Flygirl DJ’s and Patrons record It Gets Better messages.
Posted by Mandy Randhawa on June 24, 2011
It Gets Better is an Internet-based project founded by Dan Savage on September 21, 2010, in response to the suicide of Billy Lucas and a number of other teenagers who were bullied because they were gay or because their peers suspected that they were gay. Growing up isn’t easy. Many young people face daily tormenting and bullying, leading them to feel like they have nowhere to turn. This is especially true for LGBT kids and teens, who often hide their sexuality for fear of bullying. Without other openly gay adults and mentors in their lives, they can’t imagine what their future may hold. In many instances, gay and lesbian adolescents are taunted — even tortured — simply for being themselves.
Justin Aaberg. Billy Lucas. Cody Barker. Asher Brown. Seth Walsh. Raymond Chase. Tyler Clementi. They were tragic examples of youth who could not believe that it does actually get better.
The It Gets Better Project was created to show young LGBT people the levels of happiness, potential, and positivity their lives will reach – if they can just get through their teen years. The It Gets Better Project wants to remind teenagers in the LGBT community that they are not alone — and it WILL get better.
Deeply saddened with such losses, we put our cameras to work to record our own It Gets Better message. Our resident DJ’s Riki Rocket and Miss M were eager to send a message of hope. Justin Crawford is one of our brave patrons who felt moved to share his own story.
DJ Riki Rocket is one of Flygirl’s resident DJ who has returned home from blazing dancefloors in UK & Australia. DJ Riki Rocket It Gets Better
DJ Miss M, another Flygirl resident and one of Canada’s top female DJs resides in Vancouver, BC. She is happily married to her wife Alysha of 2 years. DJ Miss M It Gets Better
Justin owns a landscaping company in Vancouver, where he was born and raised. He has been transitioning to male for the last year and has had nothing but support and love from his family and friends. Justin Crawford It Gets Better
QMUNITY is BC’s leading queer resource centre.
QMUNITY Gab Youth is a safe place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, intersex, queer, questioning (queer) youth 25 years of age and under and their allies. Gab provides information, support and referrals to queer youth as well as resources for family, friends, and professionals.
Prideline is QMUNITY’s peer support/information/referral phone line. Staffed by trained volunteers Prideline offers information on social and community events; tourist information; referrals to social service agencies, support groups, queer-friendly doctors or therapists; and information on services offered at QMUNITY. In addition Prideline offers peer support services – someone to talk to about your concerns or issues.
Youth In BC Is first and foremost an on-line crisis chat service, where you can chat 1-on-1 with a trained volunteer from the Vancouver Crisis Centre, where our service is based.
24-hour Distress Line: 604.872.3311 (Greater Vancouver), 1.866.661.3311 (Toll-Free)
The Trevor Project is the leading USA organization providing crisis and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. They provide life-saving and life-affirming resources including nationwide (USA only), 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone.