This Is International Gay Ally Week.

Did you know that gay, lesbian, and transgendered teenagers are up to four times likelier to commit suicide than their straight peers? This fact, alongside the recent suicides of bullied and harassed teens Justin Aaberg, Tyler Clementi, Seth Walsh, Asher Brown, Billy Lucas, Harrison Brown, Raymond Chase, Felix Sacco, and Caleb Nolt, goes to show how hopeless it must seem for a gay kid in school (which is a pretty dreadful time of anybody's life, regardless). Luckily, there is now the glimmer of hope -- thanks to Dan Savage, America's favorite (most certainly mine) sex columnist, and the youth members of the Gay Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLESN) National JumpStart Student Leadership Team (whew!). Dan Savage, because of his founding of the "It Gets Better" Project - in which prominent gays and lesbians record videos in which they explain to impressionable gay teens that life does, in fact, "get better." Dan and his husband Terry, Hilary Clinton, President Obama, Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters, and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (amongst many, many others) have all recorded videos for the Project; they're all must-sees if you're young, scared, and feel that your life isn't worth anything. Please, it does get better. As "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell once said, "Don't Let The Bastards Grind You Down."


You know a song that perfectly encapsulates the feeling these young gays and lesbians must be going through? "Hideaway" by Erasure. From their 1987 album The Circus, this touching and honest song tells the tale of a young boy who's come out to his family and everything goes pear-shaped. Andy Bell's voice as he exhorts the young lad to not "be afraid; learn to be brave" still has the power to send shivers up one's spine.

erasure

"hideaway"

the circus

So, how about being an ally? If you know a young gay or lesbian who's having a rough time of it, how about listening to them and giving them an idea of "it gets better"? If you see bullying going on, how about stepping in and stopping it? If you are a young gay or lesbian, how about going to a trusted adult and letting them know how you feel? Every life is important; we can't go on losing young lives because of the shit-storm of school bullying. We can do better in protecting them. Give them an atmosphere of love, respect, and alliance; it's the least we can do. Cheers, love you all.