's more, the Make It Better campaign takes this notion one step further. While the It Gets Better Project seems to focus on support and encouragement (a necessary and applaudable notion), the Make It Better campaign has a decently organized website providing youth AND adults tools and means to help make the community around them a better place, supportive of all those who call that place 'home.'

The world can be a scary and angry place, and it often seems like it will never reach a perfect step. Just remember that if you don't give up hope, stay true to yourself and take an active hand in changing the world around you it will indeed get better.

Is God an Evil Dwarf?

First and foremost, let me begin by saying that I am a complete and total gleek. I enjoy the characters, the storylines (though getting tired of Rachel), and the music. For a former debater, the way the show argues for increased support of arts education is thoroughly appreciated.

However, the show also has the capacity to hit a number of highly-pressing social issues. The episode on faith which aired last night was just such an episode. In essence, Kurt faced a serious issue and was left to contemplate his own notions of faith. Kurt asks his fellow Glee-clubbers to explain how he could believe in a God that made him gay and encouraged his followers to hate him.

In light of the ridiculous amount of bullying cases being reported due to harassment of young homosexuals, this episode comes at a remarkably important time. The fact of the matter is that homosexuals are one of the most socially marginalized groups that is antagonized and oppressed at a ridiculous rate.

However, I'm not going to argue the issue of gay oppression. Instead, the very real problem of a lack of faith in the gay community will be the subject of this post. Kurt hit the nail firmly on the head with regard to spirituality, for himself as well as the majority of gays I have met.

I'm not intending on pushing religion down your throat... I don't believe in religion. Faith is a different notion entirely. The world is far too difficult to deal with on your own, especially when the world seems against you so often. Plus, I personally have a hard time believing that the majesty of this world is the result of a random accident. Religion is not a necessary component of life, but I believe faith in something bigger than yourself is.

For those who do not watch Glee... First of all, WATCH IT! It is thoroughly amazing. At the end of the episode there was a sense of recognition of the importance of faith... Pretty good for a network television show.

I am a firm believer of science, and have had many difficult times understanding how faith and science could play together. Care to discuss these ideas further? You had me at "fabulous hat."