In Celebration of Travis Flores

We say as a part of our mission statement at It Gets Better that we work to uplift, empower and connect. Few people embodied those three words quite like Travis Flores.

Travis first came into the It Gets Better family on the heels of taping a special for the CW called “My Last Days.” Travis had bravely shared his story on the show — talking about living with cystic fibrosis for his entire life and about his need (at the time) for a third lung transplant. He also came out — by accident, he says. Travis and the producers had planned to tell a story on camera — one that did not involve him coming out. But he did it because “I just couldn’t help it.” And that’s the kind of person Travis was — an open book, one that makes you feel a bit better about the world as you read it.

Travis followed the taping by recording an It Gets Better video, talking more about his story and his relationship with someone he met on Instagram as he was facing rejection of his first double lung transplant. On their first date, Travis told him everything — weeks later, when Travis went into the hospital because his lungs had collapsed, this person who he had just started seeing rushed to the E.R. to be by his side. And he never left.

We’re saying “this person” because Travis didn’t reveal the identity of his partner and future husband on “My Last Days” or in his It Gets Better video because he wasn’t ready to. He did that two years later, in late 2020 at the height of the pandemic, when Travis and Clément spoke for the first time on camera about the relationship in a second It Gets Better video. Even though extra precautions were taken for the shoot because of Travis’ health, it was risky — but Travis said he wanted to share their story because, after watching the world live through a global pandemic, he felt folks were finally understanding a bit of the isolation he’d lived with his entire life. And he felt that if their story and words could bring hope and light to even one person, he wanted to help.

Travis was good at helping. In sharing his story, he wanted to show LGBTQ+ young people who might be battling health issues or any other kind of setback that there is always hope if you find your tribe and keep on fighting. And in documenting his experiences — the good, the bad, and the down right scary — on social media, his #YellowHeartSquad formed. #YellowHeartSquad is a chosen family of folks primarily on Instagram who rallied around Travis as he bravely fought over and over again for his life, but in rallying around Travis, they became a community of support for each other. To live bravely and openly and honestly.

Travis’ fight may have come to an end this week, but his journey is far from over. Travis’ words and his spirit will continue to uplift people when life’s challenges feel insurmountable. His fight will empower folks to keep going when things get tough. And the community he found through social media, through It Gets Better, through TV appearances, podcasts, essays and more — that will live on and inspire connection for years to come.

Thank you, Travis, for unselfishly sharing so much of yourself with us. We are all better for having known you, and for being a part of your #YellowHeartSquad. You led with love, and you were deeply loved back. Rest easy.

Your It Gets Better family