Saturday, March 19, 2011

about It Gets Better: NYC Designing Men.


Sometimes, all you have to do is ask. I learned that valuable lesson when I asked my esteemed colleagues if they would join me in a design industry contribution to the simply brilliant, and brilliantly simple "It Gets Better Project," created by Dan Savage, to reach out to the vulnerable youth in the GLBT community. John Eason, Carl Lana, Michael Tavano, Ken Wampler of The Alpha Workshops, Darrin Varden of Drake Design, and Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz, all, without hesitation, said yes. So did Jeff Cadge, of Cadge Productions, who donated his time, team, equipment and post-production... an invaluable donation, and the real reason this project happened.

I was humbled by these stories... so genuine, so heartfelt. And eternally grateful for all who made this happen.

While the project is aimed at youth who feel alone, disenfranchized and defeated, I think it is important that our contemporaries understand what many of us faced in our formative years. And how far we were able to come.

Since the original airing at the lovely home of Michael Tavano and his partner Lloyd Marks, the video has had over 3500 views, and was also screened at NIBA Rug Collections, in another show of generosity and support, made possible by CEO Beth Arrowood and her lovely team, and with the facilitation of the exuberant Andrew Joseph.

I've never been more proud to be part of the design community.


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