Did you wear, or change your profile picture, to purple today?
If YES then you probably know what I’m talking about.
If NO then do you know why people did, or see some one who did?
Today, in the name of Spirit Day - that links the NoH8 campaign and also in memory of everyone gay person who has committed suicide - I wore and changed my online profiles to purple.
But Why?
But Why?
To raise the awareness of the fact that in this world, there are still people being persecuted for being gay or lesbian or just different. Being bullied so much that they believe that the only way out is to end there life which is really sad.
The whole point of this campaign was to raise awareness of these issues. To make people aware of the fact that even in this world, there is still hate and persecution going on. Not over differences in religion, but in differences in sexuality.
Unfortunately there are still a few immature individuals in this world who believe that we can change the world tomorrow by throwing money at a problem. Money doesn’t always change the world, it's awareness and understanding that does. Not understanding is what leads to bullying.
Some believe as a LGBT community, we don’t need to be making these statements and raising awareness. That there is one thing that will change people minds tomorrow and that by doing this we can make this world a better place....that’s not going to happen.
The news of these suicides shows that there is still along way to go before we change the attitudes of people and stop the hatred. The point of today was to get people to ask questions, to find out more and to show our support for the people who are feeling that no body cares about what they are going through.
Even if I only spoke to 10 people about this campaign today, it’s 10 people who didn’t know yesterday, who might then tell 10 people. That won’t be everyone, but it’s a start.
It’s very easy to forget that as a community we have come so far in such a short period of time, but there is still a ways to go. I’m still learning of the struggles that individuals have gone through to get to where we are today, and every day I am learning something new.
Unfortunately there are still a few immature individuals in this world who believe that we can change the world tomorrow by throwing money at a problem. Money doesn’t always change the world, it's awareness and understanding that does. Not understanding is what leads to bullying.
Some believe as a LGBT community, we don’t need to be making these statements and raising awareness. That there is one thing that will change people minds tomorrow and that by doing this we can make this world a better place....that’s not going to happen.
The news of these suicides shows that there is still along way to go before we change the attitudes of people and stop the hatred. The point of today was to get people to ask questions, to find out more and to show our support for the people who are feeling that no body cares about what they are going through.
Even if I only spoke to 10 people about this campaign today, it’s 10 people who didn’t know yesterday, who might then tell 10 people. That won’t be everyone, but it’s a start.
It’s very easy to forget that as a community we have come so far in such a short period of time, but there is still a ways to go. I’m still learning of the struggles that individuals have gone through to get to where we are today, and every day I am learning something new.
“It gets better” is a great campaign that started by a few celebrities and individuals who wanted to offer an olive branch of advice to people who are having a hard time with bullying from individuals who just don’t understand. Telling them that life gets better and there are people who can help you make it better.
If you haven’t watched the videos check out the YouTube Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/itgetsbetterproject
Mashable have done an article with some of the most well known videos:
http://mashable.com/2010/10/03/it-gets-better-youtube-videos/
But I urge you to watch this one from councillor Joel Burns in the US. He makes a very moving speech at a public meeting. It had me in floods of tears as I watched him pour his heart out. I would urge you to watch it. Sometimes it's better to ask questions...
If you haven’t watched the videos check out the YouTube Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/itgetsbetterproject
Mashable have done an article with some of the most well known videos:
http://mashable.com/2010/10/03/it-gets-better-youtube-videos/
But I urge you to watch this one from councillor Joel Burns in the US. He makes a very moving speech at a public meeting. It had me in floods of tears as I watched him pour his heart out. I would urge you to watch it. Sometimes it's better to ask questions...
