Here’s a moving video from the Austin, Texas Police Department and the It Gets Better project. In it, uniformed officers, victims’ advocates, and other police department employees share their experiences, encouragement, and support for young LGBT people. Central to the video is a powerful and direct statement from Art Acevedo, the Chief of Police in Austin, about acceptance for all, regardless of differences:
“One of the things I have really always valued as an immigrant myself and as somebody that remembers not speaking a word of English, and some of that discomfort of being the one person that was maybe a little different because of the inability to communicate as a young child, I’ve always valued diversity. Whether it’s black or white, straight or gay, man or woman, young or old, it doesn’t matter. No matter who you are, we’ve created a safe environment for our employees, and our number one goal is to create a safe environment for you. Our doors are open, they are welcoming and we will be here to embrace you no matter who you are, where you come from, or what your background is.”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBPhJjzLjmk]
Wow! I wish that all kids in every city/town/village could hear (and believe) the message “We’re there to protect you, we’re there to help you” from law enforcement and other adults in positions of power within their communities.
The It Gets Better Project was created in response to a number of suicides by students who were being bullied in school. The It Gets Better mission is to show young LGBT people that they are not alone, and that the levels of happiness, potential, and positivity in their lives will increase – if they can just get through their teen years. The project has inspired more than 50,000 user-created videos (viewed more than 50 million times) to help kids believe that “It WILL get better!”
