Cincinnati Rollergirls Present IT GETS BETTER

It doesn't matter who you are, where you came from, or what your sexual orientation is. Kids of all sorts are bullied, and that leads to some very serious -- and deadly -- consequences. For that reason, the Cincinnati Rollergirls -- Cincinnati's nationally-ranked, amateur, all-female roller derby team -- are speaking out against bullying, providing encouragement, support, and muscle to kids who may feel there is no hope.

"Upon hearing that many youth were committing suicide after being bullied, particularly youth who identified as gay, or who were perceived to be gay by their attackers, I felt like I needed to share my story as a way to tell youth that they can make it through these dark times," says Cincinnati Rollergirl Sk8 Crime, who appears in the video.

"The thing that gives me strength as an adult is my roller derby team, so when I thought about what it means to 'get better,' I immediately thought about the love and support that my teammates give me," Sk8 Crime continues. "I knew that although many of my teammates are not gay, they had probably experienced bullying of other forms and had their own stories to tell. So we banded together on a cold winter day and film our version of the 'It Gets Better' tale. We know that it is the unity of our differences that make us a strong team, and hope that both youth and adults find empowerment in our experiences."

The video was produced by Plum Street Productions, a Cincinnati-based film and video production company.

"We've been partnered with the Cincinnati Rollergirls since their 2010 season, and we feel like we've become an extension of the team," says Plum Street's Kevin Necessary. "We were honored when CRG asked us to help them produce an It Gets Better message. It's perhaps the most important video we've done for the team."

For more information, please visit www.cincinnatirollergirls.com and www.plumstproductions.com.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• It Gets Better
• LGBT
• LGBTQ
• gay
• lesbian
• bullying
• Cincinnati Rollergirls
• roller derby

[EpicJorBreaker]

You have literally made me feel so, so much better about myself. I'm 13, and questioning myself. I get bullied for being different, and sometimes it makes me feel like I should be what they want. And now, You amazing people have made me WANT to be myself, and never who anyone else wants but myself.

You guys are my new derby heroes too! Love from the UK, and Royal Windsor Rollergirl's youngest member, JorBreaker ;D

[maneman13]

Way to go! I love these. :) Keep the positive messages flowing and people will take heart.

[TheAnonymousOnline]

Being a 16 year old lesbian and on a junior roller derby team and having to deal with serious bullying, seeing this video really was important for me. I'm grateful that y'all made this and really appreciate it. Things will get better (especially now that I have roller derby)

[amyww]

Roller Derby girls are the best. I'm so glad my three girls are part of it!

[punk19]

great vid! it does get better :D trust me, comingfrom a small town montana gay boy lol

[affollas99]

amen:)! love it... it gets better

[danpeak]

NIcely done. and warm too. Come check out my LGBT poems Medicine Bundle& The Waterfall Poem. Feel free to check out Orange Slice Ships and Glossy Americana-not necessarily LGBT themed but good. Take care@danpeak

[recoil669]

I'm a strait male and all I have to say is I LOVE ACE OF BASS!

[sweetholly1]

This made me cry. Beautifully done.

[BigBlueLion]

Moved to tears by this <3