Gay
Each video is ranked out of six (6) possible points based on six (6) criteria that are worth fifteen (15) points each, for a total of ninety (90) possible points. Analyses and descriptions are provided by a group of individuals that self-identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Queer, or Ally. For more information on our grading process, descriptions, and analyses, please visit our Rubric Page.
1. Joel Burns Tells Gay Teens It Gets Better [5.86]
Description
Queer: A city councilman in Texas shares a painful personal story and assures teens that life will get better.
Ranking Breakdown
Uplifting: 15
Relatable: 15
Point of View: 14
Honesty: 15
Quality: 14
Effectiveness: 15
Analyses
Gay: I loved the honesty in his video. I also love how even though he knew he could have political consequences, he was still bold enough to put his story out there.
Queer: We think that this definitely needs to be in the toolkit: it is in a city council room in Texas, done by an upstanding member of the community, and it was so emotional and personal and everything.It was also really important to say that he was bullied not because of his identity; he was bullied because of how he was perceived.
Watch on YouTube: http://youtu.be/ax96cghOnY4
Running Time: 12:54
2. It Could Happen To You [5.53]
Description
Queer: Shane tells the story of his six year relationship with Tom and what happened after Tom committed suicide. He had a terrible experience with his family threatening him and not accepting him.
Ranking Breakdown
Uplifting: 13
Relatable: 14
Point of View: 11.50
Honesty: 15
Quality: 14.5
Effectiveness: 15
Analyses
Gay: This video was extremely sad, which made it very effective. However it also had a motivational message, which was that we as lgbt youth need to stand up and fight for our equality.
Lesbian: The video was very moving. He made his point of the importance of marriage equality very clear, and explained his situation very well. I think it could have an effect on people who do not realize how important it can be. Also, the media itself was put together very well, which made it powerful.
Watch on YouTube: http://youtu.be/pR9gyloyOjM
Running Time: 10:39
3. Sassy Gay Friend - It Gets Better [5.50]
Description
Ally: The video was about just being yourself from the start and not waiting all your life to do it.
Ranking Breakdown
Uplifting: 14
Relatable: 13.5
Point of View: 12.5
Honesty: 15
Quality: 15
Effectiveness: 12.5
Analyses
Gay: I liked the his story shows how hiding who you really are can be so detrimental and draining.
Queer: He did a very good job of balancing the light, funny tone with the serious message without making it seem like he wasn't taking it seriously. It was effective, and the personal element really makes it better.
Watch on YouTube:http://youtu.be/sCfKCEPd2uo
Running Time: 2:48
4. Adam Lambert -It Gets Better [5.46]
Description
Bisexual: A video from Adam Lambert, telling people that things get better and that its YOU who gives the bullies the power to do anything.
Ranking Breakdown
Uplifting: 15
Relatable: 14
Point of View: 13
Honesty: 15
Quality: 12
Effectiveness: 13
Analyses
Lesbian: It was very honest, and he brought everyone into the community with him. He had a lot of strength and it was portrayed in his video.
Ally: We liked how Adam was saying his opinion, but with an attitude. He was letting people know how he felt and he didn’t care about who felt different.
Watch on YouTube: http://youtu.be/A_QVknV-M6U
Running Time: 1:37
5. It Gets Better - Zachary Quinto [5.36]
Description
Ally: Zachary Quinto talking about the recent string of suicides and to call The Trevor Project to help prevent any more.
Ranking Breakdown
Uplifting: 15
Relatable: 13
Point of View: 15
Honesty: 12
Quality: 11
Effectiveness: 14.5
Analyses
Ally: We liked how all of the stories he felt emotional about and spoke from the heart
Queer: The videos are more effective when they aren't filmed in the studio. He seemed like one of the most effective and genuine celebrities, and we think it would really have an impact on someone thinking of killing themselves. Also, it's Spock.
Watch on YouTube: http://youtu.be/D0OeSs870ys
Running Time: 1:21
6. It’s Time. [5.33]
Description
Queer: A man is shown at different points in his relationship with an unknown person, and at the end it shows that the person behind the camera is also a male.
