MUST SEE VIDEO: Joel Burns Talks to Gay Teens Contemplating Suicide

Great post Jubal!!! We need more people like him!!

Wow, what a great video, what a brave and compassionate man. This so needed saying, and I hope and pray that the people everywhere who need to see it will see it.

thanks for posting this jubal

I want to give some credit where credit is due...JayJay sent me this video...thanks to him or I might have missed it.

Peace to you all.

THere's a dark secret in the bible belt of America. It's a known fact that more teens and young adults kill themselves in these areas while coming to terms with their sexuality. It's a shame to lose tomorrows future to today racist beliefs. More than a little needs to be done, period.

I am a teacher. I do not accept bullying of any kind in my classroom. I take all sorts of opportunities to talk with my middle schoolers about what hatred really does.
I cannot fathom how a school could let this go by.
There was a guy on NPR yesterday that says that gay teens aren't bullied or depressed any more than a "normal teen". I disagree based on pure experience in my own schooling and now watching the kids I teach. If anyone is "different" in any way, they are treated very differently.

Bullying has to stop. Understanding needs to prevail.

I love this speech its so moving and beautiful and i am astounded by the support of the others on the city council too

Conservatives, members of the religious right , Republicans, Blue Dogs and supporters of Prop 8, DADT, and DOMA.

These are what consequences look like.

Please try not to scape goat the children because blaming them has never been the answer.

I have no heart. :(

Although it is quite moving... I don't see bullying getting better anytime soon, as kids we criticize each other on almost everything and this situation, as is being different on any level when you're young is hard to comprehend for others. I don't know if it's just american culture in general that is less accepting and critical or lack of understanding, or just stupid beliefs that get in the way... but hopefully that will change soon. As for the marriage thing, I think we're becoming more accepting, and the newer generation is growing up and we realize what is important, instead of letting people shit over others with their bullshit beliefs.

Marriage is sacred, my ass. It's just pure discrimination.
Eh whatever I'm getting off topic.

Discrimination sucks. Very moving.

Thank you so much for submitting this.

Yes, I cried... again and again. And I am in awe -- in total AWE -- of Joel Burns speaking so touchingly and lovingly to those who may, because of his words, still have a chance.

I hope with all my heart that this video gets shared far and wide. And, as with you, dear Jubal, I hope for that MASSIVE campaign.

Bullying is never forgotten by those who have been bullied. It stays within one's soul for ever and ever.

Joel Burns, thank you for hanging in there and now being able to speak out on your feelings.

Very moving and so true. I have sent this to many friends and will continue to spread Joel's message. Thank you.

I cried. It moved me to tears. It has been bothering me very much to hear about child after child throwing their lives away because of the hate being directed at them. It breaks my heart. We need a massive television, internet and radio campaign to get the word out to all teenagers....you don't need to kill yourself...its going to get better. Call our hotline for help.