In a unique and unprecedented move, Johnson & Johnson has teamed with Walgreens to create "Care with Pride." The program offers coupons for products manufactured by Johnson & Johnson and redeemed at Walgreens. The brands represented by Johnson & Johnson are extensive, from Tylenol to Band-Aid and KY to Aveeno, products that consumers use everyday are part of the program.
Betty DeGeneres—mother of Ellen DeGeneres and frequent PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) spokesperson—was chosen as the programs' spokesperson. "This is a wonderful program and goes to a great cause," DeGeneres told Windy City Times. "A portion of each coupon redeemed will go to PFLAG, which then will use it for its 'Cultivating Respect: Safe Schools for All' initiative. Johnson and Johnson will donate up to $300,000."
The coupons are at various Pride events all over the country. "Here in West Hollywood, Walgreens had a huge booth set up giving away the coupon books, sunscreen and other goodies. I think the plan is the same for you in Chicago," said DeGeneres. Those who did not get a coupon book during the recent Chicago Pride Fest can go online and print out coupons.
DeGeneres has been involved with PFLAG since 1997. "I wanted to get involved sooner, but I couldn't have joined then or I would have outed Ellen and that would not have been good. So as soon as she came out of the closet, I joined PFLAG," she said. "This is a wonderful organization, full of loving and caring family and friends. These folks come in shaken, disturbed or whatever other adjective you could use to describe their feelings when they find out someone they love is gay. Then, they hear our stories, calm down and most return finding the support they needed."
Following the reports of bullying in school and the highly publicized suicides of dozens of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youth, PFLAG began the "Safe Schools for All" initiative. "Bullying has always been with us, and sadly, probably always will be, but we can help," DeGeneres said. "Bullies are nothing more than cowards in disguise. These are insecure people who think they need to 'act tough' so they pick on the smaller, weaker person. I'm not a professional so goodness knows why they do it. Maybe they had a hard home life. Maybe they were bullied at some point," DeGeneres said.
"Now with the Internet, it's just gotten worse," she said. "The bullying is always up there for anyone and everyone to see. Thank goodness for the 'It Gets Better' campaign because it really does 'get better.' As part of the kick-off for the 'Care with Pride' program, they flew us out to New York City to see an advanced screen of Bully. Yes, the movie is disturbing but everyone should see this film."
PFLAG approached DeGeneres to represent the "Care with Pride" program. "I think this is an important issue and any organization that represents unconditional love—well, that just has to be the best, don't you think?" asked DeGeneres.
This year, PFLAG announced the creation of "The Betty DeGeneres Advocate Award" to those who work towards advocacy, education and the achievement of a world of equal rights regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
"Do you know who they gave that first award to?" joked DeGeneres. "Me. It would be kind of funny if the very first Betty DeGeneres Award went to someone else. I was deeply touched. I've been slowing down on the speaking engagements. But the invitations are just too good to pass up!"
However, DeGeneres was very serious when it came to the issue of young LGBT individuals and bullying: "As the bullying gets worse, we see these young people committing suicide. I'm not sure it has ever been like this before. That's why PFLAG, through its 'Safe Schools for All' initiative, is seeking to put a bright spotlight on this issue. We need to teach schools, administrators and teachers how to recognize bullying and combat it."
Recently, DeGeneres was involved with the ACLU and its efforts to pass an anti-bullying law in California. "I worked closely with the ACLU in Los Angeles and helped announce the efforts," she said. "The law, here in California, which I think is to take effect in July will actually penalize schools that fail to take action against reports of bullying. The parents will have the right to remove their children from the school where the bullying is taking place, unless the school takes action. It's at least a start.
"I'm not sure what to do about bullying once the children become adults. I don't even want to comment since I'm not an expert. But I do think about what Ellen always says at the end of her show, reminding us to be kind to one another. I think that's so important, just remembering to be kind to one another."
As for parents of LGBT youth, Betty DeGeneres had words of support and advice: "Be sure you are thinking for yourself and not relying on the opinions of others. We don't each come out of the cookie cutter mold the same way. I have heard awful stories of parents abandoning their own children when they come out. There is no excuse for that."
For more information on Johnson & Johnson and Walgreens "Care With Pride" program, go to www.carewithpride.com . For more information on PFLAG's "Safe Schools for All" initiative, visit community.pflag.org/safeschools.
