June is Pride Month for the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender/Transsexual, Queer & Questioning Youth) Community. In the recent spate of bullying-related youth suicides in the United States, positive stories that inspire and empower young people are more than welcome and in fact much needed than ever. Awareness initiatives and support networks organized by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), NOH8 Campaign by Adam Boustka, the Dan Savage-initiated "It Gets Better Project" videos, the TREVOR Project, and many more organizations like GLAAD are becoming stronger and more creative than ever.
Also, notable personalities like recent Tony Awards host Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser M.D. and How I Met Your Mother), Sir Ian McKellen (Yes, he's Magneto and Gandalf the Grey), the first lesbian world leader and Prime Minister of Iceland Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, and Academy Award-winner and HBO's True Blood lead, Anna Paquin have all contributed to the debunking of stereotypes and labels about gays and other members of the LGBTQ.
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| Skateboarder extraordinaire, Hillary Thompson |
