RE: Joel Burns tells gay teens "it gets better"

[blainebill39]

@bcaroll260

Ciao Bello!

Brandon "Amico Mio" I just wanted to express to you just how grateful Bobby Griffiths' (Prayers for Bobby) old lover/boyfriend "Blaine" here is for this wonderful expression of gratitude for Joels' moving and "Authentic" speech before his colleagues on the Ft. Worth City Council! That you "Buddy" and scores of other wonderfully "Big Hearted" straight folks are stepping up and speaking out, simply takes my breath away!

Il tuo amico devoto sempre!

Blaine

[cinemacec]

great words... we need more people like you in the universe... love & peace...

[lizzarddawg]

This is why being a Gay gets easier -

Romans 1:27-32

27 - In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 - Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind

(God will release you to your sins - you will be lost)

[mlorocker]

amazing.

[buddydworth]

Great video!

[terry46619]

Sounds like you have a brilliant plan laid out for yor life, the world needs more people like you!!!!

[futuremason4301]

nice maryland flag, im from and live in maryland!

[KnoxBNYC]

Also, as Joel Burns mentions in multiple interviews, it isn't just gay kids. It is ANY kid perceived as different. I am still harassed: now because of my weight. Example: a while back, standing at an outdoor ATM waiting for my cash to come out, a group of young guys walk by and say "Hey, when you get your money, give it to Jenny Craig!" It hurts, even at age 44.

[KnoxBNYC]

Brandon: Thank you. You're a great guy! I appreciate your perspective. As a gay teen boy, I was bullied mercilessly. I attempted suicide multiple times. While, thankfully, I didn't succeed with those attempts, that bullying affects me on a daily basis even now, at age 44. It's VERY tough for me to be open in many situations, for fear of what people will say. Very guarded. It's gratifying to see younger people like you trying to make a difference! THANK YOU!

[bewilderedjack]

what a brilliant bloke you are. thanks so much for doing something for those people who need care... much love, jack

[DropDeadDorky]

I dig that Maryland state flag :-)

[bubblinbrownsugar616]

@DropDeadDorky LOLOL!! Me Too!!!

[morelen100]

omg!!!! i was soooo moved by you! andi think your idea is grate!

you are a good porsen in this world... thank you for that!!!

[BLACKRAVEN1978]

I grew up in a small town, and being different was never tolerated. When I moved out and on I learned something very important... Never be bullied into Silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's else's definitionof your life. Define yourself. It might seriously suck right now... but IT WILL GET BETTER!

[lou2u]

U R awesome. Great video!

[bigdaddy496]

the biggest problem with the whole cyber bullying is identifying the bully. believe it or not, its not the kid whos doing the bullying, its the monster that created him that is. it gets down to having to do the hard work of bringing that person out into the open. a bully is nothing more than a normal kid with a monster scaring him everyday. hes seeking out easier targets to ease the pain he also feels at home or where ever.

[shambaby]

Michael Memek-Your blindness is two-fold; Love knows no limits and this is about bullying of ALL kids. Do you really think sharing your ignorance is serving any purpose here? Why must brain-washed religious people spout their fearful, judgmental thoughts everywhere? HATERS, WE DON'T CARE. Save your "sinful" comments for the man in the mirror.

[matt7kiwi]

The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is to love and be loved in return.

The dumbest thing you'll ever do, is to hate those who love different to you.

[shambaby]

Your spirit has a natural, loving and nurturing quality that is admirable. Keep it up, Brandon. I expect to see you in the public eye in the near future. I am curious about your background and experience and your major in college. A thoughtful young man like you is a rare thing these days. Run with it!

[raver14]

You're doing a great thing for humanity. I thought I was one of the few that felt the way you do. Agreed, It's time for EVERYONE just to be honored by friends, family AND strangers. "we are all in this together". Hopefully your inspiration will catch on with many people.

[Lubecyamhead]

Thank you for adding your thoughtful response, and positive action to this story. I was so moved to hear Joel Burns' testimony too. I am glad for you good men, straight and gay, who speak out for a compassionate America!

