Dear 40-Year-Old Me | Illinois Safe Schools Alliance

Featuring Alliance Youth Committee members and other youth involved with our work, we hope this video inspires you to get involved in making schools better places for ALL youth, especially those that are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.
Some immediate actions you can take today:
1) Like us on Facebook & sign-up for our e-newsletter at www.illinoissafeschools.org/jo... to stay up-to-date on our work!
2) Donate today at www.illinoissafeschools.org by clicking the Donate Now! button and help support the mission and vision of the Alliance!
3) Visit www.illinoissafeschools.org to download, print, and hang proudly the latest in a series of Alliance posters!
More on the video: As the young people share personal, raw anecdotes about their lives, a universal theme emerges: change is both possible and empowering. The stories trace how young people have transformed through their involvement with the Alliance, from feeling marginalized to being an integral part of policy changes at both a district and statewide level.
We believe the personal journeys highlighted in the video will spark change and promote understanding in all who view it. We encourage you to take a second and share it with your colleagues, friends, and family in Illinois and elsewhere.
Created in eight weeks by a volunteer team of creative professionals from EPIC, "Dear 40-Year-Old Me" was inspired by this video for the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund: • Dear 16-year-old Me .
VIDEO CREDITS:
EPIC Team
Danny Schuman, Writer & Creative Director
Jerem Sloan, Editor & Producer
Liz Cook, Elaine Lopez & Monina Velarde, Art Directors
Jill Mannor & Jacqueline Ostrowski, Project Managers
Jamey Lundblad, EPIC Board Member
Erin Huizenga, EPIC Founder/Executive Director
Katie Kowaloff, EPIC Program Director
Hootenanny
Jim Annerino, Owner, Smoke Online Artist
Sean Halvorsen, Director & Director of Photography
Annelise Smith, Data Wrangler & Assistant Editor
Noise Floor
Cory Coken, Owner, Sound Design & Mix
Nick Ray Harris, Location Audio
Devin Delaney & Kate Steinberg, Music Composition
Nolo Digital Film
Joe Flannigan, Owner, Producer
Mike Matusek, Owner, Colorist
Elliot Rudmann, Colorist
Freelance Helpers
Sara Philips, Camera Operator
Bob Vonderau, Camera Operator
For more information on EPIC and its work, please visit: iamepic.org/.

[@Welpify]

Crying in the middle of the student union at my University. God. So powerful. Power to you all, brothers and sisters. Power to all of us.

[@DonnieSeriously]

Oh my goodness! It brings up so many emotions I felt in high school. Truly moving.

[@jthickey]

I'm also very proud of all of you. Great job. Keep up the great work. The world needs inspiring activits like you to continue to change. With your help, the world is becoming a more inclusive and better place for everyone. Thanks!

[@TheDavep2]

I went through high school in conservative Orange County, CA in the 1970s. I've seen a lot of progress since then, and the rate of that progress has been increasing tremendously in recent years. And the fact that people as young as you have been getting involved is playing a big part in that. I hope that the work I have done in the past has in some way made things easier for some of you, and I thank you for now doing the same for me and others. The future looks bright with people like you in it.

[@Athena1955]

You are such brave and wonderful kids. Thank you.

[@jrgcino]

Congratulations. May our 40-year-old selves not forget to always be authentic, kind and tolerant. We know first-hand how much it sucks (and how much progress can be stalled) when someone doesn't express these qualities towards others.

[@JenHolzman]

These kids are amazing. So well spoken. I'M PROUD OF YOU!

[@StraightGrandmother]

WOW!!! You kids are awesome!! Never change, you ALL are so lovable.

[@JCKarr]

@1:40 you made me tear up. From someone who is approaching 40, you kids are all so great and I am proud of you too. I want to give you all a big hug. Stay Strong and Stay Beautiful! It gets better!

[@overnewable]

wonderful , thanks for all those positive things !

[@skeptical1001]

The future looks brighter because of all of you.

[@chesiyna]

more power to you. Respect all of you guys

[@4mamapike]

*happy tears for all of you

[@lizfmom]

such a wonderful articulation of difficulties for LGBTQ youth, and so inspirational!

[@0801964eva]

this brought me to tears, good tears :')

[@CircusSteph]

You guys ROCK!!!!!!

[@cdoria987]

I think this is pretty damn awesome. I am a straight supporter of HRC. Stay strong ya'll, you are all destined for greatness. When you are older you can truly say you are a warrior. You might not be in a war in the middle east but you are in the hardest war ever, a war at home and with the world around you. Believe me holding on makes you deserve a damn medal. You have people like me behind you rooting you on every step of the way.

[@HateItOrLoveIt101]

This was amazing! My school doesn't have this, I hope in college I can become part of a similar program. When the girl with the black sweater and the triangle started to cry I almost cried also...I definitely understand what she felt. Btw she's really cute :3.

[@Pilibin]

Well done!

[@VincentRommelaere]

Beautiful and clever approach

[@BlondeEyes7]

I cried...

[@bkehlh]

beautiful

[@FastWalkFilms]

Great job.

[@CarlosVardi]

well done.

[@Harleigh_19]

absolutely fantastic ^_^

[@realfingertrouble]

This nearly 40 year old gay man approves...it does get a lot better.

[@IndeExo]

crying at 1:50.

[@SFHarry]

Great video

[@andrew1haddad]

although i dont agree with anything other that heterosexuality, i can agree with this. deciding how you are going to treat someone based on his race, social class, gender or even sexual orientation is something i dont agree with

[@jimbeen1771]

great video

[@Lrock79]

We need a video to represent all the fat kids, nerdy kids, kids with physical or mental disabilities, the smelly kid, the kid quiet kid, and all the other kids that get picked on. My friend Mel committed suicide in 7th grade because people made fun of him due to the fact his family was at a financial disadvantage and the clothes he wore were evident of that fact. I was picked on for being overweight, kids can be cruel. No kid, for any reason should be picked on, period.