Military Service Members In Afghanistan Make 'It Gets Better' Video

WASHINGTON -- Now that gays and lesbians can serve openly in the military, some service members are attempting to help others through struggles similar to the ones they faced under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

A group of soldiers, sailors and airmen deployed to the massive American base in Bagram, Afghanistan, released a video on Saturday for the It Gets Better project. The initiative, started by prominent gay pundit Dan Savage, seeks to prevent suicides by LGBT youth through encouraging videos.

"You never know really what to expect in life, but if you believe in yourself you can be able to do anything," says Army Staff Sgt. Steven Procter. "So just look at everyone around you, make some good friends and anyone who will accept you for who you are as you try to make something of yourself. Don't allow anyone to tell you you can't do anything."

Procter is one of five members of the Army, Navy, and Air Force who appear in the video. While others in the military have submitted videos to It Gets Better from combat zones, the group made this latest spot in a more official capacity. All are members of the Bagram chapter of OutServe, an organization that supports gays and lesbians on active duty. He and several others give short messages before posing with an "It Gets Better" sign at various locations around Bagram Airfield. Naturally, Lada Gaga's "Born This Way" plays in the background.

Comments

[bar1ed]

09:37 PM on 01/24/2012

Can't Love, unless you Love Yourself first! ....... Great Video ...... Thank You for Serving!

[RonDonaghe]

12:43 AM on 01/24/2012

This is a great "It Gets Better" video. It's wonderful to see military members, now that they can, express hope for the young people who might see this. Dan Savage's initial idea has taken on the power of an idea, and once that happens it takes on a life of its own. The hardest thing to kill is an idea whose time has come. Thanks guys!

[Chazz280V]

04:22 PM on 01/23/2012

Well, if CONServatives take over the House, Senate, And the Wһіtе Ноuѕе, it will NOT get better. They'll reverse every progress done in the last several years for their rights. They'll appoint new member to the SCOTUS that'll undo progress in many other areas, not just this one. Which is why every time I hear Progressives saying they'll sit out the election, I shutter. They haven't learned their lesson from 2010 yet.

[CDRUSNret]

06:09 PM on 01/23/2012

It won't be reversed...and you need to read the Constitution...the House and Senate don't "appoint new member (sic) to the SCOTUS". Only the President can nominate....the Senate has the last word.

[Out Military]

03:43 PM on 01/23/2012

Great work OutServe :-)

[Sirlarek]

03:22 PM on 01/23/2012

Good message! Living a lie will tear you up.

[rockysparks]

03:15 PM on 01/23/2012

Good job, service members. Thanks for your service and for your contribution to the "It Gets Better" campaign.

[invisbl]

02:44 PM on 01/23/2012

Thanks, OutServe! For your service and your bravery and for this video. :)

[MotivatedMarine0311]

02:37 PM on 01/23/2012

Army hands out Airborne patches like Obama hands out foodstam|>s .

[JDH1950]

02:59 PM on 01/23/2012

You mean at about 1/2 the rate Bush did?

[MotivatedMarine0311]

06:04 PM on 01/23/2012

Still not over it? Sad.

[Stephen Stafford]

03:04 PM on 01/23/2012

That would be to all who qualify.

[Patricia Russell]

02:30 PM on 01/23/2012

"..some service members are attempting to help others through struggles similar to the ones they faced under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy."

These service members do our country proud.

[dans5843]

02:53 PM on 01/23/2012

Yea, big time! Keep up the good work and we'll continue to get you back home with your loved ones ASAP!

[AbstractionAction]

02:19 PM on 01/23/2012

I hate these "it gets better" campaigns. As a hetero male who simply doesn't think American Culture is anything worth saving, or that American Power is something definitely not worth projecting, it DOES NOT GET BETTER. We are replaying the same cycles we played in the Vietnam era. America will do the Consumer-Capitalist Dance until it implodes from the sheer gravity of the moral decay. I'm not talking about gays, I am all for gays being able to live openly and with the full rights of citizenship. I am talking about CAPITALISTS. I am talking about the people who pull the strings of our government using large amounts of numbers in a computer somewhere.

It will get better, only if you close your eyes to the reality of America, plug in, and accept the Disneyland of delights that is meaningless consumer crap. Start a family! Strive to be the highest paid tool you can be! And ignore the systemic injustices of the System of Manufactured Consent, which is using communications technology to analyze us like bugs, spy on our habits, and ultimately to make us believe that this is the Only Way and that we have actually chosen it, rather than settle for it every day.

Bah, when they bring you into the Fold, will you blind yourselves to the plight of those outside of it?

[Artanis71]

02:49 PM on 01/23/2012

You hate it yet you click the story and take time to post your childish whining that really doesnt even have much to do with this article.

[anothervoice]

03:18 PM on 01/23/2012

He's self-described as an abstraction.

[SouthSideLib]

02:57 PM on 01/23/2012

I think you're missing the point, it isn't about american culture or power. The point is and should remain that life gets better for LGBT kids facing torment. The message shouldn't be diluted with political opinions.