It Gets Better: Etsy Admin

This is something that really does need to be addressed! Great post!!!

Thank you for bringing this to the forefront!

Love this! Awareness is the key! Thank you.

thanks for the info

WOW... Bravo!!!! Im not gay, but my Father was. Being a teen in the 80's when AIDS first came out and having a gay father was just down right hard being in Jr. High. Kids are so cruel. I lost some friends and got in fights all to defend my Dad who was slowly dying. Extremely rough back then. Very happy that we have come a long way with acceptance and understanding. Thank you for this article!!!!! xoxoxo to who's idea it was!!

Dan Savage LOVE LOVE LOVE HIM! This is wonderful and as MegansMenagerie says Yes it needs to be address!

being different is hard.

HUGE ROUND OF APPLAUSE!

Thank you for this article,thanks for your sharing.

Great video & awareness, there is no such thing as normal. I always laugh when people talk about dysfunctional families. Well mine put the FUN in dysfunctional, lol. TY, great job!

This is beautiful, guys - I love it. I was totally tearing up.

This is wonderful! Thank you Etsy for standing up and addressing the issue!

It's definitely getting better but it's such an embarrassingly slow process of acceptance. Bravo Dan Savage.

i got goosebumps watching this! thanks for heading this project, morgan and thanks to all who shared their stories!

So awesome!

Thank you Etsy for standing up and addressing the issue!

Wonderful article.

Great work

Yes! So glad to see Etsy address this most important issue!

Love this and really love the stories behind the admin. It is amazing how these issues that fill your teenage years and threaten to swallow you whole turn out to be so small later in life, in looking at the grand scheme.

Great piece. thank you.

Though I'm not gay I have been bullied as a child and know how hurtful it is first hand. Thank you for this article, very touching.

such an important topic to be open and understanding about.

Great job...I love you guys and I love this.

So wonderful and important as vintageEye said. I am proud to be a part of such a great and loving community setting the standard for what it means to be human and successful in business and in life. Etsy and individuality rules.

Nice to see this. Thanks for putting it out there.

Great work, thank you!

Lovely...really lovely. Thank you!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you Etsy!!!

Thank you so much! Validation of pain and struggle is the only way we're gonna let go and get through to something better! (And like the campaign claims -- it DOES get better) Very impressed with the Etsy communities -- thank you.

Life will get better, it just takes time

This is wonderful! Thanks so much for making this video!

So proud to be a member of the Etsy community right now. Thank you!

LOVE IT!

Wow, this is such a great campaign about such an important issue. Glad to see people doing everything they can to help others and make the world a better place.

That was fabulous. I think the more people make these videos and share their stories, the more kids and teens of all types who are being picked on for whatever reason, they're going to realize that if ALL THESE PEOPLE made it, then they can too. Thank you for making this video. I shared it with my little sisters, and I know both of them really needed to see and hear the message within it. :)

Love!

An Aussie amongst the mix also! Woo! Great vid guys. I enjoyed watching. :-)

Very moved! Great piece ...

Beautifully said!!! People grow and learn and what a wonderful message....it does get better. You will be stronger, kinder and wiser ~ {{Hugs}} to my Esty community!

I love being a part of Etsy, this is what it is all about, the people, their creativity and reaching out to others. A great Holiday feeling...thanks for that!

Well done! Add my voice to the message...it really does get better. So very much better.

Thanks for this ETSY.

Thank you for sharing this with so many people- it is very important and we must spread the word to make things better!

Wonderful thanks for putting this out there!

Thank you so much for doing this video! It means so much. It made us cry and LOVE Etsy even more than we already do.Didn't know that was possible :) What a beautiful community here!

Thank you Etsy for supporting It Gets Better!!! We are happy that our store is part of an organization of inclusion and acceptance...we have created a piece as a fund raiser for The Trevor Project and invite everyone to take a look - it is called "You Have The Right To Be Yourself" - $5 from the purchase of each piece will be donated.

What a great message! Thanks Etsy!

Awesome! I'm proud to be part of this great community! Sharing this right away!

i think this is so powerful ...and the boat is so cool too!!

Great theme addressed! Always when I see lots of those important themes coming up I feel how the world is changing towards something more peaceful, aware and friendly and I'm so glad about that!

That was great. & it's so true; it does get better.....way better after H.S. Thank God!!!

This is awesome!

Fabulous work - thank you.

How great and how true.

