Northwestern University has released a video in support of the “It Gets Better” project, which is committed to showing LGBT young people that a positive future for themselves does exist, according to a press release.
The video, filmed over the summer, features Northwestern Director of Athletics and Recreation Jim Phillips, head coaches Pat Fitzgerald (football), Kate Drohan (softball) and Claire Pollard (women’s tennis) along with current or former student-athletes Michael Thompson (men’s basketball), John Shurna (men’s basketball), Amy Jaeschke (women’s basketball) and Michelle Batts (softball).
“We are excited to join with the It Gets Better Project to take a stand against bullying,” Phillips said. “As a university and an athletic department, Northwestern takes great pride in celebrating each and every one of the unique individuals at our institution, whether they be students or staff. Bullying of anyone for any reason is not acceptable, and we hope others will use their voices to stand with us.”
Syndicated columnist and author Dan Savage and his partner Terry Miller launched the It Gets Better project in September of 2010 in response to an epidemic of teen suicides by those who identify as or are perceived to be LGBT.