[RabbyKin]

Do I want an overpopulated future with parents stuck in straight relationships when they are gay or disinterested in their mate - trying to raise children in a loving family environment that is false or cannot be... Or gay loving couples who can adopt children who might otherwise never find a loving home and create a lovely family... Hmm..

Unhappy relationships harm children and the future - not gay relationships. Gay unhappy relationships happen, certainly, but it's no detriment to humanity

[angelsgoddess90]

Good for you!

[heffroc]

thank you so much for being in the minority of straight, white men who have the guts to stand up for what's right. I'm a soon to be high school teacher and fully intend on instilling the drive to care in my students. it's important to recognize that other people might not agree with everyone's point of view, but that it's ok, the key is to respect and cherish those differences rather than bully and beat them. thank you again for what you're doing, we need more men like you in the world.

[OKflaMAN]

Mona Lisas and mad hatters,elton john,,,

And I thank the Lord, there's people out there like you,

I thank the Lord there's people out there like you.

While Mona Lisas and mad hatters,

sons of bankers, sons of lawyers,

turn around and say, "good morning" to the night.

For unless they see the sky, but they can't and that is why,

they know not if it's dark out side or light.

.

[noodles656]

Thanks for being a role model on how we should treat one another.

[sarahkinzz]

I hope this doesn't come across as shallow, but forward-minded, socially evolved guys like yourself are HOT.

[Davidbedella]

Brandon Carroll. Thanks for your positive and supportive message to all of us who were moved by this mans truth and heart. Well done for the work you are doing.

Sincerely,

Dave

[crazyswimmer222]

And the Hokie Nation continues to inspire! 'm gay and just entered the Hokie Nation this passed year, and it's humbling to see that there are people like you out there in the one place I hold true and dear to my heart. Thank you, SO much. You are truly a wonderful person.

[amecfo1120]

inspiring:) great job!

[TubeTrollster]

i bet he was a gay basher before this...looks like one

[pedrofjmk]

you're a jerk. get a life.

[pedrofjmk]

Is this really necessary? Why are you being such a jerk? Geez.

[filchijap]

Keep up the great work!

[pyroclasm32]

Props Brandon! It's always good to hear from an ally!

[jchesson]

I am inspired as well. I am Gay and I want to be a voice as well. I like the movement that you started.

[blainebill39]

@bcarroll260

I thank you my friend for uploading this message! It will be conscientious,

straight folks like yourself that will make all the difference!

After having lived through the suicide many years ago, of a boy I once loved

(Bobby Griffith/Prayers For Bobby), I have truly witnessed a remarkable

paradigm shift, in consciousness and attitude, occure within our culture!

[blainebill39]

@bcarroll260

Mr. Joel Burns' unforgettable address to the Ft. Worth city council, is breathtaking

evidence of that shift. When Bobby took his life, over 27yrs ago, the mood of

the nation was far different.

[blainebill39]

@bcarroll260

Ronald Reagan was President and the public

discourse was dominated by men like Jerry Fallwel, and his "Moral Majority"!

It is thrilling to see people begin to view this horrific situation as a shameful and abhorent failure, on our part as a society!

Thank you Joel Burns, I am so glad you have finally arrived!

May G-D Bless You!

Blaine

[PtAltmVansanTarr]

One thing I wanted to add (Im not sure where OP is from) is that go to a place like the Village in Manhattan and check out the gay scene. One thing that is striking is how well gay people live there... While being a white straight male might mean you have the best opportunity to move up to very high positions in the corporate and governmental worlds, the gay communities in urban American are on average living upper middle class lifestyles, many are very health conscious, dress better than every

[skyuter]

Fine work Brandon, thanks for putting your courage into action! That's what a man (or any real human being, male or female) is called to do. Thanks for your good example.

[yuetching]

Thank you

[RPoshekGladbach]

Brandon, thank you for this wonderful video. Your decision to be part of the solution, to make our world better, and to really, really, really actively care makes the future much brighter, for so many.

[fiddlerwolf]

Let one person know that you appreciate something about them just once a day, and you will make a difference.

[symphonicdolphin]

Great to hear these words come from a straight white male. You are part of a changing generation - keep spreading the love bro.

