YouTube Launches #ProudToLove Video
At YouTube, we believe that everyone has the right to love and be loved. We strive to make YouTube a place where all communities can feel proud to express themselves and connect through video. That’s why we’re proud to stand with the LGBT community and support equal rights and marriage equality for all.
JOIN IN: Who, what, or why are you #ProudToLove?
Upload a video or share a post with #ProudToLove in the title so others can find it.
Alabama Teacher Caught Ranting About ‘Queers’ and 'Fat Butt Michelle Obama’
From Mashable:
When Alabama high-school teacher and football coach Bob Grisham went on a rant against “fat butt Michelle Obama” and “queers” in a classroom, little did he know that an unidentified student was recording audio of his remarks.
Animated LGBT Short Film “Arrival” Aims to Raise $20,000 on Kickstarter [Interview]
New York City-based artist Alex Myung has started a Kickstarter project to raise $20,000 to create Arrival, an animated short film with a focus on the theme of coming out. Equalitopia sits down with Alex to discuss the project.
Currently, the project has raised almost $4,000 from 74 different backers, averaging out to about $52 per backer. Keep in mind that Kickstarter projects are “all or nothing,” meaning that if the project doesn’t reach its funding goal by Wednesday, February 20th, no funds will be transferred to the project.
Equalitopia: Could you tell us briefly about the storyline of Arrival?
Alex: Arrival is about a young boy growing up in the countryside with his mother, who moves to the city to pursue his dreams. Along the way he falls in love with another boy, but he struggles to connect with people as he contemplates coming out to his mother.
What inspired the idea for the film?
Alex: The story is inspired by a past relationship that I had with someone. It’s a bit different from what actually happened to me but anyone who knows me on a personal level knows what’s real and what’s fictional. The characters each ended up being mixtures of various people but I can see myself in both of them.
With almost $4,000 pledged so far, how are you feeling about the Kickstarter campaign?
Alex: Most projects get a major bulk of their donations during the last week of the funding period so it’s tough to say! With that said, I think only a week in, having $4000 is pretty good! It’s stressful and exciting at the same time haha.
Have you done any other projects like this?
Alex: I really enjoy personal story telling, especially since I can put more actual emotion into it. My first film, Juxtaposed, was another personal story about being adopted. In a way this movie could be an extension beyond it.
How do you feel about the portrayal of LGBT people in the film industry?
Alex: I think there’s a lot of really amazing lgbt cinema out there, but I will certainly wait for the day that a film won’t have to be labeled as a queer film, it’ll just be a film that happens to star gay characters. I wanted to make sure that while my film is propelled by the process of coming out, it’s still mainly about a boy who knows what he wants, but is too afraid to take the steps necessary to get there.
Why should people donate to your film?
Alex: This is a really really unique project, there aren’t any other animated films (long or short) that focus on this subject. I think my film will have the chance to touch and affect many different groups of people, regardless of their sexuality; the movie is about choice, and we’ve all had to make tough decisions. Plus, there’s tons of cool rewards you can get haha.
Thank you everyone for taking interest in my film! Please consider donating and spreading the word! I appreciate any help you can spare me.
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Pledge your donation to get Arrival funded
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Browse more: LGBT Kickstarter Projects
It Gets Better - Parents of Transgender Children
The first “It Gets Better” video of its kind: Featuring parents from PFLAG’s support group for families of transgender children sharing their personal struggles to understand their child’s needs and find support for both themselves and their families.
(via Huffington Post)
Dad gets “Born This Way” tattoo after son comes out as bisexual
After being so nervous about coming out to his father, Dylan comes home one day to find that his father got a “Born This Way” tattoo on his arm to show his acceptance.
From the video’s description:
“So: my brother came out that he was Bisexual last year and it was one of the hardest things he’s ever had to do and one of the most courageous. He was most nervous about coming out to my old school Italian father who can be a bit of a hardass but mush at heart. So my brother decided to get born this way tattooed on his wrist in gagas handwriting after he met her, for obvious reasons, and it meant and still does a lot to him. My dad yesterday before Dylan came home for spring break got born this way in Italian tattooed on his wrist to show his acceptance and deep love for his only son who he is so proud of every day. I love my family.”
So this is the brother haha my name is Dylan. My sister posted this video through my account on her phone. I can’t believe this happened! I am so grateful for my family and I hope that everyone watches this and takes from it that acceptance is possible! You were born this way!
(via Reddit)
14-year-old asks Maryland lawmakers to vote against gay marriage [audio]
In this audio clip, a girl visits the Maryland’s Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on her 14th birthday and asks lawmakers to vote against same-sex marriage.
“…I really feel bad for the kids who have two parents of the same gender. They have no idea what kind of wonderful experiences they miss out on…”
(via ThinkProgress, Peter Frank)
Gay California teen Eric James Borges commits suicide, weeks after posting an It Gets Better video
This is Eric James Borges. He posted this It Gets Better video last month. Yesterday, he committed suicide. Eric, 19, was an intern with the Trevor Project, a suicide prevention organization for LGBT youth.
Jim Reeves, Vice President of Queer Landia, had met Eric personally. He reports about his suicide:
Word began spreading late Wednesday among shocked and saddened friends and acquaintances. Not accepted by his birth family, EricJames was striking out on his own, trying to deal with his personal situation, but also wanting to help others. Sadly, even involvement with the Trevor Project was not enough to help him navigate the turbulent waters of young adulthood.
Update: Stephnie Davison, a classmate and good friend of Eric's responded to this blog post by sharing a bit about Eric:
He was an amazing person who was bullied throughout his entire life. He was beaten at home for being gay and kicked out multiple times. His mother never approved of him being himself. When he tried to be Eric, he couldn’t. He was an artist, a friend, a boyfriend, and a truly amazing individual. EricJames Borges will always be remembered and he was my friend.
[…]
His mother disowned him, and refuses to talk to him. I’m not sure that she knows he even committed suicide tbh.
8 year old tells Michele Bachmann: “My mommy’s gay but she doesn’t need any fixing.”
“Video of Michele Bachmann trying to get her photo op in with my 8 year old son. It’s hard to hear but he leans in and tells her that his mom is gay and she doesn’t need fixing. GO ELIJAH! Love that look of shock she gets.”
