Every single teenager (and parent) should watch this video.

[stoney321]

This is maybe the most powerful "It Gets Better" video that exists. Joel Burns is from a small Texas town, son of an actual cowboy, and a current Ft. Worth city councilman. This guy is absolutely heartbreakingly awesome and I wish I lived one town over so I could vote for him on his next election. And he gets a standing ovation, too. In Ft. Worth (cow town, for those not familiar.) Texas.

Spread this one around, it's some powerful stuff.

Comments

[rocketlaunching.livejournal.com]

Ahhh, I just saw this on Gawker and knew it would end up here. One of the best "it gets better" stories I've seen. (Not best, but you know what I mean)

(OT: but those short ribs were MOTHER-EFFING DELICIOUS. You's a genius Stoney.)

[spazmodic.livejournal.com]

thank you for posting this

[dusty273.livejournal.com]

God, I'm still crying over this. You're very right, this is very powerful and will get the girls to watch it with me as soon as they finish studying.

*hugs* Thanks for sharing it with us, honey.

[mockingbirdq.livejournal.com]

As a Fort Worthian (is that even a word ;) thank you for sharing this. I'm passing it around to everyone I know on facebook...

[lynnenne]

I'm bawling my eyes out. Thanks for posting this.

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

Now I'm crying. Thanks for sharing this.

[jerusha]

Wow. That was...wow. I'm speechless.

[windstar.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for sharing this. It is a powerful statement.

[meridius.livejournal.com]

Im passing it along as well.

[bdbdb.livejournal.com]

Powerful stuff... Thank you for sharing it.

[fiercy.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[flaming-muse.livejournal.com]

So awesome.

[altyronsmaker.livejournal.com]

And teacher! (in re your subject line)

Thanks for sharing this one Stoney. I'm sitting here, mascara running down my face. Great, powerful words from someone who's been there. I hope this reaches everyone who needs to hear it and that it gives them some hope.

[ann1962]

Oh man. Thank you for posting this.

[darksideofstorm.livejournal.com]

Signal boosted. And oh man, I'm entirely choked up.

[dovil.livejournal.com]

I can't watch it. But I'm crying any way. Just so I can belong.

[veracity]

Oh, god. I was crying during and I'm still crying after. Because above everything he didn't say is the things he didn't or couldn't. Because it was that was difficult and that private and he still tried. And gah. Just. So. Yeah.

That is a man that is implementing change. Not by being in politics, but opening himself up to help anyone that needs it, including giving information. He makes my heart heavy and light at the same time.

[echelonokie.livejournal.com]

Today there was a 4.5 earthquake in Oklahoma. This state, if it does have earthquakes are so minor that they're NEVER felt. This one was felt for well over 150 miles.

The epicenter of the quake? Norman, Oklahoma. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.

Hate is the disease; acceptance is the cure. We're not born hating, that has to be taught. What will you teach your children today?

[siapom.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for sharing. He is an incredibly brave and caring man, and his is a story that too many young people experience but don't ever talk about.

[ponders-life.livejournal.com]

I'm totally verklempt now. Thanks for sharing!

[kita0610.livejournal.com]

Oh holy shit, Stoney.

Thanks for sharing this. I sort of wanna call the guy and just- hug him over the phone.

[crazydiamondsue.livejournal.com]

Oh, that he'd carried that story inside him for so long. Not ever sharing it with his parents, or even his partner. This tore me up. What a brave, amazing guy. I hope his words change a lot of hearts.

[captainofidiots.livejournal.com]

I've been seeing this one all over the place, and that makes me so incredibly happy and sad all at once. Such a powerful video. I'm grateful he told his story, because there are so many who need to hear it.

[supremegoddess1.livejournal.com]

This one was amazing, you're right. Thank you for sharing it.

[redbrickrose.livejournal.com]

That video is wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

[txvoodoo.livejournal.com]

Can I repost this, w/ your text quoted?

♥

[bitchygrrl.livejournal.com]

This quite possibly one the most generous and genuine acts of courage I have ever seen. To speak something so painful to help someone else he is an awesome man.

[poshcat.livejournal.com]

I'm totally overwhelmed with emotion right now. I don't know how anyone could hear that story and not be moved. I'm feeling a lot more hopeful for humankind tonight. Thanks so much for sharing the video with us, sweets.

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

Wow... o.O Just wow...

[mumsisdaughter]

He is what a politician should be. Not only does he express his despair at the young lives lost, he opens himself to those who need support. Thank you so much for posting.

[semby.livejournal.com]

This had me bawling my eyes out. I really hope the message gets across to those who need it.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

That's why I have "spread this one around" at the bottom, sugar beet!

[maybe1ce.livejournal.com]

Damn it, Stoney, you made me cry.

I can't stop watching these videos. So important, so wonderful, so heartbreaking...

[anelith.livejournal.com]

Going to get the boys to watch this. <3 <3 <3

[oatmellow.livejournal.com]

that's one of the most powerful things I've ever watched and I'm now sitting in my office crying like a baby.

I'm going to repost. Thanks for sharing. Amazing.

thank you

[fayeven.livejournal.com]

this is truly amazing.... i'm going to repost, if i can see enough through my tears.... (((HUG)))

[tinkerbell86ca.livejournal.com]

I wanna do the same thing, he just seems so gosh darn nice! I also have an urge to bake him cookies.

[xochitl42.livejournal.com]

Left me in tears. I'd move to FW just to have the privilege of voting for him.