Our 2024 Impact Report
December 18, 2024
We accomplished incredible things this year, reaching more than 100,000 students in schools and in 19 countries around the globe. With your help, we can build on our work in 2025.
Blog
Read more about what’s going on in the world and in the minds of LGBTQ+ youth.
It Gets Better Names Chappell Roan as First-Ever “Joy Rebel of the Year”
December 9, 2024
In late October 2024, ten LGBTQ+ young people from all across the country gathered in Los Angeles, many meeting in person for the first time for the second annual It Gets Better Youth Voices summit. They bonded, talked about issues facing queer youth, discussed activism and advocacy… and then they talked about queer joy. WeContinue reading “It Gets Better Names Chappell Roan as First-Ever “Joy Rebel of the Year””
Queer Joy Is a Rebellion — Are You In?
December 3, 2024
The magic of discovering what makes you come alive is the reason orgs like It Gets Better are so important right now.
From Hawaii, With Joy
November 21, 2024
Our LGBTQ+ youth led grant recipients in Hawaii are taking their joy to the streets of Honolulu and showing they’re “living proof” things get better.
LGBTQ+ Youth Are Counting On Us. We Won’t Back Down!
November 7, 2024
The path of progress is rarely a straight line, and the next four years are going to demand incredible focus as we navigate a new presidential administration determined to dehumanize our community.
No Matter Tomorrow’s Outcome, LGBTQ+ Youth Can Count on Us!
November 4, 2024
Together, let’s uplift and empower LGBTQ+ youth in this pivotal moment.
The “Great Kids” Are It Gets Better Grant Recipients
October 31, 2024
Guess what? The 2024-2025 recipients of our 50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices initiative are the “Great Kids” of the week in Connecticut — all because they’re carving our space for the LGBTQ+ leaders of tomorrow. Students at Explorations Charter School are working with teachers and school administrators to create a care closet with gender-affirmingContinue reading “The “Great Kids” Are It Gets Better Grant Recipients”
In Idaho, LGBTQ+ Students Are Finding Hope Against the Odds
October 24, 2024
Students at Boise High School are leading the fight by turning a portion of their library into an LGBTQ+ safe space.
Meet It Gets Better’s New Youth Advisors
October 11, 2024
Meet Eris and Alejandro, two former Youth Voices who are helping shape the future of It Gets Better with our Board of Directors.
Grantee Spotlight – Ewa Beach, Hawaii
September 21, 2024
These students in Ewa Beach, Hawai’i got to go to Honolulu Pride!
Happy 14th Birthday, It Gets Better
September 19, 2024
Help us celebrate our 14th year of uplifting, empowering, and connecting LGBTQ+ youth by taking a walk down memory lane with some of our fave It Gets Better moments in the news!
Our 2024 Global Summit Live on Twitch
September 18, 2024
Join us for two incredible days of empowerment, connection, and celebration of LGBTQ+ youth from around the globe!
Meet our 2024-2025 Grantees
September 12, 2024
We’ve distributed nearly $1.5 million to fund projects uplifting and empowering LGBTQ+ students in 47 states. Now meet our season three grantees.
No matter how difficult things may be, it can get better.
September 11, 2024
This National Suicide Prevention Week, we have a collective responsibility to remind LGBTQ+ youth how far we’ve come and how far we can still go, together.
Your Advice for LGBTQ+ Students Heading Back to School
September 5, 2024
We asked, you answered, and now, you can share this solid back to school advice with an LGBTQ+ student who you think might need to hear this.
Meet Our New Class of Youth Voices
August 28, 2024
With the announcement of our new class of Youth Voices, 30 incredible LGBTQ+ young people have gone through this youth leadership program.
Youth Voices – Class of 2025
August 26, 2024
Aaron D. Age: 18 Pronouns: He/They Location: California Aaron is a proud Queer Mexican American descendant of the Tlahuica and Cora people from Morelos and Nayarit, Mexico. Their cultural identity not only plays a huge role in informing their work as a grassroots organizer, intersectional activist, and leader within their community but also in howContinue reading “Youth Voices – Class of 2025”
“Remember ALL the Ladies”
As Youth Voice Ellie Z. gets ready to vote for the first time, on Women’s Equality Day, she’s reminded of ALL the women she’s casting a vote for.
50 States. 50 Grants. – 2024 Grantee Reveals
August 20, 2024
Join us for a roadtrip across the United States to see the incredible projects our grantees delivered to uplift and empower LGBTQ+ students during the 2023-2024 school year.
Building a Life Worth Fighting For
August 19, 2024
High school wasn’t perfect — by a mile — but Finn Krol found ways to celebrate themselves, protect their mental health, and find hope for the future.
Empowering Indigenous Queer Youth: Daria Comunidad’s Journey in Bolivia
August 6, 2024
In Bolivia, Daria Comunidad is making significant strides in empowering indigenous LGBTQ+ youth.
Moments of Joy
August 1, 2024
Each week, check here for five stories that are bringing us joy and making us proud!
Meet Voices For Change Winner Aaron
July 31, 2024
It Gets Better Youth Voice Araron was awarded the California Endowment’s 2024 Voices For Change Award!
“I Could Never Have Dreamed About This for My Child”
July 24, 2024
Abril Villanueva writes that as an immigrant child, she never could have imagined the impact her son would have on LGBTQ+ youth around the world.
Congrats to Our Graduating Class of Youth Voices
July 23, 2024
You are going to be blown away by all of the amazing things our Youth Voices accomplished in the last year.
