Metro Weekly

Dan Savage’s 3-week-old video experiment for gay teens is a big success [video]

”Honest to God, we put up our video and thought ‘Are we going to be the only ones?‘ … I get invitations to talk at colleges all the time. But I would never get an invitation to speak at a high school. I would never get permission to talk to a gay 13-year-old boy about how great it can be to live as an openly gay adult. And then I thought, ‘Why am I waiting for permission, or an invitation, when there’s YouTube?”’
Dan Savage, a famous gay advice columnist, author and speaker, remarking about how the “It Gets Better Project” has been a huge success. Most of the messages posted to his experimental YouTube channel are from everyday people. But a number of well-known celebrities have contributed, as well. Savage (who is also a sex and relationship advice columnist) tells the San Francisco Chronicle that some of the nation’s school officials don’t want to refer LGBT students to the YouTube channel because some of the videos contain mature content. Savage said he hopes video contributors will convey more about their “better” adult lives rather than concentrating on the misery they experienced in school. The site now links to over 700 videos. (SFGate.com) (YouTube/ItGetsBetterProject)

Chris Colfer, actor from ”Glee:”

Tim Gunn, fashion advisor and TV star from ”Project Runway:”

Comedian Kathy Griffin:

Jake Shears, singer from Scissor Sisters:

Ciara, singer, and La La, actress and DJ:

Ke$ha, singer:

Stephanie Miller, talk show host:

Zachary Quinto, actor in ”Star Trek” and ”Heroes:”

Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism

These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!