[shawnkevinobrien]

well said Brandon. Thank you.

[wtfkitten6590]

The world needs people more like you

[89SoH]

Respect! Thank you! 

[simplewhimsy]

No, thank YOU. :)

[PAULAMERICA13]

Thanks,

Greetings from Berlin :)

[imbutchsowat1]

i want to pass on those wrist bands to all those around me.

[spanamer]

Thank you so much man. I'm a gay man by CHOICE,( I love women, but simply prefer guys). Thank God that there are people like you who have the courage to stand up for the repressed of society, I can see the "straight view" perfectly. To most straight people, homosexuality seems an abomination. Why condemn something that you simply can't understand? Understanding takes patience, kindness and COURAGE. Love is heaven and heaven is love.Only a coward and fool could condemn anyone's love for another.

[infodh]

@spanamer Then you're not gay, you're a bissexual man, more male-oriented. ;)

[mwantero]

Awesome idea! I'm all for it!!

[p04bdogz]

nice response brandon... kudos!

[bcarroll260]

Hey Everyone, I have been inundated with e-mails from people and I have been unbelievably moved. I had no idea that I would ever have 7,000 views and countless e-mails/comments. IF you are interested in joining the kindness movement (actively caring), please e-mail me at brandoncarroll@vt.edu. Thank you for inspiring me, and for making the world a better place.

[rwasmyfirstlove]

@bcarroll260 Thank YOUUUU :-) Billy, from Montevideo, Uruguay, South America

[golden94109]

Brandon - Outstanding. Thank you. Now - if I can jusdt get my hands on one of those wrist bands.

[EdnaLeed]

Where can we get some of those green bracelets?

[jogafl]

Brandon - I saw your video linked on someones facebook. I really want to thank you for your candor, and also just for being so awesome. Good luck in your efforts!

[jsd013]

Much respect from vancouver canada, Mr. Carroll. Came across the link from your TED talks post. I think the kindness bracelet idea is brilliant. Kids today are so obsessed with material rewards and prizes ( effect of video games and competitive culture ) that they seem to not see a point in intrinsic rewards that caring for people leads to. These bracelets seem to me a great way to kick start that revelation and socially manifest your idea into the culture. Thank you for uploading this bro!

[dannydo422]

Hey Brandon, you seem really cool. As a woman living in super conservative Utah, it's nice for a white male to recognize his privilege. Thanks for speaking up and acknowledging the problem. And thanks for being active in making our country better :)

[Freddy707G]

@michaelmemek OH so in that case you're teaching your kids let me tell you that you're not teaching them correctly because if you just deny the possibility of a man o woman to be gay, they'll think like you and when they get older and the homosexuality become something normal in society they'll be the only ones who thinks like that, and imagine, how do you'd react if one of your kids tell you he or she is gay?,you're gonna take him out of your house, or let him/her just commit suicide? Really?

[MrDarchie]

Great video Sir. Thank you for speaking up!

[clarkinthedark1]

You hit the nail on the head when you say, Everyone wants to argue, but no one wants to do anything.

Thank you for doing what you're doing.

[vanksism]

Great ideas and this is what more people need to do. Choose kindness and sincerity above all others. You're right up there with Mr. Burns - A hero in the midst of us.

[STRUTTER777U]

God loves you, no matter what your sexual orientation may be, and He will help you find a way out of the homosexual lifestyle if you want out. Don't commit suicide. Don't put yourself at risk of STDs or at risk of HIV/ AIDS. God will forgive you and accept you and love you if you give your life to Him, and trust in Him. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't change. Don't let anyone tell you there is no way out. There is hope!

[irlupe]

@STRUTTER777U

you again?

[vtdag1]

@STRUTTER777U thank you for saying this! I feel that many Christians who hear about this react in a negative and hateful way; NOT the way that Jesus would have. He set an example for us by accepting those that the Pharisees rejected. He ate dinner with tax collectors and other "sinners" while most people rejected those types. If we want to be more like Him, I think we should respond to this situation just like you did- we have to be empathetic and understanding if we want to share His love.