Ranking Breakdown
Uplifting: 14
Relatable: 12
Point of View: 10.5
Honesty: 15
Quality: 14.5
Effectiveness: 14
Analyses
Lesbian: I found the video to be very uplifting. I think it would give hope to LGBTQ teens who wonder whether a "normal" relationship would be possible for them, and would make homophobic people rethink gay relationships. I liked how it included the happy parts as well as the sad parts of relationships, so it made it more real.
Bisexual: I liked the fact that it was silent but loud at the same time, It became loud at the end when he proposed to his boyfriend which was so sweet.
Watch on YouTube: http://youtu.be/_TBd-UCwVAY
Running Time: 1:55
7. Brian Sims (I’m From Bloomsburg, PA) -1 Gay Stories [4.96]
Description:
Lesbian: Brian recounts how his whole football team supported him when they found out he was gay, and how they stood by him when the coach said something offensive.
Ranking Breakdown
Uplifting: 13
Relatable: 10.5
Point of View: 9
Honesty: 15
Quality: 13
Effectiveness: 14
Analyses
Gay: I liked the uniqueness of the story. I also like how the team was helping getting him acceptance rather than tormenting him.
Queer: We were very pleased that the video broke so many stereotypes about gays in sports and it was heartwarming how much support he received.
Watch on YouTube: http://youtu.be/ocG5tqBd0QU
Running Time: 3:57
8. Ronnie Kroell (I’m From Chicago, IL) -1 Gay Stories [4.83]
Description
Queer: A man talks about how his mother found out he was gay and how his grandmother unexpectedly came to his defense.
Ranking Breakdown
Uplifting: 14
Relatable: 9
Point of View: 8
Honesty: 15
Quality: 12.5
Effectiveness: 14
Analyses
Lesbian: I found the story to be very sweet and uplifting. It also shows how a lot of people deny their orientations at first to their parents, and how it can be surprising how well members of families can take the news.
Ally: We liked the fact that the speaker's grandmother accepted him for who being gay.
Watch on YouTube: http://youtu.be/HY5wiyhoTx0
Running Time: 2:54
9. Deshawn Timothy (I’m From Rehoboth Beach, DE) -1 Gay Stories [4.80]
Description
Lesbian: Deshawn had a crush on a boy when he was in kindergarden, and his grandmother discouraged him.
Ranking Breakdown
Uplifting: 9
Relatable: 11
Point of View: 12
Honesty: 15
Quality: 13.5
Effectiveness: 11.5
Analyses
Queer: Quam related to his story featuring his grandmother, and we feel as though this story is more common than the others, because a negative reaction, unfortunately seems to be the norm. :(
Ally: We liked how comfortable he was with his sexual preference. We liked how he knew he was gay at a young age.
Watch on YouTube: http://youtu.be/Lcp8thU25cs
Running Time: 2:04
10. Craig (I’m From Willow Grove, PA) -1 Gay Stories [4.46]
Description
Ally: The video was about a LGBTQ youth trying to get into the color guard and he was being denied because of his sexuality.
Ranking Breakdown
Uplifting: 11
Relatable: 11
Point of View: 8
Honesty: 14
Quality: 13.5
Effectiveness: 9.5
Analyses
Gay: I like the message behind the video because fighting to get what you want is a message that can be universal rather than just aimed towards LGBT youth.
Queer: The only reason we rated this lower than the others is because we have seen more inspiring; it was good on its own but this might not be the best to include in a toolkit because it only appeals to a narrow base of people.
Watch on YouTube: http://youtu.be/uLwZnas6oI4
Running Time: 2:22
Honorable Mention
Tyrone Smith (I’m From Kinston, NC) -1 Gay Stories [4.33]
Ranking Breakdown
Uplifting: 9
Relatable: 8.5
Point of View: 9
Honesty: 15
Quality: 13
Effectiveness: 10.5
Watch on YouTube: http://youtu.be/2l7JE2bw5rs
Running Time: 5:17
Description & Analysis
Gay: The video was of an older gay man sharing some of the history of the activist groups for HIV awareness in Philadelphia. He also shared his experience with knowing someone who has HIV. We liked that the video had a major history aspect to it. A lot of times young gay youth shun the older gay men, seeing them as trolls, but they are the ones who fought early on for equality. Thus this video is good for sort of bridging the gap between older gays and younger gays.