Big Gay Closet

He finally admitted to himself that he was gay. It left him lonely and depressed.
“I felt like I would never, ever be in love,” Challender said.

He thought about suicide, and developed a stutter. He felt so awful and fearful in public restrooms, he’d cross the street to use a bathroom.

By his junior year, however, he was able to talk with friends about it, and they were supportive. He started to accept being gay and told his family.

Today as an 18-year-old senior, Challender has taken a bigger step, telling his story publicly in a video posted two weeks ago on YouTube as part of the national “It Gets Better” Project.

Out of the closet, onto YouTube – A gay Bozeman teen shares his struggles – The Bozeman Daily Chronicle: News.

 

I knew this wouldn’t be easy to do. I didn’t think it would be as hard as it was.

I also really think this project is a great idea and I think YouTube was the best medium for it. It reaches the right people, where they are.

The video I recorded first thing in the morning… if you look closely you’ll notice some serious bedhead going on. I meant it as a dry run, but I never made it through another version.So here it is.

There’s loads of stuff I didn’t get to say — like why I’m happy I survived. Things like how I’ve traveled and met amazing people. How I’ve fallen in love. But at least I’ve shared my story and in case someone else is going through the same despair and confusion, it might speak to them.

I think visibility has been a double-edged sword for kids these days. People didn’t talk a lot about gay stuff 20 years ago, and while that wasn’t good, it probably meant that people were less likely to be targeted, because the issue wasn’t on the radar the way it is right now. Still, there have been amazing advances.

Let me know if you’ve done a video or if you’re planning to.

Is anyone else doing one?

Related articles

• Awesome Video Project Shows Gay Youth “It Gets Better” [Video] (jezebel.com)
• It Gets Better: We’re Giving Them Hope (slog.thestranger.com)
• Watch: Dan Savage Launches Anti-Bullying YouTube Project (towleroad.com)

I’m sure plenty of you have seen the news reports of the suicides in America this week.

Some of you may even have seen what Dan Savage has been up to with his “It Gets Better” project. It’s simple and brilliant.

He’s called on gays to tell their stories on YouTube to reassure gay teens that life does get better after school. It’s really taken off!

I know some of you are working on your own vids. I want links, people.

I’m also going to go through some of the videos and pick out some to blog.

To begin, I’ll include Michael Urie‘s video:

There will be more to come!

Related articles by Zemanta

• Dan Savage tells teenagers “It Gets Better.” (timeoutny.com)
• Dan Savage Starts “It Gets Better” YouTube Campaign for Gay Teens (nytimes.com)
• Life Does Get Better For Gay Teens, But Bullies Don’t Magically Disappear (queerty.com)

I love You Tube coming out videos, and I think this one is especially cute. He gives some good advice too because he knows people are watching these videos who have questions of their own.

Enjoy!

Also, best screenshot from it:

I had no idea there were coming out stories on YouTube. I fear I may not sleep tonight.

Here’s one I’m watching now. So adorable, dramatic, heartbreaking.

Great glasses and hair.

I’m sure other people knew there were coming out stories on You Tube… any favourites?