First Republican Lawmakers Film 'It Gets Better' Anti-Bullying Video

WASHINGTON -- A bipartisan group of lawmakers from the New Jersey congressional delegation have filmed an anti-bullying video for the It Gets Better Project, making it the first time that Republican elected officials have participated in the effort.

Ten out of the 15 members of the New Jersey congressional delegation -- including three Republicans -- participated in the video, which was spearheaded by the office of Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D) for National Bullying Prevention Month. The group included: Reps. Leonard Lance (R), Frank LoBiondo (R), Jon Runyan (R), Rush Holt (D), Bill Pascrell (D), Donald Payne (D), Steve Rothman (D) and Albio Sires (D), as well as Sens. Robert Menendez (D) and Lautenberg.

The members who did not participate were Reps. Robert Andrews (D), Chris Smith (R), Scott Garrett (R), Frank Pallone (D) and Rodney Frelinghuysen (R).

"There is no place in our society for bullying, especially when continued bullying leads to young adults taking their own lives," Runyan told The Huffington Post. "This issue goes beyond political affiliations. An individual's teenage years can be very difficult and it is important for our nation's youth to understand that it gets better."

"The issue of bullying is not a partisan one, but a human one," said LoBiondo. "Bullying needs to be reported and prevented, especially in our schools. This project relays a critically-needed positive message to South Jersey and the nation's youth who are considering taking their own lives. Namely, that they should hold on because it does indeed get better. In my view, anything that saves a teen's life if worth doing."

"The bipartisan effort puts forth an important, positive message that is consistent with New Jersey's landmark anti-bullying initiative signed into law earlier this year by Gov. [Chris] Christie," added Angie Lundberg, a spokeswoman for Lance.

The It Gets Better Project was started by sex columnist Dan Savage and his partner in September 2010 in response to the disturbing number of suicides by teenagers who said they were being bullied for being gay or perceived to be gay.

"The tragic impact of bullying in our schools, households, neighborhoods and even online has the attention of the entire nation and we must continue taking steps to prevent our young people from being abused and tormented," Lautenberg said in a statement. "This video is a message to kids in New Jersey and around the country -- we are on your side, and we are here to tell you that it gets better."

In July, the Massachusetts delegation also filmed a video for the It Gets Better Project. Every single member of the delegation participated except one Republican -- Sen. Scott Brown.

Earlier this year, Lautenberg and Holt reintroduced the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act, in honor of a freshman at Rutgers University who took his life in September 2010 after being bullied. It would require colleges and universities that receive federal student aid to have in place a policy that prohibits harassment of students based on their actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion.

Speaking out against the bullying of young people seems to be one of the few areas where the New Jersey congressional delegation can come together on LGBT issues, despite party lines. In December 2010, Lance and LoBiondo voted against repealing "don't ask, don't tell"; all the Democrats voted for it. Runyan was not yet sworn in.

This story was updated with comment from LoBiondo.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen's party affiliation. We regret the error.

Comments

[wvprogressive2011]

01:02 PM on 11/02/2011

To those GOPers in the video, walk with the talk.

[RCnDC]

11:12 AM on 10/27/2011

Funny, not one of them mentions the scary word "gay.".... These slobs have high-jacked the gay themed "it gets better" campaign by parading in front of the cameras with a generic guise that could apply to any bullying victim.. You can play this to those who get bullied for wearying braces, wearing glasses, having red hair, having a gap between their teeth, for being to heavy, for being quiet, for being to smart, for talking "too white'........ for being a different race than what society seems to embrace the most - white.. Generic pandering to their base.. Just look up their records, as recently as last month... Don't repeal DADT, votes against marriage / love equality....

[RCnDC]

10:48 AM on 10/27/2011

When we fight foreign wars in lands who's people exercise radical religious views, we do so not necessarily with the intention of changing a current generational views and behavior, but with the intention of creating an example to the next generation of youth... We've seen it's very difficult to change the views of adults who have only practiced bigotry and hatred.. Instead you hope to set an example on the youth and our future generations..

[RCnDC]

10:33 AM on 10/27/2011

It's election silly season people... WAKE up... Just look at their own records, especially on the D.A.D.T policy. Wolves in sheep's clothing - the most dangerous of them all!!

[RCnDC]

10:22 AM on 10/27/2011

Are you kidding me?? Its like a rapist filming an anti-rape infomercial.. a bully filming an anti-bullying infomercial.... a thieve filming a anti-kleptomaniac infomercial..

These are the very people who precipitate hate and violence on GLBT.. In their eyes:

It only gets better if you act straight.
It only gets better if you deny deny deny.
It only gets better if you don't tell if asked.
It only gets better if you repent.
It only gets better only after you attend one of Michelle Bachmanns Clinics.
It only gets better if you ask your parents for forgiveness.
It only gets better if you keep quiet and don't demand equal rights to love.