[STRUTTER777U]

@vtdag1 No problem.

I want people to understand that it is possible to oppose a behavior, and still love the person. I don't blame people for how they feel or who they are attracted to, but I want them to know there is a way out of the lifestyle if they want out. Too many feel trapped because they have been told they can never change or escape it.

In the name of 'freedom', too many people put themself at risk of STDS, etc.

[creepycody]

Being in mental health for nearly 8 years, I can honestly say after all the gay People I have counseled, it does not get better until you get the help you need and come out of homosexuality.

[RabbyKin]

@creepycody I hope you aren't in the mental health community as someone who helps others, because if you were you'd clearly know that homosexuality is not a mental illness. Having been depressed and bisexual things didn't get better until I got help for depression - a mental illness - and was able to continue to be comfortable with my sexuality - which is not a mental illness. 1973 shouldn't be news to anyone by now. Please don't perpetuate the myth that it is a mental illness.

[creepycody]

@RabbyKin I never said it was a mental illness. Don't put words in my mouth.

[RabbyKin]

@creepycody Apologies. The corrolation appeared implied by your wording; perhaps if you were to reword it I would have understood that you didn't mean that people who are homosexual and happen to need counselling need to change their sexual orientation in order to overcome the obstacles for which they were being counseled.

[jhr459]

I was very moved by Joel's speech to the FT Worth city council-I live in Austin and I know what it can be like in Texas (although Austin tends to be a bit more liberal than the rest of Texas). What I want to say as well, is that I am equally moved by your video. It's people like you that can help the LGBT movement as well as those of us in it- a straight man speaking up for LGBT rights is a powerful voice and I want to say thank you. So, Thank You!

[CardistryKhaos]

You're awesome, but the MD flag behind you makes you doubley awesome.

[Wiffer247]

i'm a teacher... i want to know more about your bracelets :)

[Dustyyyyyyyy]

well did you mail him a bracelet? lol :p

nice video, thanks :]

[covenstead]

Both thumbs up, guy...

[VikingLady219]

I was just watching the Burns speech "It gets better" and was sickened by all kinds of nasty, horrible comments posted by people, and saw several trolls on that thread. I just reported one of them to YouTube. These punks create a profile just for the purpose of trolling these vids and spreading their hateful message.

[Freddy707G]

and that's why they kill themselves, and in that case they'll will not be reported as bulling suicide, people will just think that he realized he's wrong, and that's so terrible, that kills so many teens every year, so please watch some videos about that before telling something like that, there is a video about a blond guy who tells his story about who he wanted to commit suicide, look for a big93scott's video that is called being gay is a choice and watch what I'm talking about PLEASE

[Freddy707G]

by "changing" them, you should help by protecting from bulling people but not "changing" them, they will not change, the should not change, they CAN'T change because they're like that, and if someone is gay, and you convece him that he's wrong and he can change, he will think he'll change but he would not be able because people can't make that decision, and the fact that they try and fail, is what make people commit suicide, because they are absolutely sure that they can change but they can't,

[Freddy707G]

Michaelmemek, can you see what are you writing?, you says that we have to take care about bulling and discrimination telling that everyone is different, and that's ok, but then you said that homosexuals should receive help because they're wrong???!! They're not wrong, and when you say that someone is wrong, you're bulling to!, you're bot supposed to help people by "changing" them, you should help by protecting from bulling people but not "changing" them, they will not change, the should not cha

[michaelmemek]

@Freddy707G HOmosexuality is a sin. It is wrong and unnatural. Cmon don't be stupid, man was made for woman and vice versa. That is what I teach my kids...

