In September 2010, in the United States, the columnist and writer Dan Savage created a YouTube video together with his partner, Terry Miller, to give hope to young LGBTQI+ victims of violence and discrimination. Even if they had wanted to, they were probably far from imagining that this expression of love and support would become so widespread. They created their own "It Gets Better Project" website, which was shared and disseminated by public figures such as Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and several other personalities both inside and outside the United States of America, where this project born. The goal of the project seemed obvious: through digital content and storytelling, fight hate with love through a powerful message to LGBTQI+ youth that... Yes, IT GETS BETTER!
In 2012, a Portuguese activist, Diogo Vieira da Silva, brought the "Tudo Vai Melhorar" project to Portugal, as an official affiliate of the It Gets Better Project. In 2017, to get even closer to the international project, this Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) was renamed as It Gets Better Portugal. Since it was founded, it met three Presidents: Diogo Vieira da Silva, Tiago Castro and, now, Daniela Leal.
The work carried out by It Gets Better Portugal already includes two web series: Já Melhorou and Vamos Falar?; an extensive video library with positive testimonies; an e-book called Come to the Rainbow School , funded by the Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality (CIG), several contributions in schools and other contexts with partner organizations and different stakeholders to promote the dissemination of this positive and empowering content. More recently, It Gets Better Portugal is working on a new documentary about families: Outside the Box: Different Families, Same Love (funded by It Gets Better international) and a training project for teaching and non-teaching staff, with mentoring of students in schools called "Arco-Íris ao Cubo", funded by CIG.
It is through this close but structured work that It Gets Better Portugal affirms its activism and carries its positive message to LGBTQI+ young people: without ever devaluing their suffering but seeking to work on all the possibilities so that their lives can actually improve! Always for a world where equality is guaranteed, and diversity is celebrated.
Lionesa Business Hub and It Gets Better Portugal Forge Partnership to Empower LGBTQI+ Youth
Lionesa Business Hub has teamed up with It Gets Better Portugal to champion inclusivity and support LGBTQI+ youth across the corporate world. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in promoting equality and celebrating diversity on the campus and even in Portugal.
Throughout 2024, this dynamic partnership aims to amplify the voices of LGBTQI+ individuals, providing them with the resources and support they need to thrive. From inspiring stories to community initiatives, the Lionesa Business Hub and It Gets Better Portugal are committed to fostering a more inclusive society.
