Free It Gets Better by Dan Savage Page B

don’t, because then they win.
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    J.B. Wing: When I first came to New York to pursue my acting career, I got a survival job in an office. My first day walking in to that office I heard the soundtrack to Barbra Streisand’s Yentl playing through the speakers, and the owner came out, wearing freedom rainbow rings in her ears, and shook my hand. I remember thinking, “Oh, my gay God. I’m home.”
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    Ben Franklin: There are angels out there willing to lift you up and take care of you and give you wings to help you become the person you were meant to be, to help you discover the gifts you were born with.
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    Jose Llana: I’ve used that confidence and that self-assurance to help propel myself into a pretty happy career and a pretty happy life. I’ve got a partner I’ve been with for five years, and we’re looking to buy an apartment together. And one day I hope to have kids, too.
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    David Beach ( Urinetown , Mamma Mia! ): I never expected to have such a beautiful baby girl or such a great husband. It gets so much better. Just think, you could grow up to have a boring life like me!
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    Jim Daly ( Altar Boyz and New York talent agent): Today, I have a family with two wonderful women—two wonderful women I didn’t know even know were lesbians back then. They didn’t even know, and now we have three beautiful kids together.
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    Brian Charles Rooney ( The Threepenny Opera ): I’ve been in a relationship with my partner for eleven years. And I can’t imagine what his life would be like without me.
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    J.R. Bruno: Next month, I plan to propose to my boyfriend. I’m excited.
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    Kevin Crewell ( Jersey Boys , Spamalot ): Talk to somebody. That’s what I kind of wish I’d done. I kept it all bottled up inside.
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    Danny McNie ( Miss Saigon ): If you’re having a bad day, know that it gets better. Know that you have an army behind you. When you get a little bit older, you will find a home. And you will find a family of friends who will love the hell out of you.
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    Alex Quiroga: I’m surrounded by a lot of people who support me and love me for who I am. You’ll get there. I promise.
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    Ben Sands (New York talent agent): I’ve created this incredible community of people around me—friends and family—that I absolutely love and treasure, which was hard to imagine when I was that little, scared fifteen-year-old boy coming out of the closet.
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    Chris Nichols: Call somebody. Look at these videos, there are thousands. Know that you are not the only one.
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    Steven Strafford ( Spamalot ): One of the greatest things about my life is the amount of people who know who I really am. Just live in truth and try to find people who will understand. It will free you.
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    Bryan Johnson ( Mamma Mia! ): You know why everybody’s making videos and writing their stories for this project? Because you matter. You matter. Don’t let anyone define you with their hateful words and actions. Believe in yourself, no matter what they say or do. Love yourself. Be good to yourself. Life is so wonderful with all its heartaches and joys. And the world is such an incredible, beautiful place. You deserve to be around to enjoy it. You deserve to have an amazing life.

ROCKIN’ THE FLANNEL SHIRT
    by Krissy Mahan
    UPSTATE NEW YORK
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    I f you follow the media, or pop culture, you might think that all gay people live in cities and have a lot of money. Well, as a person who lives in the country and doesn’t have a lot of money, I can tell you that not all gay people are urban or rich. I’ve been really happy being a big rural dyke. So, if you want to live in the country, or just can’t move away, you’ll be fine. And, if you don’t have a ton of money, you’ll be fine, too. You’ll get yourself a job. There are plenty of good jobs out there for people who want to work hard. You’ll be a