[rwasmyfirstlove]

@michaelmemek Wearing glasses in UNNATURAL, and cancer is a NATURAL disease. So when you find a good and logical explanation of why "homosexuality is a sin" let me know... Homosexuality has NOTHING TO DO wih the natural or the unnatural, it has got to do with what is cultural. And that's what you are completely lacking of: CULTURE. It would be great to see your reaction when one of your kids comes and tells you: I AM GAY. Then YOU will commit suicide and you will do us a great favor LOL

[HybridZombies10]

ok Brandon i gotta favor to ask of u.......im a white 15 year old male ok i live in a small town where im very trusted with everyone and all there secrets.....ok.....well i know a few gay people.....and ALOT of bisexual guys and girls....but they are all shy.....me and my friend who is bi tried to get an assembly to tell kids that its alright to be bi or gay but my princepal denide it anyway to the point.......may i use your band idea at my school thanks please send me a message on my channel :)

[RabbyKin]

@HybridZombies10 Your story is amazing. I'm so proud of you for having the courage to try to stand up, and for continuing to do so. More adults need to have your strength and openess. Thumbs up to you, and keep on doing your thing. Be the change. :D

[standard888]

@HybridZombies10: I used to work at a school where religious and racial bullying was not tolerated, but there was little done about kids screaming anti-gay slurs as insults playfully in the hallways. I live in a BIG town--Brooklyn, NY--where there's still a lot of ignorance and bigotry (not so different than where I grew up in rural Arkansas). I hope you and your friends can make a meaningful change in your town. Good luck!

[dbodiford]

Every single thing in Joel's video I experienced growing up as a gay kid, but I think it's something I rarely talk about or even think about, because I don't want to go back to that shame and fear, and I've moved past that so I don't want to focus on being a victim. That video brought it all back for a moment.

I admire you for speaking out and doing something to fight bullying, and showing how it affects us all. I also agree that us adults are to blame - we can't be civil, so kids wnt be civl

[michaelmemek]

Yes we need to have compassion on bullies. Maybe they too are going thru a struggle... bad child hood experiences... too much anger ... can't accept people who are different. They obviously have a lot pf psychological problems. They too need help. Homosexuals ... they too need help. Sex is for man and woman.  Maybe they too went thru hardships in childhood, or have chemical imbalances or just made choice that sex with same kind is more enjoyable. It is wrong!

[KyndleRyan86]

Your Doing A Great Thing Passing On Kindness There Needs To Be More Straight Men Like You.....I Had A Great Straight Friend The Same Way I Lost Him Last Year Rarely Do You Come Across People Like You Keep Up The Work!

[TrappedButterflyInc]

I wish i could be as confidant as you are. As a straight person, my parents expect me to go along with what they believe about gays. Which I don't, but i'm deathly afraid of saying anything to them. Especially being a teenage girl, I am either supposed to 100 percent agree with them, or keep my mouth shut. I just feel horrible when i sit there and listen to them rant and say things like "OH those gays need to go to hell where they belong." I'm like torn here.

[RabbiMarvTapirman]

bcarroll260, 'Kwan extraordinar.

[Zethux]

...Pay it forward.

[vtdag1]

Great video man. I would love to figure out how I could help you at VT. I want to help spread this to all of my old teachers and beyond. Thank you for being such an inspiration

[AppleMacTech]

Reppin' MD

[kcasacca]

You are the man!

[KCnDFW]

What a simple yet Amazing idea you have! Thanx for sharing this...I am posting ur video and sharing your idea...I have a lot of teachers and parents on my FB so maybe your dream...all of our dreams, of irradicating bullying can be realized!

[Tenwii]

Lovely. Thank you. I'm sorry you experienced what happened at VaTech --- I love what you've done by creating something positive from something so tragic. Wish there were lots and lots of you.

[tammy76036]

Brandon thanks for the video..I'm going to send you an email. Have some questions and I want to get involved.

[kakumei77]

Usually people that say faggots and hate gays are usually gay themselves and can't or never come to terms with it. So they get angry and try to take it out on people who are open tolerant! It's nice to see that all these YouTube cowards who hate gays are probably gay themselves! Men fuck men! Get over it!

[cherd1971]

the parents of the bullying teens need to be help Accountable also

i raised my kids to never make fun of anyone and they never did even if they were with a group of kids who did this they would walk away. COME ON PARENTS ITS YOUR KIDS WHO ARE HURTING GAY CHILDREN. enough is enough

[thisisuncomfortable]

wow... I hope your message is heard my man. I typical ALWAYS try to do good by man kind and I just ask people to pay it forward. I live in Los Angeles and there is always someone in need here of kindness.