It ONLY gets better if you donate to our campaign so we can create this ridiculous, self serving and delusional It Only Gets Better infomercial..

It WON'T ever get better with the likes of the GOTP in office...... EVER!

[Mister C]

07:07 AM on 10/27/2011

It's horrible every republican in this video voted against D.A.D.T repeal and for keeping D.O.M.A...So what really gets better???? We need Fake politicians to show action. Not a fake video!

[norepublicanleftbehind]

03:10 PM on 10/26/2011

It's a good first step. Lets see if they can turn some of their colleagues awful legislation around.

[RCnDC]

10:25 AM on 10/27/2011

They are breed and raised to be bigots... You can't turn these people around.. You have to start at home with parents who unconditionally love and accept their own children.... Politicians only care about gaining power and becoming rich and provocative.. They're BORN THAT WAY...

[Charisse J Rudolph]

02:44 PM on 10/26/2011

It can get better if kids are given the information they need. That is why I wrote this book. “It is sad when a young person gives up on life. My book was dedicated to a young man where I live by the name of Seth Walsh who took his life while I was finishing my new book. There are skills that we all need to know. In my new book Words Hit Hard as a Fist With 18 Tips on How to STOP being Bullied, I teach kids how to "take the bull by the horns." I share information on how to communicate clearly so others don't take defense,I explain what boundaries are and how to draw the line, and how to gain teen-esteem. I give advice on acceptance and tolerance, as well as information about 24 teen challenges all teenagers will face, I give resources and I share a hotline for quick advice. You can get it at Balboa Press, a Division of Hay House or Amazon or download it. The weekend of Nov. 11th, in Tampa Florida, My books will be displayed at a Hay House publishing conference, called, “I Can Do It!” My goal is to get a copy into every Middle and High School Library. www.theleadershiplady.com”

[MyAhaMoment]

09:38 AM on 10/27/2011

That's a great start. Now, could you write one for the parents of the bullies, to teach them NOT to bully their own kids, who in turn, bully at school? I wonder if they would read it though. I don't think parents of bullies realize that THEY are the root of the problem. Thanks for your work and for sharing.

[RCnDC]

10:30 AM on 10/27/2011

right, we're almost more motivated by putting band-aides on sores, but do nothing to prevent them... we spend all of our energy "helping the victim" cope rather than taking measures to promote humanity and love.. The real teaching behind Christianity.. You're only measured as a christian if you respond to an event, not if you prevent if from occurring..

[FrancineFishpaw]

12:47 PM on 10/26/2011

All three of the Republican congressmen from New jersey also voted against ending DADT and support DOMA. Thanks for the hollow words, you may say to gay kids that "It gets better" but your positions actually say - "we could care less".

Thanks for nothing.

[WriterGirl]

12:20 PM on 10/26/2011

Thank you to Reps. Lance, LoBiondo, and Runyan for taking the "human" stand. Now the question becomes, when will you speak out against the policies of your party that support intolerant attitudes and behaviors?

[bellaratta]

12:11 PM on 10/26/2011

It is a good video. And I am going to take it at face value. I see no reason to attack anyone for doing something right, regardless of party affiliation.

[RCnDC]

10:35 AM on 10/27/2011

What are they doing right?? Party affiliation or not, just look at their records.... Actions always speak to their real intentions.. It's an election cycle, that's all...

[lambdin1]

11:31 AM on 10/26/2011

It is awful hard for Republican/Tea Party members to do anything right! Besides grovel for votes! There is always an election somewhere.

[RCnDC]

10:36 AM on 10/27/2011

You nailed it!!

[PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS]

10:07 AM on 10/26/2011

We will begin to see more and more of this...................These republicans follow poll trends and are slowly waking up and seeing that there has been a tremendous shift in the past few years towards acceptance of all things Gay..................The majority of Americans now approve of Gay marriage and the percentage of approval significantly increases as the age of respondents decreases...As the hatefull old relics die off the nonstop spewing of hatred upon the Gays will no longer reap any kind of political rewards................

[mervr1]

09:52 AM on 10/26/2011

You know what the sad part is and that is the Republicans who stood up and made this video against bullying will probably be vilified by Republicans, especially the Christian Conservatives

[realorpretend]

12:34 PM on 10/26/2011

That may be the case, but there are plenty of secular conservatives too - who will applaud them.

[RCnDC]

10:39 AM on 10/27/2011

They should be, for being hypocrites... If you really don't believe in what you're saying, it's deception.. I have more respect for bigots who don't change their real views because of an election cycle.. It's all about lining their own pockets to get elected..

[kathy smelser]

09:16 AM on 10/26/2011

they are only saying these things to get votes just look at there record look and listen to what the candidates have said SO again this is nothing more than smoke and mirrors