It Gets Better

In a year that saw many brands pressured to walk back their support of LGBTQ+ non-profits,?Bath & Body Works?renewed its commitment to making the world "a brighter, happier place" for LGBTQ+ youth with a $100,000 donation to It Gets Better. The beloved fragrance and bath product retailer showed that “Love Always Wins” with a scent inspired by feelings of togetherness, inclusivity and celebrating individuality as part of its Pride Month capsule, and took things a step further by honoring the spirit of Pride through a company wide Pride celebration that included employee training and educational opportunities centered around inclusivity and respect. Thank you, Bath & Body Works, for not only walking the walk, but talking the talk. #brandpartnership #brandsupport #lgbtq #lgbtqyouth #itgetsbetter #philanthropy

On?#TransDayofRemembrance, we honor those (at least 36 this year in the U.S. alone) lost too soon to anti-trans violence. Trans youth deserve to become thriving trans adults. So we also asked our It Gets Better community what they think is most important for trans young people to remember, right here and right now. Here is some of what they said. You can read more at https://lnkd.in/g2_KkPze The overarching theme? Things get better. Promise. ??????? #transdayofremembrance #tdor #itgetsbetter #transyouth #lgbtqyouth

More student grant recipients making noise — this time, our grantees in Colorado are being celebrated for using their funds to create more inclusive policies and access within schools. Plus their year is going to end with a Queer Prom. With so much attention being paid to efforts to silence and discriminate against queer youth, it's incredibly exciting to see these students create the change they want to see in the world. Kudos to Mountain Pride for helping these amazing young people make it happen. #itgetsbetter #lgbtq #lgbtqyouth #queeryouth #queerprom

Waiting to hear "Them, the Dr. will see you now" in person. #itgetsbetter #transmemes #lgbtq #queeryouth #transawarenessweek #fridayfun

Some advice for surviving the next four years - courtesy of Angry Gay Grandpa (aka James Lantz ). It's intended for LGBTQ+ youth, but honestly, if someone is going to go so far as to glue themselves to to the railing at the Pennsylvania State Capital to protest the treatment of trans and queer youth, we should probably all be listening. Wise words here!!! Watch the full video on Angry Gay Grandpa's YouTube page. #itgetsbetter #election #lgbtqyouth #queeryouth #advice #angrygaygrandpa

Our work would not be possible without the support of our donors. In a year when many brands were pressured to withdraw their support of LGBTQ+ organizations, our friends at American Eagle Outfitters Inc. kept leaning in. Since 2017, American Eagle has championed It Gets Better and LGBTQ+ youth. With donations totaling nearly $5 million from American Eagle, Aerie by AEO, Inc., and AE customers, they’ve helped us put money directly into the hands of LGBTQ+ students across the country. Thanks to 50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices, a program born out of American Eagle’s support, we’ve distributed over $1.3 million to 147 student-led projects at middle and high schools in 47 states. We’re funding queer proms, Pride celebrations, teacher education, libraries full of queer literature, and closets stocked with gender-affirming clothing. You can see some of our grantees celebrating Honolulu Pride in Hawaii with Bretman Rock in the graphic. But most importantly, we’re empowering tomorrow’s leaders to advocate for themselves and their peers today. Please join us in thanking American Eagle for seven years of incredible support. When brands like this step up, queer youth everywhere live brighter and better. #itgetsbetter #lgbtqyouth #queeryouth #lgbtq #brandsupport #brandpartnerships #fundraising #philanthropy #nonprofit #corporategood

“You are not alone,” said Eli, an ambassador for It Gets Better, who asked to be identified only by his first name for safety reasons. “We will come out the other side. There are queer adults who have lived long and happy lives, and you will get there too.” New in The Associated Press — As the Trump administration threatens to roll back protections for trans students, organizations like It Gets Better are walking side-by-side with trans and queer kids to help them not just survive but thrive. By creating digital safe spaces and grant opportunities to make things better for LGBTQ+ students, it's our job to rally around these kids so they feel better prepared to navigate the world around them. #itgetsbetter #lgbtqyouth #transyouth #education

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. This feels familiar — like we’ve been here before, but the world has changed. We expect new challenges, and we will meet them head-on. When I joined It Gets Better in 2016 and was charged with leading the organization through the first Trump presidency, we were able to tap into our anger and frustration to catalyze unprecedented growth for our organization –?growth that led to It Gets Better becoming the world’s largest storytelling effort to uplift and empower LGBTQ+ young people. ? Our community has been the target of a near-endless barrage of bullying by our elected officials. Anti-LGBT sentiment has surfaced in nearly every US State in the form of oppressive legislation that threatens the progress we’ve achieved over the last few decades. Though we are saddened by what our country has delivered to us this week, I know in my soul that whatever immediate disappointment we may experience will one day be a distant memory. ? It Gets Better has and will always be a guiding light for LGBTQ+ young people who continue to struggle with isolation, family rejection, and the?intense loneliness that comes with being queer in a society that rails against anything “different.” But being a guiding light will not be enough in the coming years – we must be more. ? It Gets Better is nurturing the next generation of?LGBTQ+ leaders. We are leveraging our position as the largest LGBTQ+ youth-centric organization on social media and our vast network of educators, grantees, youth ambassadors, content creators and investors to empower LGBTQ+ youth to carve out their place in this uncertain world. We are walking side-by-side with the next generation of LGBTQ+ people, providing the resources they need to thrive, so they can join the fight for progress with confidence. ? You’ve stayed by our side for the last 14 years, and we need you now more than ever. We cannot go back. The closet has been destroyed, and today’s LGBTQ+ youth need us to stay strong and focused. Together, we can power through the tough times to give future generations of LGBTQ+ people a fighting chance at a life worth living! With hope and determination for a better future for all, Brian Wenke Executive Director It Gets Better

