Quoted - President Barack Obama for the It Gets Better Campaign

"Like all of you, I was shocked and saddened by the deaths of several young people who were bullied and taunted for being gay and who ultimately took their own lives. As a parent of two daughters, it breaks my heart. It's something that just shouldn't happen in this country. Now we've got to dispel this myth that bullying is just a normal rite of passage, that it's some inevitable part of growing up. It's not. We have an obligation to ensure that our schools are safe for all of our kids. And to every young person out there, you need to know that if you're in trouble, there are caring adults who can help. I don't know what it's like to be picked on for being gay, but I do know what it's like to grow up feeling that sometimes you don't belong. It's tough. And for a lot of kids the sense of being alone or apart, I know it can just wear on you. And when you're teased or bullied it can seem like somehow you have brought it on yourself for being different or for not fitting in with everybody else. But what I want to say is this: You are not alone, you didn't do anything wrong, you didn't do anything to deserve being bullied, and there's a whole world waiting for you filled with possibilities. There are people out there that love you and care about you just the way you are. And so, if you ever feel like because of bullying, because of what people are saying, that you are getting down on yourself, you've got to make sure to reach out to people you trust;  whether it's your parents, teachers, or folks that you know care about you just the way you are. You've got to reach out to them. Don't feel like you are in this by yourself. The other thing you need to know is things will get better, and more than that, with time you are going to see that your differences are a source of pride and a source of strength. You'll look back on the struggles you've faced with compassion and wisdom, and that's not just going to serve you, but it'll help you get involved and make this country a better place. It will mean that you'll be more likely to help fight discrimination, not just against LGBT Americans but discrimination in all its forms. It means you'll be more likely to understand personally and deeply why it's so important that as adults we set an example in our own lives and that we treat everybody with respect, that we are able to see the world through other people's eyes and stand in their shoes, that we never lose sight of what binds us together. As a nation, we're founded on the belief that all of us are equal and each of us deserves the freedom to pursue our own version of happiness, to make the most of our talents, to speak our minds, to not fit in; most of all, to be true to ourselves. That's the freedom that enriches all of us. That's what America is all about, and every day it gets better."

- President Barack Obama for the It Gets Better Campaign

Quoted: Mary Griffith on Religion and Her Son

“If no one had ever challenged religious authority, there’d be no democracy, no public schools, women’s rights, improvements to science and medicine, evolution of slavery and no laws against child abuse or spousal abuse. I was afraid to challenge my religious beliefs because that was the basis of creation—mine anyway. I was afraid to question the Bible or anything in it, and when I did, that’s when I became involved with PFLAG and realized that my son was a perfectly normal human being and there was nothing for God to heal because Bobby was perfect just the way he was.” - Mary Griffith on religion and her son.

For those who have no idea who Mary Griffith is, you need to watch Prayers for Bobby.  I wrote a blog on it several years ago.  It's about a very religious mother, played by Sigourney Weaver, who's life drastically turns around after her gay son commits suicide.  It can literally change your thoughts on gay people and God, for the better.

Post Secret Fridays - Issue 094

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.

 See More Secrets. Follow PostSecret on Twitter.

 Want to see older Post Secret Friday issues? Go here.

Post Secret Fridays - Issue 090

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.

 See More Secrets. Follow PostSecret on Twitter.

 Want to see older Post Secret Friday issues? Go here.

Read a special message from Frank Warren of PostSecret.com about him closing down the Post Secret App after the jump.

Post Secret Fridays - Issue 088

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.

 See More Secrets. Follow PostSecret on Twitter.

 Want to see older Post Secret Friday issues? Go here.

"What's Going On" Video Nears 8,000,000 Views

This video went viral last week.  It was all over Facebook, the blogoshphere, and practically all over the web.  It's poignant, meaningful, and it will make you cry.  It's heartbreaking that someone has to go through life feeling this way.  As parents, how can we allow this sort of thing to go on?  Was carrying your child for 9 months just a joke?

It really perturbs me to say this, but why would people condemn this video?  If you were to read some of the hateful comments people posted on this video, it would sicken you.  At least I hope it would.  

I don't get Christians, or the ones who say they "wholeheartedly" believe in God.  These same people mentioned God in their comments, yet added filthy language while posting their hateful messages at the same time.

People go so far as to say the video was a fake, that Jonah was crying fake tears and that he's just a "faggot" wanting attention.  Really?  Are you people that ignorant?  And if it was? So what!  You're still missing the message behind it. This goes on every day.  Wouldn't you want your kids to be upfront with you?  Not afraid to tell you anything.  Instead they hide in shame because you tell them, they're screwed up, need therapy or simply because carrying them for 9 months really was a joke.

Post Secret Fridays - Issue 083

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.

 

See More Secrets. Follow PostSecret on Twitter.

Join the 200,000+ people who have downloaded the new PostSecret App.

Want to see older Post Secret Friday issues? Go here.

Quoted - Zachary Quinto on Coming Out Earlier Today

"When i found out that jamey rodemeyer killed himself - i felt deeply troubled.  but when i found out that jamey rodemeyer had made an it gets better video only months before taking his own life - i felt indescribable despair.  i also made an it gets better video last year - in the wake of the senseless and tragic gay teen suicides that were sweeping the nation at the time.  but in light of jamey's death - it became clear to me in an instant that living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it - is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality.  our society needs to recognize the unstoppable momentum toward unequivocal civil equality for every gay lesbian bisexual and transgendered citizen of this country.  gay kids need to stop killing themselves because they are made to feel worthless by cruel and relentless bullying.  parents need to teach their children principles of respect and acceptance.  we are witnessing an enormous shift of collective consciousness throughout the world.  we are at the precipice of great transformation within our culture and government.  i believe in the power of intention to change the landscape of our society - and it is my intention to live an authentic life of compassion and integrity and action.  jamey rodemeyer's life changed mine.  and while his death only makes me wish that i had done this sooner - i am eternally grateful to him for being the catalyst for change within me.  now i can only hope to serve as the same catalyst for even one other person in this world.  that - i believe - is all that we can ask of ourselves and of each other." zq.

-By Zachary Quinto on October 16, 2011 8:26 AM

Post Secret Fridays - Issue 079

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.

-----Email-----
You're not alone. http://postpartum.net

See More Secrets. Follow PostSecret on Twitter.

Want to see older Post Secret Friday issues? Go here.

Post Secret Fridays - Issue 076

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.

The PostSecret App is now live for the iPhone. See details and sign-up for the future Android release: www.postsecretapp.com

See More Secrets. Follow PostSecret on Twitter.

Want to see older Post Secret Friday issues? Go here.