Thank You! We Couldn’t Do This Without You!

Last week, the It Gets Better Project closed up shop to give the team a much-needed post-Pride break to refuel. We’re back, rested, and ready to take on the world! But, before we do, we want to thank you for spending Pride month with us.

Pride is such an important time of year for our community. In the wake of targeted attacks on allied brands and an increase in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in nearly every US State, this year, Pride month carried an intensity that tested the resilience of our community and those who support it. And, we did not fail to deliver!

The It Gets Better Project pulled out all the stops to ensure LGBTQ+ young people had a safe place to celebrate through both digital and in-person events. Our fourth annual Digital Pride, hosted exclusively on Twitch, drew more than 117K viewers to engage with global icons Thalia and Valentina, the beloved Calle y Poché, author of the most banned book in America Maia Kobabe (Gender Queer: A Memoir), and more! Digital Pride is designed specifically for young queer folks who can’t attend in-person Pride events. Community is always just a click away!

Our activations at Los Angeles, Washington DC, and New York Pride festivals attracted hundreds of young aspiring artivists to paint beautiful murals – created in partnership with Chicago-based multi-disciplinary artist Sam Kirk.

To our incredible partners – thank you! You and so many more who stand by our side to sustain our life-affirming work have given us the means to keep hope alive throughout Pride month (and every other month of the year). And, I am beyond thrilled to report that we met the e.l.f. Cosmetics $50K match – raising a total of $113K through the effort.  

We couldn’t do this without you. We are so much better together!

Stay tuned for more – we have some fabulous announcements to make in the coming weeks. Until then, Happy Pride 365!

Brian Wenke – Executive Director, It Gets Better Project