The day before an election can bring a whirlwind of emotions. There’s a lot on the line, and it’s natural to feel that mix of hope, nerves, and urgency about what’s next.?But when I start to worry, I think of LGBTQ+ youth — their energy, determination, and bold visions for the future inspire me every day.?They remind me that, even when the stakes feel high, there are countless ways we can stay grounded and keep moving forward. This is a moment to remind LGBTQ+ youth of the power they hold, no matter what happens at the polls.?Together, we can help them find their footing in the days, weeks, and months ahead. That’s why we connected with our Youth Voices to assemble a list of ways to keep feeling strong, centered, and in control — ideas that you, as an ally and advocate, can share with the young people in your life.?From self-care tips to advocacy to finding community, these are powerful ways to keep the momentum going, no matter the election’s outcome. Find Community:?Encourage LGBTQ+ youth to connect with their peers — through GSAs, theater groups, digital spaces, and advocacy groups. There’s strength in numbers, and the power of community reminds us all of what’s possible when we come together. Get Involved in Advocacy:?Encourage youth to take part in local or online LGBTQ+ rights initiatives, whether by organizing events, creating awareness, or supporting inclusive policies. Contributing to something larger can be a powerful antidote to feeling powerless. It’s also a?great way for queer youth to learn?how to better advocate for themselves and their peers and create changes in the spaces they inhabit. Embrace Identity through Art and Media:?Engaging with empowering media (books, films, podcasts, etc…) that reflect LGBTQ+ experiences can be a source of inspiration and pride, helping young people see themselves in the world around them. Prioritize Self-Care and Resilience:?Help them develop self-care routines that feel restorative, like journaling, meditating, or connecting with nature. Resilience is built through these practices, creating a steady foundation for whatever lies ahead. Celebrate Identity:?Remind them that exploring and embracing their LGBTQ+ identity — through art, writing, or expression — is a vital act of self-determination. Their stories matter and deserve to be shared. Join us in holding these ideas close. Together, we can achieve a world where all LGBTQ+ young people can thrive! With hope, Rae Sweet (they/them) Senior Coordinator, Education? It Gets Better

Our Annual Report is Here! A letter from our Executive Director, Brian Wenke! If you’ve been following It Gets Better for more than a year, you will know how much I love assembling and sharing our annual report. This moment gives us a chance to reflect on our accomplishments, reminding us that, even in challenging times, impact is achievable -?thanks to the continued support of people like you. It fuels my gratitude for the It Gets Better team and the investors that make their work possible.. Last year feels like a lifetime ago, but we know the impact we had on more than 800,000 LGBTQ+ young people around the world is setting in motion a ripple effect of change that will shape the future of today’s youth. I am honored to share with you our?2023 Annual Report. Below is a taste of what we’ve been able to accomplish with the help of supporters like you. - Since 2021,?we’ve granted over $1.3 million?to support student-led projects that build more welcoming environments for LGBTQ+ youth in middle and high schools across North America. - Our fourth annual?It Gets Better: A Digital Pride Experience, which live streamed on?Twitch, reached an audience?surpassing 117,000 viewers, anchoring our position as the largest LGBTQ+ nonprofit on the platform. - Our uplifting, original content continued to make waves, earning?Shorty, Webby, and Telly Awards, adding to a shelf that also holds our?Governor’s Award (Emmy)?and our?New York Times?bestselling book?(humble brag — we were the first LGBTQ+ nonprofit to receive either of those). With so much to celebrate, we know our work isn’t done. The challenges LGBTQ+ youth face today require proactive support and an unwavering commitment. Preparing them for future leadership is a responsibility we take very seriously. As you read through our annual report, we invite you to take pride in these shared accomplishments and to join us in the journey ahead.?We need your continued support to keep the momentum going. If you like what you see here,?consider making an early end-of-year contribution to It Gets Better. Help fuel our efforts to uplift, empower, and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the globe as we head into the holiday season. Stay loud and proud — now, back to work. Brian Wenke (he/him) Executive Director It Gets Better READ THE REPORT HERE: https://lnkd.in/gk-bF2_u #itgetsbetter #annualreport #lgbtqyouth #queeryouth #education #lgbtq