[Ronald21215]

Maryland for life!!!!!!

[GanzoB]

Love it man! I'm a musician and would love to support your wristband program by wearing them at shows and possibly doing a project to support them. How do I get in contact with you and discus?

[seasirenne]

what I want to know is where can I order/get some of the green Actively Caring for People wristbands? I think that is an amazing idea, it is positive reinforcement and I want to get that started/going here in Illinois. I have a lot of friends who are teachers and faculty members in this area in different schools and I think it would truly take off here! my email address is seasirenne@msn.com and I am very serious about this. Please email me and let me know how I can order these wristbands.

[irqueer]

Brandon - what a great, supportive video. I hope your wristband program becomes a great success. I wish more straight men (and women) were secure enough with their own identity to step up and be supportive of the men and women in the LGBT community.

[irqueer]

Brandon - what a great, supportive video. I hope your wristband program becomes a great success. I wish more straight men (and women) were secure enough with their own identity to step up and be supportive of the men and women in the LGBT community.

[RockyMissouri]

Thank you! I was at first expecting a different kind of message..You make me so very proud! I hope my grandchildren grow up with your attitude...You are honoring the memories of bullying, and bringing honor to yourself and your family by thinking of others!

You are fabulous..thank you..I will make sure my grandchildren see it...

[jujulaw24]

Brandon....loved your statement! I am friends with Joel and posted your video on his husband's facebook page.

[iamramses90]

This is a really great idea with the wristbands! I wish you could of worked with other schools to implement this idea!

[Lunalady711]

QUOTES: If you judge people, you have no time to love them. - Mother Theresa, When you find peace within your-self, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others. Peace Pilgrim, spiritual leader, The greater your capacity to love, the greater is your capacity to feel the pain. Jennifer Aniston, American actor, The biggest disease today is not leprosy or Tuberculosis but rather the feeling of being unwanted, uncared for and deserted by everybody. Mother Teresa,

[Lunalady711]

Hi Brandon: I agree it took Joel Burns an immense amount of courage to do what he did. But I also commend you for agreeing with him and saying it in video. I love your idea about the bracelet. Can we just some how put the words " Actively Careing for People" on the bands and wear them until we give one away and then put another new one on for the next person that shows caring to another person? I think I would want to have many so I can really campaign your idea. Peace and Love to you.

[TheKincatt]

@Lunalady711 I'm going to make this (Actively Caring For People) my Facebook Status for One Week and encourage people to watch both Joel's and Brandon's vids. Let's start a cyber movement on this!!! It's all good and we need to get the word out there that this old-school bullying behavior needs to stop. Today!!

Cheers to Brandon and Joel!

[GaltSpeaking]

I think gay bullying is worse because not only are you attacked from the outside you are also already attacking yourself from the inside. That's what people don't understand. Gay kids are their own victims already because of the fears and doubts and self-hatred. Then a bully comes along like a match to a firework.

[napadude101]

Thanks for sharing your own thoughts !!! You may have helped save a life tonight. I don't know you.....but I like your open and very thoughtful attitudes.

[cubantranny]

Very cool Dude. You rock!

[joelburns]

Thanks Mr Carroll.

[bcarroll260]

@joelburns Thank you for responding. You truly are a modern day hero. It took a lot of courage to tell your story. I want to send you the first actively caring for people green wristband I ever received 2 years ago. It means a lot to me. If people say mean things to you, ignore it, for you are an extremely strong person. Thank you...seriously...thank you for being who you are and helping others do the same.

[michaelmemek]

@bcarroll260 I saw your video and impressed that you understand the word compassion. But you're view oc compassion is one sided. It is unfortunate that the issue of bullying as been extended to bullying against the gay. Homosexuality is a tough topic. I think homosexuality is gravely wrong and should never be accepted but bullying is also wrong and should not be accepted in society. But if you can be compassionate about gays, then we should be compassionate of bullies.

