The "It Gets Better" Project is a national organization committed to the idea that everybody, regardless of sexual orientation, deserves a full, happy life. This project is making big movements every day through events like the "It Gets Better" show that was held in Elon University's Yeager Recital Hall Monday.
Many teens that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer face bullying that can lead to teenage suicide. This project aims to end bullying and prevent these tragedies.
The "It Gets Better" performance was a subset of the massive "It Gets Better" project. Directed by junior Claire Manship, the cabaret-style show aimed to spread the idea that bullying is an overlooked epidemic in America.
"We hope to expand the efforts to make those people feel loved, safe and optimistic about the future," said Kristin Ringelberg, coordinator of the LGBTQ office.
The LGBTQ office and Smith Jackson, vice president ofStudent Life, helped sponsor the event financially.
"This is what it's about," Jackson said. "To say, 'we will work together to make this a better place.' It's just heart-warming to me."
The show was built from the ground up.
"Nothing like this has been done at Elon University before, and I am very excited to be discovering new terrain," Manship said.
The show started with a powerful performance about celebrities' responses to gay bullying and overcoming it. They conveyed the message that suicide is never the answer, and self-love should come before anything else.
SPECTRUM, Elon's gay-straight alliance, Twisted Measure, Sweet Signatures and Elon's Finest all performed. The show also included students from Alpha Psi Omega, the International Theatre Honors Society. The group is comprised of students who excel academically and in extracurricular activities within the department of performing arts.
"It was really exciting to be a part of something that's not just a random event, that it was something for something big," said Georgina Oram, senior and member of Sweet Signatures.
Several performances, such as junior Sean Liang's "Gravity" by Sara Bareilles and Claire Manship's "I'm Here" from "The Color Purple" brought the audience to their feet in a standing ovation and tears to students' eyes.
The show also included personal narratives from two members of SPECTRUM. Both grew up with feelings of exclusion, and they shared their journey of the acceptance they feel from their peers and that they have for themselves.
"As a gay student at Elon, having something like this where you can really feel acceptance and love by the campus is really comforting and encouraging for me," said sophomore Kyle Whitaker. "I know even for students who aren't LGBTQ, it's still a great showing of support and love from our campus."
Manship hoped it would spark a campus-wide discussion of ways the university can support all types of diversity in the student body.
"I'm really inspired," said sophomore Kevin Moore. "I love the fact that it is here at Elon."
Manship explained that many people are surprised by how much gay bullying occurs, even at the collegiate level.
"'It Gets Better' holds a truly noble message about equality in the educational setting," she said. "I believe that every student should be exposed to the positive effects that events like this one can make on a university like ours"