Tuesday, February 28, 2012

"It Gets Better - UM" Campaign - Seeking Volunteers Willing to Share their Stories

Presently, Robert Hupf is putting together an interesting program at UM.  Specifically, Mr. Hupf is reaching out to seek assistance for a little project he is trying to implement: an "It Gets Better" video for the University of Miami. 

If you haven't seen the youtube videos or heard about the It Gets Better campaign, I strongly recommend taking a few minutes and watching the attached links at the bottom of this email. In short, the campaign aims at spreading positive messaging to overcome sexuality and gender based bullying, discrimination, and ostracization (particularly for those of the LGBTQ spectrum). It does this by spreading testimonials, advice, and personal narratives of individuals who went through that same adversity but kept strong; they eventually came to realize what the campaign is named after - things got better. They found acceptance from friends and family, were able to meet their partners and start families, and in general come to appreciate themselves and their identities as normal and essential, not something to fear over, fret about, or reject completely. Particularly for the college editions of the It Gets Better campaign, many of these students found such acceptance once they joined the larger undergraduate community.

Currently, the video is being proposed as part of Social Justice Week. SJW is going to be the week of April 16-20, and at the end of week there is going to be TEDx conference here at UM. Unfortunately (in terms of scheduling), Friday April 20 is also Day of Silence; our intention is thus to actually show this "It Gets Better" video as the presentation on the LGBTQ issue rather than giving a formalized presentation.

Why we need you - the most essential part of any It Gets Better video is the real-life testimonies of LGBTQ individuals coming forward and telling their stories. What I am also hoping is that our own video can include the voice of allies who also step forward with words of support/love, with their own tales of speaking out (or being a bystander) and how that made them feel; we want the video to show that UM, despite its conservative reputation, is united on this issue. But we need folks who are willing to share.

If you personally would like to share your story, words of wisdom, advice, or any other testimony, please let us know as soon as possible so we can try and arrange filming day (faculty, students, and general University of Miami affiliated representatives are all welcome). Also, if you know of anyone else who would be interested, or would like to send this message along to others, please go ahead and do so. My email is roberthupf@gmail.com and I'll be happy to take any inquiries, suggestions, or general criticisms =).

Mr. Hupf's full contact info is listed below:
Robert Hupf
Social Justice Week Member     
786-449-0372
 
P.S. - Here are a few It Gets Better videos
 
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