Hey John,

Doomscrolling lately? You’re not the only one. It’s been a tough year online for LGBTQ+ youth — constant negative headlines, trolls, and cyberbullying. And as It Gets Better’s community engagement manager, I can tell you firsthand: our comment section isn’t always kind.

But for LGBTQ+ youth in particular, social media is also a valuable place to connect with community and learn more about themselves and their identities. When youth can’t attend a Pride event in real life, we host Digital Pride online. When they're confused about a feeling or trying on a new label, we have resources like imi.guide and our glossary as valuable learning tools. And when youth need to know they’re not alone,  we provide real stories from real people. 

Today, we’re sharing one of those stories with one of our community’s biggest allies: director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, Spy, and his latest film, The Housemaid). In a conversation with our board member Tracy Gilchrist, Paul talks about why he supports It Gets Better, why allies need to speak out, and why he’s choosing to take a stand for LGBTQ+ youth.

He’s backed that support up with action: he and his wife Laurie pledged $300,000 to three LGBTQ+ youth orgs earlier this year, including It Gets Better, and in October he won $54,000 for It Gets Better on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. 

Providing stories and safer spaces that LGBTQ+ youth may not be able to access in real life is one of the ways we uplift, empower, and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the globe. Every day, we do our part to cut through the noise, share positive stories, and connect in ways queer and trans youth need now more than ever.

John, if you wish you'd had representation, resources, and an online community like this growing up, please donate to our Bigger Picture year-end fundraising campaign so we can keep putting positivity at the forefront. 

Olivia Laura (she/her)
Senior Manager, Community Engagement 
It Gets Better

It Gets Better is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. 

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