I love that Etsy posted this. This issue just brings tears to my eyes every time. I have many gay friends and relatives whose experiences sound so similar to the stories my parents tell me of growing up Mexican American in the 50s and 60s. This is such an important message that includes everyone who does not fit the 'normal' mold.

thanks ;-)

Thank you Morgan and all. I'm very proud of you. This is really amazing. And you know what? It DOES get better! :-) <3

From the bottom of my heart, thank you Etsy! This is an issue I feel incredibly strongly about for a number of reasons. Each year is more amazing than the last, and I am incredibly proud to be far from normal and a part of a community which also embraces all the things which make us fascinating and rich. Thanks again, Etsy! :)

You all just made my day. Peace for your journey, and thank you. xoSherry

thank you for this.

It's FANTASTIC that this is finally being addressed! This really hit home because I saw what my younger sister went through 4 years when she came out to the family as well as one of my best guy friends when he dealt with coming out in a very very conservative university. Thank you for posting this!

It definitely does get better...thank you for posting this...so proud to be a member of Etsy right now :) xoxo

Very nice!

This is a great article and I support gays and lesbians!

That was wonderful! I'm proud of you, Etsy!

etsy, if you remove the nasty post i am referring to, it makes no sense...

Truly amazing video - Thanks so much for putting this together Etsy - I know it sounds cliche, but the things that make us quirky and individual is really what makes us beautiful :)

Great story, so important for people to be able to discuss and not judge.

I love this post and support the campaign. You all did a great job with this video!

so proud to be an etsy seller/member. what a lovely community. <3

Wonderful!

Thank you all! Wonderful and heart warming. :) It does get better. Somehow, with increasing age, embracing differences seems to increase wisdom.

it does get better....

How very nice of you to do this video and support such a worthy cause! Well done! The teen years are so very difficult for both gay and straight people that everyone needs to hear that the situations which are overwhelming then can be resolved successfully later in life!

An excellent video! Thank you for sharing your experience and I am certain it will help many!

PURPLE PETAL--how incredibly heartbreaking. Great example of intolerance. If anything, Etsy, I'm sure you'll GAIN many more members after this beautiful article. Thank you for joining in the campaign, and not being afraid to be vocal when so many other companies try to avoid uncomfortable topics. I am absolutely, 100% proud to be a member. Oh, and did I mention that I derive at least a quarter of my engagement ring sales from gay/lesbian couples? It's a beautiful thing. Thank you Etsy, and thank you to my creative, individual, and varied Etsy community!

Bravo.

I'm straight, and don't understand homosexual attraction. As well, as a Bible student, there are a number of references strongly discouraging it. However, the pain some of you folks had to go through spoke to me as well. Sounds as if it can be a rough road. So I suppose to cut to the chase, gay or straight, the pursuit of happiness is a age old quest, and we all have to search for the true path with a honest heart and work. If thats the route you wish to go, although I disagree with your choice,(and perhaps you've adapted not to be bothered what I think), you still have my respect.

we live... we love.... we learn..... and we make this journey but once...let's make the best of it :) Best wishes to all ♥

Amazing! We need more caring and compassionate people like you.

So many beautiful stories from such beautiful human beings. Thank you Etsy for embracing everyone and encouraging us to be exactly who we are.

Thank you for doing this!

THANK YOU DAN SAVAGE!

go etsy. when i was much younger, a teen, a gorgeous creature with silver tinsel hair and big eyelashes befriended me on a visit to new york by myself. she (or he) gave me a walking tour of greenwich village and the history of gay rights that ended at stonewall and the story of the riots and the birth of gay rights. after that s/he took me to his favorite neighborhood haunts including some drag bars. they didn't bother with the i.d. i was never a homophobe, but i lived in ignorance and indifference before that. this person for whatever reason shared her/his world with me. her/his elucidation and compassion for my youth and ignorance changed me. small acts like that and big things like this etsy video create huge shifts. thank you.

Touching video!

*standing O*

Thank you so much for bringing the It Gets Better Project to the forefront Etsy. Much love to all of our Etsy friends this holiday season and big bright wishes for a better world tomorrow, free of billying and bigotry. xoxo And Mclovebuddy, your story is so cool :) Like an angel.

I'm glad to know I'm involved in a caring and loving community here at Etsy. Thank you. I love it here! :)

xoxo

Bravo! Thanks for sending such a great message. I concur...it is a great community here.

So incredibly proud to work at Etsy. Great job friends!

