It Gets Better: NYC Designing Men

Interior designers and design community members John Eason (John Douglas Eason Interiors), Patrick J. Hamilton (AskPatrick), Carl Lana (Beale-Lana Design), Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz (BNO Designs), Michael Tavano, Darrin Varden, and Kenneth Wampler, founder and Director of The Alpha Workshops, add their voices and personal stories of growing up Gay to the "It Gets Better" project. This pro bono project was filmed at the New York Design Center, in the Keilhauer showroom, and shot, produced and directed by Jeff Cadge, of Cadge Productions.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• it gets better
• interior design
• interior designer
• gay
• gay rights
• anti-bullying
• new york city
• designing men
• cadge productions
• manhattan
• The Alpha Workshops
• AskPatrick.blogspot.com
• John Eason
• Carl Lana
• Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz
• New York Design Center
• NYDC
• Michael Tavano
• Ken Wampler
• Kenneth Wampler
• homophobia
• gay pride
• Keilhauer
• Jeff Cadge
• Cadge video
• new york
• bulling
• The Trevor Project

[derron22]

Thanks so much to everyone who put this together, but being a Black gay man, I did have two concerns: why are there no lesbian Interior Designers in the video & why are there no Black designers in the video as well? Just wanted to know those two questions, but thanks for posting this!

[hatrick2779]

@derron22-- This video was comprised of, but not meant to represent ALL, members of the NY design community, by any stretch! The omissions you cite were by no means intentional. These men were people who I felt comfortable asking. I do not have that kind of relationship with any lesbian designers, as an example... or at least any woman who half self-identified to me as such.

The beauty of "It Gets Better" is that anyone can contribute, so you can always add your own voice to the chorus!

[hatrick2779]

@hatrick2779 I also do not know, personally, any Black gay designers.

[derron22]

@hatrick2779 understand not knowing people, but one could reach spend a little bit of time to reach out to the Design community at large. When you’re an Interior Designer, you spend quite a bit of time reaching out to people that you don’t know in order to complete a project. When you’re making a video saying that “it gets better” then there is a responsibility to show how it can get better so youth know that no matter your race, ethnicity or background, that it can actually get better!

[hatrick2779]

@derron22 And you are FULLY entitled to make your own video. Not sure why you are spending any energy criticizing people who have actually done something, to the best of their abilities. This video was never intended to tell the ENTIRE story... the It Gets Better Project actually does that part quite beautifully. It was only intended to add to the chorus.

As far as other conscious steps, don't assume this is the only step any of has taken. It would be presumptuous, and in error, on your part.

[hatrick2779]

@derron22 Easier said than done, and again, presumptuous, since you have no idea how much time went into this, exactly, or what was sacrificed.

Multiple races, ethnicities, and backgrounds *were* represented. Maybe just not yours.

A reminder, too, that the original It Gets Better project was because of Gay suicides, specifically, in the absence of resources dedicated to this vulnerable group which often has NO place to turn, to be heard, recognized, or reinforced.

[RandiReitan]

This is a most touching "It Gets Better" video. As a mom with a beloved gay son, I am so grateful these beautiful men shared their lives with us. It is powerful and it is loving. It made me laugh and cry. I thank each one for this wonderful gift for young people just coming out and for their moms who love them.

[TheMorningglorytaffy]

Carl Lana is a lovely guy. Very nice to see him here.

[putidiputi]

Very nice job. 

[RayX75]

moving, real, sincere... love you guys, thank you

[RayX75]

love you guys, thank you!

[newgeorge]

excellent excellent vid!

[tneigermc]

What a wonderful, moving and affirming video. I hope gay children everywhere get to see it.

[biker47]

@derron22 The men that were featured in this video did so because they were ready to affirm their sexual status. They also wanted to help those that were feeling less than. Many gay black men are not ready to announce themselves to the world. i hope this video makes them think that perhaps they can. Thanks to hatrick 2779 and to all the video participants.

[derron22]

@hatrick2779 Still think that the video was good, but the way it can get better is if we take conscious steps to make it better for the current & future generations of youth.