It Gets Better Project

Format and content

The project collects user-submitted material in many forms. Most widely known are the thousands of online videos, but participants also post essays, photographs, visual art and other digital media. Submissions tell individual stories and describe lived experiences, blending personal narrative with practical encouragement. Content is intended to be accessible: brief, direct, and suitable for sharing across social platforms.

History and development

The campaign began in 2010 when writers Dan Savage and Terry Miller launched an appeal to counter a series of highly publicized suicides among LGBT teens. The initial call inspired an outpouring of material from ordinary people and public figures alike. The effort later developed into an organized nonprofit and digital archive designed to reach young people worldwide and to amplify messages from mentors, allies and role models.

Uses, impact and notable participation

Educators, counselors and youth organizations use the project as a conversation starter and a way to introduce resilience-building messages in schools and community settings. The archive includes contributions from well-known public figures; for example, the project has featured submissions by politicians such as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Its wide visibility helped normalize public affirmation of LGBT youth and inspired similar campaigns in other countries.

Structure and practical features

Content is moderated and organized so visitors can find age-appropriate and thematically relevant material. The project emphasizes peer-to-peer reassurance rather than clinical treatment; it usually pairs personal testimony with links to professional hotlines and local support organizations. The nonprofit framework supports outreach, partnerships and educational programs.

Distinctions and considerations

• The initiative is primarily a media-based mentorship and awareness campaign rather than a direct mental-health service.
• While celebrated for visibility and community-building, some commentators note that messages of eventual improvement should be paired with immediate practical support for at-risk youth.
• The project continues to accept contributions from a broad range of participants — from everyday people to celebrities, athletes and elected officials — helping young youth recognize they are not alone and that many have navigated similar challenges.

The It Gets Better Project remains a widely cited example of how grassroots digital storytelling can be harnessed to address bullying, stigma and the mental-health risks that disproportionately affect LGBT young people.

Founders include Dan Savage and his partner Terry Miller, and the initiative has continued to evolve with new campaigns and collaborations while preserving its central message of hope and solidarity for vulnerable youth.