Great new Rise Against Video!

It is amazing bands like this that can save lives. I truly believe that music does save lives. Linkin Park did it for me and I hope Rise Against does it for many. This is one of the only songs I've seen (correct me if I'm wrong) that specifically is about LGBT bullying.

Enjoy!

Bang bang go the coffin nails, like a breath exhaled,

Been gone forever.

It seems just like yesterday, how did I miss the red flags raised?

Think back to the days we laughed.

We braved these bitter storms together.

Brought to his knees he cried,

But on his feet he died.

What God would damn a heart?

And what God drove us apart?

What God could make it stop?

Let this end.

Eighteen years pushed to the ledge.

It's come to this,

A weightless step.

On the way down singing,

Bang bang from the closet walls,

The schoolhouse halls,

The shotgun's loaded.

Push me and I'll push back.

I'm done asking, I demand.

From a nation under God,

I feel it's love like a cattle prod.

Born free, but still they hate.

Born me, no I can't change.

It's always darkest just before the dawn.

So stay awake with me, let's prove them wrong.

Make it stop.

Let this end,

Eighteen years pushed to the ledge.

It's come to this,

A weightless step.

On the way down singing,

Woah, woah.

The cold river washed him away,

But how could we forget.

Gathering the candles, but not their tongues.

And too much blood has flown from the wrists,

Of the children shamed for those they chose to kiss.

Who will rise to stop the blood?

We're calling for,

Insisting on, a different beat, yeah.

A brand new song.

(Tyler Clementi, age 18.

Billy Lucas, age 15.

Harrison Chase Brown, age 15

Cody J. Barker, age 17

Seth Walsh, age 13.)

Make it stop,

Let this end.

This life chose me, I'm not lost in sin.

But proud I stand of who I am,

I plan to go on living.

Make it stop,

let this end,

all these years pushed to the ledge,

but proud I stand, of who I am,

I plan to go on living

Keeping Up To Date

One way to make sure you are supporting the LGBT population is to keep current as much as possible. Occasionally I will post things you should check out to fill your bookshelf and fill your mind.

For right now, I am recommending the book, It Gets Better: Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life Worth Living edited by Dan Savage and Terry Miller. Dan Savage is the founder of the It Gets Better Project and this book is certainly worth checking out.

Here is a description:
Every story can change a life. 

Growing up isn't easy. Many young people face daily tormenting and bullying, making them feel like they have nowhere to turn. This is especially true for LGBT kids and teens who often hide their sexuality for fear of bullying. Without other openly gay adults and mentors in their lives, they can't imagine what their future may hold. In many instances, gay and lesbian adolescents are taunted - even tortured - simply for being themselves. 

After a number of tragic suicides by LGBT students who were bullied in school, syndicated columnist and author Dan Savage uploaded a video to YouTube with his partner Terry Miller to inspire hope for LGBT youth facing harassment. Speaking openly about the bullying they suffered as teenagers, and how they both went on to lead rewarding adult lives, their video launched the It Gets Better Project YouTube channel and initiated a worldwide phenomenon. With over 6,000 videos posted and over 20 million views in the first three months alone, the world has embraced the opportunity to provide personal, honest and heartfelt support for LGBT youth everywhere. 

It Gets Better is a collection of expanded essays and new material from celebrities, everyday people and teens who have posted videos of encouragement, as well as new contributors who have yet to post videos to the site. While many of these teens couldn't see a positive future for themselves, we can. We can show LGBT youth the levels of happiness, potential and positivity their lives will reach if they can just get through their teen years. By sharing these stories, It Gets Better reminds teenagers in the LGBT community that they are not alone - and it WILL get better.

Click on the picture for more info.