by: Amanda Murphy

The “It Gets Better” video campaign has become known across the country since its September launch. The project was created by Chicago native and columnist Dan Savage in response to teens who have taken their own lives in recent months because of anti-gay bullying.

The videos, which have become an online phenomenon, work to spread advocates’ knowledge and assurance. Common Ground, Columbia’s LGBTQ group, has created its own “It Gets Better” video in conjunction with the campaign.

It is a collection of testimonials from members sharing their experiences about coming out and hardships they faced as youths.

“We wanted to take all the different stories from different people and combine the message to make it that much stronger,” said Russell Yost, junior fashion design major, a contributor to the video and the event guru for Common Ground.

As with most “It Gets Better” videos, Common Ground’s motive is to inform younger LGBTQ people that life does get better.

In order to personally connect with those watching, the video’s creators speak of their own experiences of being bullied when they were younger. According to Savage, it is a source LGBTQ youth can use to feel a sense of belonging and community, especially in situations where their families, churches or towns have rejected them.

Yost said one of the purposes of Common Ground’s “It Gets Better” video is to help others feel a sense of connection when it might not be immediately available to them.

“We want to tell people there is always some place where they will be accepted and people willing to accept them,” said Brandon Taylor-Sides, freshman music composition major, and member of Common Ground.

Common Ground’s video is unique because it is a collective project. Twelve members of the group contributed their stories to the video. It’s 12 different people telling their stories in one combined message, Taylor-Sides said.

“Fitting all the stories together was a challenge,” Yost said. “But the end effect is definitely powerful.”

Another aspect of the video is telling viewers a place where they will be accepted does exist as an outlet to express themselves. Many project contributors talk about how the places they grew up did not support them.

“Being the minority makes you vulnerable,” said K. Bradford, coordinator of Columbia’s Office of LGBTQ Culture and Community. “But it builds strength.”

According to Savage, the videos inform youths—who may be coming from a similar background—that there are communities there to accept them with open arms.

A major goal of the project is to give viewers a sense of belonging and acceptance in a community.

“What has been achieved in the last few months has been so much compared to the last few years with Common Ground,” Bradford said.

The group intends to continue helping students who may be dealing with these issues. Common Ground holds meetings every Monday in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, 618 S. Michigan Ave. Building.

“We want to encourage people to love themselves unconditionally and encourage others to share their own stories,” Taylor-Sides said.

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