Spring 2024: Queer Comics from Otis College
July 18, 2024
A Galaxy United by Love By students Ysabel Tabamo, Yajuan Zhou, Daniel Urban, and Gabriela Venegas. Inspired by our Youth Voice Ellie. “In a war-torn galaxy, a courageous heroine with the power of flight embarks on a perilous journey to reunite separated lovers.” Bitter Sweet By students Bona Nguyen, Lili Chazen, Clay Copeland, and LenaContinue reading “Spring 2024: Queer Comics from Otis College”
Pride Month Street Teams
Visit Pride events around the country with our It Gets Better Youth Voices and their street teams.
#ElectionSzn 2024
July 16, 2024
Get a crash course education on how you can make a difference, even if you aren’t eligible to vote.
Rain or Shine – An Unforgettable Pride
July 11, 2024
On Pride, Akiko says… “”We move, and the world is rainbow. We are momentous.” Read Akiko’s essay here.
An Unlabeled World
As a queer and nonbinary person, guest writer Charlie Castle says their utopia is a place with no default as to what humans are “supposed” to be.
Youth Voices: What Pride Means to Us
June 25, 2024
To honor Pride Month, It Gets Better’s Youth Voices gather for a roundtable discussion on what Pride needs to them, the importance of voting and elections, and everyone’s fav queer pop icon, Chappell Roan
It Gets Better in USA Today Pride Month Issue
June 12, 2024
It Gets Better Youth Voices Eris and Eli talk to USA Today about advocating for trans and nonbinary young people for their special Pride Month issue.
Pride Village – Part of A Digital Pride Experiance
June 5, 2024
Starting Thursday, June 6, join us on Twitch as some of your favorite Minecraft creators join forces to create a Pride Village to celebrate Pride Month.
The Brands Standing With LGBTQ+ Youth in 2024
June 3, 2024
We could not do our critically important work without the support of our brand partners. Help us show some love to these unwavering allies.
In Celebration of Travis Flores
May 28, 2024
Travis’ fight may have come to an end this week, but his journey is far from over. We’re celebrating the life of Travis Flores, an incredible spirit and a part of the It Gets Better family.
All Haunting Things and Two Additonal Poems
May 23, 2024
For Mental Health Awareness Month, writer and poet Srijani Rupsha Mitra shares her poems “All haunting things,” “On home” and “Let desires thrive.”
It Gets Better EDU Has Been Cooking Up Something New!
May 20, 2024
By Rae Sweet Last year, It Gets Better EDU hosted its first open digital workshops, LGBTQ+ Career Day and Queer Pathways, providing LGBTQ+ youth the unique opportunity to meet with LGBTQ+ professionals, learn about their life-path after high school , and the potential careers that await them. These workshops were a huge success, and wereContinue reading “It Gets Better EDU Has Been Cooking Up Something New!”
The Pan-Vibe Magic
Queer model and writer wants pansexual young people to know “your experience is valid” and “the coolest stories are the ones that celebrate every shade of the rainbow.”
Celebrating a Decade of Empowerment
May 16, 2024
As It Gets Better México turns 10, Alex Orué (Global Programming for It Gets Better and former Exec Director of It Gets Better México) looks back on the fight for LGBTQ+ youth and the exciting things that are still to come.
To Be Jewish and Queer
May 13, 2024
Ariella Assouline writes that she will always be a Jew first, but the and’s that follow will continue to enrich her life.
There is ALWAYS Someone Who Looks Like You!
May 9, 2024
Jayan Singh was “never short on friends who looked like me” – until high-school. After back-burnering his intersectionality, Jayan formed his school’s first Asian Student Alliance and found family with other “brown queer friends.”
Teachers Can Help Change the World
May 8, 2024
It Gets Better Senior Education Coordinator Rae Sweet issues a love letter to LGBTQ+ supportive teachers — including their own parents.
LGBTQ+ Russians Find Hope Outside of Their Motherland
May 3, 2024
It Gets Better Russia was forced to go dark in 2022. But its back, capturing the stories of Russian refugees in Spain.
“Queerbook” is Available Now
May 1, 2024
Our new book of short stories, artwork, poetry, photography, essay and more is entirely “for queer youth, by queer youth.”
Youth Voices: Class of 2025
April 23, 2024
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Attn LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-18: Applications are OPEN for our next class of Youth Voices!
Visibility and Beyond
Guest blogger Sara Popkin writes about the need to see, understand and celebrate ALL lesbians on Lesbian Visibility Day.
It Gets Better x American Red Cross
April 18, 2024
By Brian Wenke – Executive Director, It Gets Better My mother worked for the American Red Cross for nearly 25 years. I am convinced her nonprofit career inspired mine, as I was introduced at a very young age to the importance of service (and being of service) for the betterment of society. My mom focusedContinue reading “It Gets Better x American Red Cross”
Intersex Community: A Mini-Documentary of Voices in Peru
April 17, 2024
Haz click aquí para leer este artículo en español. In a groundbreaking new mini-documentary produced by It Gets Better Perú, supported by the US Embassy in Peru and Converse, the voices of intersex Peruvians echo with resilience, courage, and determination. “Intersex Community” (Comunidad Intersex in Spanish) sheds light on the often-overlooked experiences, challenges, and myths surroundingContinue reading “Intersex Community: A Mini-Documentary of Voices in Peru”
What’s One Thing You’d Tell Your Younger Self?
April 9, 2024
Our Instagram family shares empowering messages for their younger LGBTQ+ selves about self-love, acceptance, and the courage to find belonging.
Confirming My Asexuality in a Sexcentric Society
Sex is EVERYWHERE — which is why queer writer/streamer Nicole Young had such a difficult time confirming her asexual identity.