Present day American is different now then when I was growing up, I to was an outcast, a loner. Spent my younger days memorizing books and movies, going to school and not wanting the shades to be pulled down in the classroom so that kids were blinded by the sun and couldn't look at me to tease me. being slammed into lockers or having your artwork spit upon in the cafeteria. that was my childhood, Now children and young adults have diversity clubs in schools being different is becoming more mainstream and suicides are far in few between because of the efforts of caring people that are now speaking out against cruelty to humanity. Thanks for posting ETSY

This is wonderful! Thank you for posting this! I was bullied non-stop from day one of school (with it reaching it's worst in junior high) so I know all too well what it's like. It does get better. That is truly a message of hope.

This is wonderful, makes me very proud to be part of the Etsy community indeed!

This was beautiful! And so true! "Individuality is the currency" I love that! I am a Girl Scout leader and I try constantly to teach the girls to love themselves for who they are. It’s a tool every teen should have in their arsenal.

It does get better. As I tell my teenage sons.

This is so wonderful... it made me tear up. Thank you very much for posting this :)

Hey hooray! Thank you etsy for having the courage and compassion to keep the spotlight on this issue. And thank you for your ongoing support of the Queer Team's efforts. Much love to you all and best wishes for the happiest of Holidays!

Thank you for making this video. The people who spoke were just lovely. I was born in 1945 and the changes in my lifetime have been amazing. I am so happy to be alive now. One thing I appreciate so much about Etsy is the very human connection I can have with the makers and other sellers. Thank you.

Beautiful!

Etsy, thank you kindly, for a simple yet powerful message.

Such an amazing campaign and so happy to see the wonderful etsy team's video. Such brave souls, all of you, and happy to show my support in any way I can. xo Melissa

Thanks for sharing and bringing this message to us!

This is good. Nice job!

Etsy continues to bring me new forms of happiness everyday, this was so touching and wonderful. What a great powerful message.

Dan Savage is an awful man, but the hope that his project and people like you inspire is priceless. It doesn't get better. WE get better as a society. It's not just about bullied kids sticking around- it's also about US making sure we all do our part to make the world they grow up in safer, better, and more accepting for those who aren't lucky enough to be in that environment already. Thanks so much for sharing!

Thank you. Where was this message when I was growing up a million years ago. Thank you. Thank you.

Another message I would add to the "It Gets Better" campaign is this: try not to conform just because it seems easier. Don't pretend you're straight if you're not. Don't go to law school because that's what your parents want you to do. You sacrifice your very heart and soul when you pretend to be someone you're not. To the best of your abilities, find out who you are and go with it.

this is fantastic etsy admins!

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Hang in there, folks--the winds of change are blowing. Blowing strong. Hang tight. Hang tight. Hang tight.

Besides having a store on Etsy, I also teach high school. Our school runs the It Gets Better Ads on the school news station. I really admire this movement and hope it does help teens. I have worked with teens that have struggled to stay strong when others judge them. Its a tough world out there for those kids. We have to set the best example and show them that acceptance of differences is the best way to be. If you know a teen that is facing problems from their peers based on their differences from them, let them know you are there for them and that you love them. It can make a big difference.

it does get better, I've heard from my son.... but it's still gotta get a lot better when you are still a young guy, like 23. hope is hope is hope.

THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS!

tears

it does get better- albeit sometimes two steps forward, one step back. plunge yourself into being creative. before you know it the world will change along with your attitude. cant believe DADT is being repealed- finally feel the world is turning a more accepting, welcoming,corner for all its people.

This is a wonderful article/video... and actually just what I needed this evening. Being so different from everyone around you, as well as rejecting their expectations of you, is so difficult. I've always struggled with being "different," there always being something "wrong" with me so that I don't fit in with any group. I know, though, that someday these may be the very characteristics that help me achieve a better quality of life for myself and my family. Thank you so much!

How can so many people hate so few ... and then blame it on their religion. Thank you, Etsy, for having common sense and courage. I'm glad to see comments here that have some, too.

YESSSSS! Undying love for Etsy now. Freaking sweet, people. Thank you.

Ditto the positive comments about etsy...bullying can happen even to an older person in the workplace...that's why I am thankful to etsy!

Thank you etsy! This is such a creative and heartwarming way to address this! My brother was gay, and was always bullied, so he didn't come out until after college. When he did, my mom refused to accept it and it hurt him so much, but now three years later she's opening up. Change comes with time, but awareness articles like these really help people open their eyes! Thank you :)

I agree bullying can happen at any stage of our lives and its good to make a stand!

Lovely Etsy, thank you. Just thank you.

