It Gets Better Project

It Gets Better
Formation2010
FoundersDan Savage and Terry Miller
Type501(c)(3)
HeadquartersLos Angeles, CA
Area served
Worldwide
CEO and Executive Director
Brian Wenke
Websitehttp://itgetsbetter.org
Formerly called
It Gets Better Project

It Gets Better is an Internet-based 501(c)3 nonprofit with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth around the globe.[1] It was founded in the United States by gay activist, author, media pundit, and journalist Dan Savage and his husband Terry Miller on September 21, 2010,[2] in response to the suicides of teenagers who were bullied because they were gay or because their peers suspected that they were gay. Its goal is to prevent suicide by having gay adults convey the message that these teens' lives will improve.[3][4] The project includes more than 50,000 entries from people of all sexual orientations,[5] including many celebrities;[6] the videos have received over 50 million views.

A book of essays from the project was released in March 2011.[7] The project was given the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Governor's Award at the 64th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards for "strategically, creatively and powerfully utilizing the media to educate and inspire," according to the academy's chairman and CEO Bruce Rosenblum.[8]

  1. ^ "It Gets Better". It Gets Better. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  2. ^ Wyatt Buchanan (October 21, 2005). "Marriage can be right for us all, says Dan Savage. But let's not get carried away with monogamy". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on January 6, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  3. ^ Parker-Pope, Tara (September 22, 2010). "Showing Gay Teens a Happy Future". The New York Times.
  4. ^ Hartlaub, Peter (October 8, 2010). "Dan Savage overwhelmed by gay outreach's response". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
  5. ^ Noreen Fagan (February 8, 2011). "Dan Savage talks teens, straight people and It Gets Better". Xtra!. Archived from the original on August 14, 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  6. ^ "President Obama: It Gets Better". YouTube. October 21, 2010.
  7. ^ Furlan, Julia (March 22, 2011). "The 'It Gets Better Project' Turns the Spotlight on Anti-Gay Bullying". WNYC. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  8. ^ ""It Gets Better" to Get Governors Award". Television Academy. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2012.