Hillary Clinton offers support to gay teens - story and youtube link

[Kadie]

Hillary Clinton offers support to gay teens

– Wed Oct 20, 12:21 pm ET


WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has joined the chorus of celebrities offering support to gay teenagers who are suffering from bullying, advising them to "hang in there and ask for help."

In a videotaped message posted Tuesday on YouTube, Clinton said she was saddened by recent suicides by young people who were bullied for being gay, or because people thought they were gay.

"These most recent deaths are a reminder that all Americans have to work harder to overcome bigotry and hatred," Clinton said.

snip...
"I have a message for all the young people out there who are being bullied, or who feel alone and find it hard to imagine a better future: First of all, hang in there and ask for help," Clinton said. "Your life is so important — to your family, your friends, and to your country. And there is so much waiting for you, both personally and professionally — there are so many opportunities for you to develop your talents and make your contributions."

Clinton said she is "grateful every day" for the work of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees at the State Department.

"It wasn't long ago that these men and women would not have been able to serve openly, but today they can — because it has gotten better," Clinton said. "And it will get better for you."

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101020/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_clinton_gays_3


on edit, youtube link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXBpW8GCDtY

[aquart]

1. People who work with her say she has a caring heart.

And she knows who works for her and what's up with them.

[Beacool]

16. Yes, she does.

She remembers husbands, wives, partners, children. She is demanding, but fair and praises freely. She has a great sense of humor. She is also very compassionate and has helped many people quietly, without media attention. She's one hell of a woman and that's why her staff is loyal.

;-)

[Starry Messenger]

2. k & r

[David Zephyr]

3. K&R. "Count me among them." Kadie, you have the best OP of the day.

This is leadership.

:applause:

[girl_interrupted]

12. K&R Thanks Kadie for getting the word out.

It's important that kids know people are out there and on their side.

[Radical Activist]

4. Has Aravosis blogged about this yet?

He was pretty upset when Valarie Jarrett co-opted the line "it gets better" without proper attribution. I'm sure he'll have similar outrage about another Obama administration official doing the same thing.

http://gay.americablog.com/2010/10/so-when-does-it-get-better-valerie.html

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

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[dsc]

6. She did no such thing

she used it directly in the context of the campaign, the video is spot on. Those of use who made videos for the campaign, myself included, of course use the tagline in the video, that is the whole point. She made a video about teen suicide and why not to do it. Jarrett, on the other hand, used the tagline for a completely different purpose (to talk about the progress supposedly made by this administration).

[Sweet Charming Dem]

8. +1

[Radical Activist]

9. Everyone at the HRC event

knew what she was referring to. It was an obvious reference in tribute. There real difference here is the attitude some people have about who was delivering the message.

[girl_interrupted]

11. Hillary did a youtube video as part of Dan Savage's campaign

Valerie Jarrett didn't. Hillary also didn't call being gay a "lifestyle choice" and Jarret did. What Jarret said was stupid and insensitive. And right I'm not interested in defending Valerie Jarret, she's a grown woman who can take care of herself. What interests me is the prevention of more suicides of young people in the gay community. It isn't a "choice" it's who they are. And they need all the love and support they can get. So I thank SoS Clinton for trying to get the message out. That's what should be important to all of us.

[Radical Activist]

14. I agree that

it was stupid and offensive for Jarrett to say it was a lifestyle choice. But the Aravosis blog I linked was written BEFORE that comment was aired. So her later lifestyle choice comment is a separate issue from the earlier outrage over Jarrett saying "it gets better."

Yes, getting the message out is important, which is why I think what the White House is doing about that is more important that the faux outrage over Jarrett saying "it gets better."

[girl_interrupted]

15. I think if you go back and read that blog

you will understand the authors frustration. It wasn't just the use of a phrase, but the lack of what its intent was. In order to "get the message" out, the anti-bullying crusade should have been mentioned and it was not, by Jarrett.

So I don't think it was "faux rage" at all. Savage is right in wanting to have it mentioned. He's been going out of his way to enlist people, especially well known people, to make videos for this campaign, so that it can reach the kids that need it most. And the best way to reach young people today is through youtube.

And to be quite frank, when it comes to bringing it to the attention of the general public, his campaign is doing more to educate people about bullying then the Obama administration.

And the blog isn't just about the use of a phrase, it expresses the discontent that a lot of gays feel. That this administration is not going to bat for them. And I think that feeling was exacerbated when Jarrett followed it up with her insenstive & almost clueless words: "lifestyle choice". She really should have known better. Not to mention the actions or inactions of this administration about DADT,DOMA, etc.

What happens with all of these issues remains to be seen. We both agree that it is important to get the "it gets better" campaign message out, and I think that's what the OP intended, but instead of praising someone who did make a video for it, it turned into a defense of Jarrett. I don't think that helps anyone.

Believe me, she's a grown woman who can take care of herself. These kids can't.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Jamastiene]

10. K&R

[laughingliberal]

13. K & R nt