Sunday, November 14, 2010

It Gets Better

As many of you know, this week the gay Orthodox Jewish community released a video following Dan Savage's "It Gets Better" series, a statement from youtubers, celebrities, politicians and anyone nation-wide in response to the recent rash of teen suicides. You can find the video here.

I didn't think I would need to blog about the video, but after much encouragement I think I will. The video truly took everyone by surprise when 24 hours turned yielded about 10,000 hits. This video is not about what's right and wrong in religion. It's not about what underlying agenda the members of the video are pushing or what statements are juxtaposed to others. It's about the honesty, the struggle, and the courage that so many members of the so many different communities have gone through. Rumor has it that Yeshiva boys are sending the video around as a joke- and that's exactly what we would want. Because for every 9 boys laughing at the our pain, there is one of their friends crying, and hopefully realizing for themselves that it will get better.

Please share the link, and maybe this blog, with anyone you think could find it useful. Together we can save lives.

16 comments:

  1. FG, we might disagree on many points, but I absolutely agree on this one: it truly does get better! My hope is that we don't have to lose even one more person to suicide; that the bullied rise up to those who oppress them; that those who bully realize the damage they cause. We as a society need to realize the damage that we cause; the pain that are words and actions inflict upon others.

    Please G-d, we shall no longer know of this pain. To all those who are feeling down, depressed, hopeless, or even so low that it's as if you're incapable of feeling any more- know this: It Gets Better!

    Thanks!

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  2. I think that those videos are so important, not just for gay teens, but for all teens! I am heterosexual, but I was teased all throughout high school. I wanted to kill myself, I never thought it would end, I never thought things would get better. But things really do. I think it is amazing that this project was started for gay youth because they have gone through so much pain, but I think everyone can gain some strength from watching.

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  3. I saw this video a few days ago, it was a nice video. You might find this inappropriate but you are really handsome in that video, with a nice voice too, I would totally date you, but you probably do not date atheist Jews (sadly).

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  4. Not so appropriate Spinoza, but thanks, that's sweet. And perhaps the conversation of who I would and wouldn't date is best for a private email.

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  5. I thought the video was really excellent and inspiring. One comment- where are the women? There are many of sisters, daughters, nieces and "Seminary Girls" who might want to hear the message coming from someone of their gender.
    Keep up the great work.

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  6. Hi anon- you are absolutely right! The people who made this video did reach out to the women we know who are gay and who have struggled with homosexuality and religion, but unfortunately none of them were able to participate for various reasons. Hopefully our next project will be able to be more inclusive.

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  7. I was so deeply touched watching that video. I cried several minutes after it had ended. I wish it had been circulating back when I was in Yeshiva. It might just have been the shove I needed to come out to myself, and I at least might not have felt as loathsome about my own existence. It was just a few years too late.

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  8. An amazing video. It was all over fb on my friends walls. Some gay some straight. The message was quite clear to anyone who watched it. Very inspiring and moving. I for one am glad it gets better. :-) keep up the great work.

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  9. >Rumor has it that Yeshiva boys are sending the video around as a joke- and that's exactly what we would want

    I'm living proof that at least some yeshiva bochurim eventually evolve a brain and a heart.

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  10. Awesome! Definitely, your video will save lifes and that's the greatest mitzva. Thank you so much for doing this!

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  11. I agree with your comments and support the video. I would just like to that its more like for every 25 to 100 boys laughing there is 1 crying. The actual prevalence of male homosexuality is probably closer to 1-3% than 10%. For understandable reasons the gay community (& Hollywood!) seems to project that number as 10-20%. To be fair, some early studies did place the estimate at 10%. I look fwd to reading more of this blog when I have time.

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  12. It was an excellent video. One of the characteristics of most orthodox homophobia is an obsession with man on man sexual conduct. This is a reflection of the predominance of Male voices in the Orthodox public sphere, who if homophobic would naturally be more skeeved by Gay as opposed to Lesbian sex. And as many have noted, men, even homophobic men, are often far more comfortable considering Lesbian sex than Male homosexual behavior. While the poster above is correct that more women's voices would be helpful in this discussion, the far more difficult part of the public battle will probably concern Male homosexuality.

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  13. Anonymous said: "The actual prevalence of male homosexuality is probably closer to 1-3% than 10%"

    Yeah? Says who? What's your source? It's awfully convenient for you to downgrade the statistics if you don't have any credible source.

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  14. Is the pic outside the Kanievsky house supposed to mean something?
    Was someone going for a bracha?
    Did it help?
    This is not just a random pic.

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  15. Yo spinoza,
    What is this "atheist Jew" which you described yourself as?

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  16. Where were you all 20 years ago when I needed you most?

    I'm very proud of each and every one of you. Chazak v'nitchazeik.

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It Gets Better- Gay Orthodox Jews