[RabbyKin]

@michaelmemek The fundamental difference between discerning between which is wrong, homosexuality and/or bullying is this: which one hurts others? Only one of the two. In the end, we don't have the right to judge if no harm is done, and if it is wrong, may God be my judge, and never my peers. I will accept His divine judgement, but I will not stand for bullying.

[STRUTTER777U]

@RabbyKin They both hurt others.

[RabbyKin]

@STRUTTER777U How does homosexuality (ie say if I were in love with another woman, which has nothing to do with you) harm you?

[Cm3Telo]

@RabbyKin it might not harm you but it hurts the future. U cant have children with the same sex

[evykas70]

How can I get one of them bracelets? That's an awesome idea!!

[TheChaz10]

Brandon:

Your video is pretty powerful stuff; I hope your idea spreads like the ripple you spoke of. What a joy to see a young guy with such a powerful and positive response to Joel;s speech. Thank you , and may the Force be with you!!!!

[3noodle]

Brandon,

Thanks for posting this vid. It's awesome to see someone like you standing up for bullied kids. I'm 45 years old now, but when I was 19, I was one of those young gay kids who tried to commit suicide because of the relentless torment inflicted upon me by my dorm mates in Vawter Hall: I was a student at VA Tech. It's particularly heartwarming that you're acting to combat bullying at my alma mater.

Richard, VA Tech class of 1988, JMU post-grad class of 1991

[gemmalover]

great video! and excellent idea

[NicKxWeekZ]

Nice job man

[gemini1766]

Very well spoken Jay. It seems to me that you could have a very good career ahead of you in communications of some kind. You do it so well.

[bawlSAKer]

amazing! 

[mtfalcon31]

Great video. Great message.

[Believe2Perceive]

Brandon your video was moving too, Thank You!!! : )

[marquisbear]

Brandon...very cool video and message young man!!!! Thank you.

[naseoj]

kudos man

[nvincent79]

I loved your video, I am doing a "persuasive" speech at my college on bullying. It would be cool to hand out those bracelets to the audience. Where can I get them?

[gerbss1]

Brandon, thank you for sharing your story, for taking the experience of a terrible tragedy and committing to do everything you can to change this crazy world for the better, one day at a time, one person at a time.

[LiberalAchi]

Thank you Brandon. Thank you for standing up with Joel. You've made me feel inspired knowing that there are other people out there who really care

[merripen57]

Awesome job, Brandon. I'm a 52-year-old former professor, and for years I've been trying to get people to focus not only on the negative stories that get told about today's youth, but on the positive ones. Your comments and your desire to make a difference are Exhibit A. And there are many more like you - if we'll only choose to actually look and listen for ourselves. Thank you for this great response to Joel's incredible speech.

[SlinkySim]

Brandon your video gives me hope that one day people can get along and put their petty differences aside.  Good luck to you, Im sure you will go far in life.

[Bill93940]

Brandon - this 63 yr old man thanks you for your compassion and for 'getting it'. Please make sure to continue to stand up for those afraid to do so for themselves!

[chrisfrost103]

Brandon, it's people like you who will really change the world!! It's so amazing that you have taken to this cause with such passion and I was really happy to see the steps you are taking to spread the message of love and acceptance....judging from the flag in the back it seems you are a Marylander like myself which is really awesome and I hope your message spreads far and we all need to do our parts to spread the message of love...Thanks for all your doing and best of luck to you!!

[jaylopez78]

Hey Brandon,

Great Vid man, Thanks for sharing with us. I couldn't help but smile as I thought to myself he gets it! That's an amazing idea you got there! I'm from New York and I would like to be a part of that campaign. How can I get in touch w/ you?

Jason

[bcarroll260]

@jaylopez78 Thanks for the feedback. I was moved to tears watching Joel's speech. I can only imagine what he went through, and what the gay and lesbian youth experience. Why can't people just be kind to others. It's hardly ever the wrong thing to do.

Shoot me an e-mail at brandoncarroll@vt.edu and I can send you a wristband to pass onto someone else.

Thanks for watching the video.

[SeattleRexx]

Thank you for "getting it"... I appreciate you taking the time and energy to post this video. I like your idea of the wristbands-empower the middle- Great Idea!