You might have seen that as an outgrowth of the “It Gets Better” project, there is now also a project to encourage people to Take Action. Dan Savage wrote about it this past week. Check out www.makeitbetterproject.com.

There is an event there which encourages people to write letters to the editor to counteract the misinformation campaign against Senator Casey and his support of the Safe Schools Improvement Act. Senator Casey helped write the bill and and he is firmly behind it. Unfortunately, those who seek to deny gay, lesbian, bisexual, and than persons equal rights are using this bill, and the lies they are generating about it as a way to attack the Senator as well as the bill itself. Writing a letter to the editor is a way to help counter those lies and misinformation.

Here is the direct link to the “letter to the editor” writing event that deals with the Safe Schools Improvement Act.

Letter writing like this is critical because it is exactly the type of thing the fear mongers are good at and busy doing, spreading their lies and misinformation. With the recent reports of five (or possibly six now) gay teen suicides as the direct result of bullying in schools, we need this sort of legislation now more than ever. Letters to the Editor will demonstrate that the community (where ever you are) cares about supporting our youth by placing an end to the bullying and violence that so many youth face on a day to day basis. There are 2 important bills that will help our youth who are under attack by bullying. The Safe Schools Improvement Act (H.R. 2262/S. 3739) and the Student Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 4530/S. 3390), which will help make the lives of LGBT youth better.

The It Gets Better project is really amazing, and I urge you to get involved in whatever way is right for you. We are closer now than we have ever been to creating safe spaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. We are closer than ever before to pass the Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA). We are closer than ever before to repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT). So the anti-gay forces who parade under the false banner of “care for the family” are stepping up the hate and the lies, and the misinformation. We will only make progress and create safer schools with your help.

One letter has been published in the Post Gazette, written by Mike Fazzini, President of Pittsburgh PFLAG. The Pittsburgh PFLAG group has been an outstanding resource and source for support for the LGBT youth and the families of these youth. We need you to make your voice known by writing a letter!