As part of the It Gets Better project in the Fox Cities this week, community members, including sponsors of the project, were asked to record a short video about why it gets better for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) and other young people who are bullied. The Community Foundation is helping to make project activities possible with a $20,000 Arts & Culture partnership grant. I was asked to be our video representative.

When I arrived at The Post-Crescent office to record it, with prepared script in hand, I was asked to include a personal story related to the LGBT topic. I put it away the script and started thinking about the revision. My thoughts took me back to my Wisconsin hometown of Rosendale (yes, the notorious speed trap) and my first job out of college, and we started recording. Here’s the finished piece.

All too often, bullying is part of life’s reality for LGBT young people and teenagers. Through a communitywide collaboration, the It Gets Better Residency Project is working to raise awareness of this issue and challenge thinking about it.

Check out the list of this week’s activities below, consider how you can get involved, or just take a moment to think about the struggles faced by LGBT young people in our community and your attitudes toward them.

Tammy Williams, Vice President Marketing & Communications, can be reached at [email protected].

From The Post-Crescent:

http://www.postcrescent.com/story/life/2015/02/14/gets-better-puts-spotlight-bullying/23362639/

 Local It Gets Better Videos

http://www.postcrescent.com/search/IT%20GETS%20BETTER/
SCHOOL-BASED RESIDENCY WORKSHOPS:

Appleton East High School, Feb. 17 , Appleton West High School, Feb. 19

WORLD CAFÉ & IT GETS BETTER JOURNEY

World Café Event – Interactive Dialog and discussion

UW-Fox Valley – Student Union, February 19 – 6 – 9:00 p.m.

It Gets Better Journey Presentation

UW Fox Valley – Perry Hall, February, 20, — Noon – 1:00 p.m.

PUBLIC PERFORMANCES

it gets better piano bar, February 17, 7:30 p.m.

Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Kimberly-Clark Theater, Tickets: $35

www.foxcitiespac.com – Ticket Office: (920) 730-3760

it gets better, February 21, 7:30 p.m.

Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Thrivent Financial Hall, Tickets: Adults $15; Students $7.50

www.foxcitiespac.com – Ticket Office: (920) 730-3760