Senators reach out to gay youth with video

Politico reports

Thirteen Democratic senators released a video Wednesday morning as part of the online “It Gets Better” video campaign, encouraging gay and lesbian youths and highlighting Democrats’ political support for the gay community, like the repeal last year of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
The black-and-white five-minute video features a montage of senators urging gay and lesbian teens to seek help if they’re being bullied, and assuring them that life is worthwhile. All of the senators featured in the video support a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

“As a member of the United States Senate, I’m here to tell you: it gets better,” says Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), in the video.

The campaign is part of the nationwide “It Gets Better” campaign, launched by syndicated columnist Dan Savage last fall following news of suicides of gay teenagers. Other political figures including President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi have filmed their own videos, as well as celebrities like Joe Jonas, Kesha and Ellen DeGeneres.

“In my views, these videos are saving lives,” said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) who spearheaded the effort, on Wednesday at a press conferences.