It Gets Better Project

It Gets Better Project
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Name	It Gets Better Project
Formation	2010
Founders	Dan Savage; Terry Miller
Type	Nonprofit organization
Purpose	Support and uplift LGBT youth
Headquarters	United States
Region served	Global
Leader title	Executive Director

It Gets Better Project is a nonprofit organization founded in 2010 to support and uplift lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth through multimedia storytelling, advocacy, and community engagement. The initiative began as an online video grassroots response to publicized instances of anti-LGBTQ+ bullying and youth suicide, quickly growing into a global campaign involving celebrities, politicians, journalists, activists, educators, and institutions. It has since expanded into structured programming, partnerships with media platforms, and outreach to schools and community organizations.

History

The project was launched in 2010 by Dan Savage and Terry Miller as a direct reaction to high-profile cases such as the suicides of Tyler Clementi, Seth Walsh, and Jamey Rodemeyer, and followed public debates involving figures like Megan Meier's case and controversies surrounding policies by institutions including Don't Ask, Don't Tell discussions and responses from lawmakers like Sarah Palin. Early momentum came from viral contributions by public figures including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden (then former senator), and entertainers such as Lady Gaga, Ellen DeGeneres, and Neil Patrick Harris. Growth was aided by social platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, and coverage by outlets such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and CNN. Organizational development included formal incorporation, staffing, and establishment of regional initiatives engaging institutions like Harvard University, UCLA, and Gay-Straight Alliance Network chapters.

Mission and activities

The organization's stated mission centers on conveying hope to LGBT youth and reducing suicide through storytelling, mentorship, and educational resources. Activities include maintaining an archive of first-person narratives from contributors such as Barbra Streisand, Oprah Winfrey, Justin Bieber, RuPaul, and Stephen Fry; developing curricula aligned with school programs at institutions like GLSEN and PFLAG; and providing training for counselors and educators affiliated with groups like The Trevor Project and Human Rights Campaign. The project also convenes panels and workshops featuring leaders from Lambda Legal, GLAAD, and Equality Now to address legislative contexts including debates tied to laws like Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act-era discussions. Volunteer networks coordinate with local organizations such as Stonewall centers in the United Kingdom, the Youth Pride organizations in Canada, and community centers affiliated with Fenway Health in the United States.

Video project and media campaigns

The signature initiative is a user-generated video archive that solicits testimonials from public figures, professionals, athletes, and community members. High-profile contributors have included politicians such as Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Bill Clinton; entertainers like Lady Gaga, Ellen DeGeneres, Madonna, Beyoncé Knowles, Adele, and Demi Lovato; athletes such as Jason Collins and Megan Rapinoe; and cultural figures including Stephen Fry, Amy Poehler, and Tina Fey. Campaigns have coordinated with media events like Pride parades, award ceremonies including the Academy Awards and the Tony Awards, and television platforms such as Good Morning America and The Today Show. The project has leveraged partnerships with digital platforms including YouTube, Vimeo, and streaming services to amplify reach, and has organized themed campaigns around observances like National Coming Out Day and International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

Impact and reception

Scholars and public health professionals at institutions like CDC, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and university research centers at University of Pennsylvania and University of California, Berkeley have evaluated the campaign's reach and messaging effects. Media coverage in outlets such as The New Yorker, Time, and The Washington Post highlighted both the project's visibility and its role in shifting cultural conversations. The archive has been cited in advocacy reports by Human Rights Campaign and Amnesty International as evidence of increased mainstream engagement with LGBT youth issues. Impact metrics include millions of video views, partnerships with school districts in cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, and collaboration with municipal offices like those in San Francisco and Seattle on anti-bullying policy promotion.

Partnerships and outreach

The organization has established collaborations with nonprofits, corporations, educational institutions, and government agencies. Corporate partners and sponsors have included technology firms based in Silicon Valley and media companies such as Viacom and Warner Bros. Educational outreach has engaged networks like GLSEN, PFLAG, and The Trevor Project, while law and advocacy partners have included Lambda Legal, ACLU, and Human Rights Campaign. International outreach has connected with organizations such as Stonewall in the UK, Rainbow Railroad in Canada, and advocacy groups in countries including Australia, Spain, and Brazil. The project has also worked with cultural institutions like Smithsonian Institution affiliates and film festivals such as Sundance Film Festival to host screenings and panels.

Criticism and controversies

Critics and scholars have raised concerns about the campaign's limitations, citing commentators from publications such as The Atlantic, The New Republic, and Slate who questioned whether optimism-focused messaging adequately addresses systemic issues raised by organizations like Lambda Legal and ACLU. Some activists argued that celebrity testimonials by figures such as Oprah Winfrey and Lady Gaga can overshadow policy advocacy on issues including trans healthcare access and youth homelessness noted by National Coalition for the Homeless reports. Debates also emerged over commercialization and corporate partnerships with entities like Facebook and Google, and discussions in academic journals at Harvard Kennedy School examined the balance between outreach and structural change. Internal editorial decisions about content moderation and selection criteria prompted dialogue with contributors from grassroots groups including local Gay-Straight Alliance chapters and independent advocates.

Category:LGBT youth organizations