More than 7,000 sports fans joined a San Francisco resident’s campaign asking the San Francisco 49ers to become the first National Football League team to produce an “It Gets Better” video against the discrimination of gay youth, or those perceived to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.
Sean Chapin, initiator of the 49ers online petition campaign, previously inspired the San Francisco Giants to make an “It Gets Better” video through a campaign on Change.org.
More than 5,000 people joined Chapin’s MLB campaign, and the Giants became the first pro team in any sport to create an “It Gets Better” video. Now Chapin is asking his favorite football team to do the same.
After the Giants produced their video this summer, seven other MLB teams created “It Gets Better” videos of their own, including the Boston Red Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Chicago Cubs. No NFL team has done so at this time.
A 49ers spokesperson recently told San Francisco’s CBS 5 news, “they have not officially received any kind of request to make a video, but if they do they will probably make one.” Chapin’s online petition campaign was also featured on the ABC affiliate in San Francisco.
More than 20,000 “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.
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 their sexual orientation and gender identity.
Critical links:
Sean Chapin’s video to the 49ers:
Sean Chapin’s San Francisco Giants campaign:
ABC-7’s coverage of Sean Chapin’s campaign:
“It Gets Better” videos created by professional sports teams:
Boston Red Sox:
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site that generates millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
He’s appeared on live radio all across the world from Houston to New Zealand. The President of the United States follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB) You should too.
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