Second Class Citizens

Completely US  specific but excellent. Via George Takei

Moving Video – Stand Up

Just discovered this beautifully done video. The creator was inspired by the sad story of Tyler Clementi  and posted the video two months ago. Never too late to share though. My inspiration and Eric Cooper’s  was the amazing Seth Walsh. We both agreed he was us.

When Tyler Clementi took his life (a student whose life eerily paralleled mine in so many ways), I decided enough was enough. I’ve felt a powerful kinship with him that I can’t even explain – and it stirred my soul to act. Something had to be done – I realized I had to find a way to speak up with my own unique voice to express what I felt in my heart.

When I first heard Sugarland’s song, “Stand Up,” I was moved to tears. I heard it right in the middle of the string of teen suicides last year just after we lost Tyler. After the very first listen to their song, I saw a very clear vision in my head…it was an anti-bullying video that matched the absolutely beautiful lyrics and music of Sugarland’s evocative and powerful song.

So, I present to you my way of speaking up and I hope that I will inspire you to do the same. I want you to help me raise awareness, and open up hearts and minds that may be closed due to fear, ignorance, or shame. I want you to help me fill mournful hearts with hope and love and inspire others to do the same. I want you to help me keep the promise I made to Tyler…. These teen suicides, these “bullycides,” must stop once and for all, and it starts with US.

So, I need YOUR HELP. Help start OUR movement. Help spread OUR message of love, hope, and change. It’s already begun… people are reposting this on their Facebook pages… and then others are sharing and reposting it! Some are sharing the link through personal email or twitter!! Join US in helping to raise awareness and make a difference in any way we can! Be a part of OUR MOVEMENT to stop anti-gay bullying! WE HAVE THE POWER TO AFFECT CHANGE!!!

If you’re reluctant to share our video, I leave you with one thought: JUST ONE person might have their eyes, ears, and heart opened for the first time. JUST ONE person may begin to think a little bit differently for the very first time in their life. That ONE person may have a gay sibling, child, friend, or relative… And that ONE person, may think differently about the gay youth in their lives. Think about the change that happens in society when people begin to simply THINK differently. Thinking differently IS CHANGE. Remember that YOU have that power. YOU can make a difference in somebody’s life. YOU can keep spreading our message of love, hope, and change. WON’T YOU STAND UP WITH US AND USE YOUR VOICE?

Extremely powerful video from one of my fave families.

Jamey Rodemeyer: 250 Balloons to Remember the Fallen…

A beautiful online video tribute from Davey Wavey.

“When it comes to the tragic suicides – like that of Jamey Rodemeyer – that our community continues to face, it’s hard to find the words. So, I made this video.”

A reminder that kids are subject to bullying  and Spirit Day is almost upon us again.

Paws Up Forever!

For Jamey Rodemeyer, and all the young  LGBT people who have died because their sexual identity was a problem  for others  -  I have no words – but Lady GaGa has and those words are – Paws up!

 

Following on the previous post.

Dave of Such is Life Videos on YouTube has posted the latest Anderson Cooper piece on the Jamey Rodemeyer suicide. Cooper talks to the family about the bullying.

I have much admiration for Anderson Cooper

This was last night and there was another moving story tonight from Anderson Cooper – few people follow these awful stories as doggedly as Anderson. I will upload tonight’s video as soon as it is available. As the wonderful late Amy Winehouse said – tears dry on their own.

Another Life Gone

Via the Make it Better Project

WILLIAMSVILLE, NY – Tracy and Tim Rodemeyer say they’re speaking out to help others avoid the nightmare they’re going through right now. They say early Monday morning, their son, 14-year old Jamey, was found dead after an apparent suicide. He left no note. But they say he was bullied for years in middle school. Jamey even talked about it on  a video he made on YouTube in May.

Read the rest here.