San Francisco Giants Make History, Becoming First Professional Sports Team to Produce an "It Gets Better" Video Against Homophobia
Giants fan uses Change.org social change platform to reach out to World Series champions; Team joins President Obama, Apple, Google, Microsoft, and celebrities in producing video supporting youth struggling with sexual orientation and gender identity
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The San Francisco Giants will become the first team in professional sports to produce an "It Gets Better" video, taking a stand against anti-gay bullying and homophobia, supported by more than 6,000 fans and four San Francisco mayoral candidates. The development comes just a few days after Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell returned to baseball, after serving a two-week suspension for calling a group of Giants fans a "homo couple" and making lewd gestures before a game at San Francisco's AT&T Park.
"The Giants are committed to joining the 'It Gets Better' campaign and appreciate our fans' support for this important cause," said Staci Slaughter, a San Francisco Giants spokesperson. "The team is currently in the process of coordinating the production of its 'It Gets Better' video and will post once it is final."
Lifelong Giants fan Sean Chapin encouraged the World Series champions to make an "It Gets Better" video by starting an online petition on Change.org, the world's fastest-growing platform for social change, following recent controversial incidents involving McDowell and basketball star Kobe Bryant. More than 6,000 Giants fans -- including San Francisco mayoral candidates David Chiu, Joanna Rees, Phil Ting, and Leland Yee -- signed Chapin's petition.
"This is a watershed moment for baseball and for LGBT youth," said Chapin. "By joining the 'It Gets Better' campaign, the Giants are showing us why they are World Champions, both on an off the field. If every pro sports team joined the Giants in taking a stand against homophobia and anti-gay bullying by making these videos, it would have a tremendous impact on the lives of millions of kids and their families. It would also contribute to a safer playing environment for gay athletes, from high school to professional sports."
Currently, there are no openly gay athletes playing in any of the four major pro sports, as the New York Times recently highlighted in an article about New York Rangers hockey player Sean Avery announcing his support for marriage equality in New York state.
More than 10,000 "It Gets Better" videos have been produced since syndicated columnist Dan Savage and his partner Terry Miller launched the project in September 2010, in response to an epidemic of teen suicides by gay kids and kids perceived to be gay. Through "It Gets Better" videos, President Barack Obama, Secretary Hillary Clinton, and corporations like Apple, Google, Microsoft, Pixar and other major organizations and leaders have provided hope to kids struggling with sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Giants have a long history of supporting the LGBT community. In 1994, the Giants became the first team in Major League Baseball to dedicate a game every year to "Until There's A Cure" Day -- raising money for HIV/AIDS research at a time when victims were still being stigmatized.
View Sean Chapin's Change.org petition, a video he produced supporting the petition, and signature totals:
www.change.org/petitions/ask-the-san-francisco-giants-to-make-an-it-gets-better-video
