Revel and Riot and It Gets Better

At this time, in the United States, there is a huge deal being placed on homosexuality and bullying, especially with the pending removal of the 'Dont Ask, Don't Tell' policy in the military, and all of those terrible suicides that took place due to bullying of gay teens. I'm sure you remember the Purple Shirt day that took place at the end of September in remembrance of lives lost too early, a day I personally feel we should have never had to have.

I am a huge LGBTQ rights activist in the Vancouver community. For any of you that don't know, I currently sing in the GLASS Youth Choir, which is a social justice choir based in Burnaby. Our ultimate goal is for justice to come to people who deserve it, we sing for everything from Breast Cancer Awareness to poverty to, of course, LGBTQ rights. The choir started as Gay, Lesbian, and Supportive Singers (GLASS) and while we may have taken out the acronym and decided to put our efforts into other things too, this cause is close to my heart. If you want more information, here's the GLASS website. It's a bit out of date, but it gives a good insight into what we do, and why we do it.


I check this website literally every day for updates on news from around the world regarding things in the LGBTQ community. Revel and Riot is a site dedicated to getting the word out on the wrong doings, and the good things, going on in equality of all kinds, but mostly with a focus on LGBTQ rights and marriage equality in the USA. Sometimes I leave this website enraged at things going on in the world, but sometimes I leave it feeling on top of the world.

Recently, I left it feeling sky high happy at a project going on on Youtube, and on its own website. This project is called "It Gets Better Project" and it's people from all over the world who are telling teens, especially gay teens, that it gets better, that LIFE gets better, and you don't need to end your life because there are people out there to help and support you. It Gets Better Project website has all the videos from people in little hometowns to major celebrities showing their support for LGBT youth. They ask you to take this 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 took the pledge, and I'm asking you to take the pledge too. No youth should ever feel like they need to kill themselves for being who they are. If you agree, PLEASE go to the website, and PLEASE show your support to the kids who have no one to turn to. Tell your friends and family... this is important.


Blog and be happy.

Kyleigh.