Amazing!

"Ceux qui vivent ce sont ceux qui luttent" (Victor Hugo) "Those who are living are those who are fighting" (sorry for the english, but Bravo for the idea)

This is wonderful! Thanks so much !

Amazing ! Thank you Etsy for standing up and addressing the issue!

Great to hear about this project. Thank you.

Hooray, Etsy! Gay, straight, whatever -- life gets a million times better when you're out of your teenage years and you can be who you are. Thank you for making me even prouder to be part of this community!

Bravo to Etsy for making and posting this video. This is what the Etsy community is all about... the support and inclusion of many different walks of life, all coming together in one big family of artists.

Beautifully done. Acceptance, self or otherwise, is a universal theme and this is a terrific ode to that. Thank you for sharing it.

RAISE THE PRAISE!!!! ...to Etsy Admin. for addressing this issue - thank you SO much! It's our differences that make our world unique - ever see a bully stand alone? Uniques unite!!! We can turn the tide!!

Great project! I'm happy to see Etsy bringing such an argument in the foreground. We all hope in a better tomorrow!

I am so proud of etsy!

I am so proud to work at Etsy and embrace difference and 'weirdness'and artistry and everything that comes with being a human being! Thanks to all who shared their stories to let teens know it does get better!

Well done! This is an amazing video!

Gay or Straight, who cares! The bullying has to stop, and we have to help bring this end about. I have friends who are gay, bi, and straight and all of them have been nullied at one point or another. We need to encourage people to be who they are and accept and love them despite differences.

Wonderful! I have always said middle school is the worst place to send a kid to, if my children are having problems in middle school I will bring them home and let them learn in an environment free from bullying. Those years pass by and life gets so much better! Thank you to all those who shared their message!

Thank you!

Our Children are our Future... I am so glad this was addressed... Bullying in School is a major Problem, I have a 17 year old, that isn't gay, but Bi-Racial...

Zero tolerance for bullying - of any nature!

wonderful! thanks for doing this.

If each of us does our tiny part to make it better, it does get better in the big world. I'm proud of you, Etsy! Thanks for sharing.

This clip is so wonderful! And not to mention the cause behind. Am gonna share it on my fb!

This made me cry! I hope that my little girl grows up in a world where differences are celebrated and I hope that she feels free to be whoever or whatever she wants to be without persecution. And as a proud military family, we celebrate the fact that DADT was repealed. A stain on this country has been lifted! and as I'm writing this President Obama has just signed the repeal! Whoo hoo!

A great message for teens in just dealing with this point in time whether you are gay or not!

Thank you! I hope this video and the other "It gets better" videos reach a huge audience, especially (as others have said) young people. Bravo!

It's diversity & individuality that we're celebrating, not simply gayness. Being gay is one thing that can make people (esp. teens) feel like outcasts & we all have to do what we can to make sure that EVERYONE feels valued as part of our community, regardless of race, colour, religion or sexuality. The differences don't just make life more beautiful, they also make the mass of people you have to deal with a lot more interesting... so I practice tolerance as much for myself as for anyone else! :-)

Truly beautiful. Thank-you for sharing :)

As someone who works with teens, thank you! It is so very important for us adults to share our stories of self-discovery and perseverence of all kinds with younger folks. It is the proof that while life does't get easier, it does get better. And as we age we find ways to be grounded in our wonderful selves.

Beautiful video! We are happy to see Etsy spread these kind of messages. We hope that 2011 will be more sensitive and open minded about these topics!

Always grateful for the beautiful that artists can find in ALL people-race, gender, class, abilities---we are all people! And all beautiful!

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." Anne Bradstreet I welcome the spring of diversity

I don't know who the last man who spoke is...but he said it all. Once we are adults...individuality IS the commodity. I used to sing the Beatles song to my son when he was in school: "It's getting better all the time." I love all the differences about Etsy. I've landed on the creativity planet with "my people". xo

Kudos to Etsy and especially to the brave staff who spoke so openly. Thank you for leading by example, it inspires and reinforces that none of us are alone. How about a gay weddings section on Etsy?

What a great post. Thank you for sharing. Wishing all of you much peace, happiness and joy. Striving to make this world better is all we can do. We are so lucky that we live in this time. Its not perfect..but if we focus on whats good and positive..it has gotten better. Like I always say "Dream a little dream and make it come true!"

THANK YOU, Etsy for stepping up to the plate, sts. These two related quotes come to mind. "This above all: to thine own self be true..." William Shakespeare “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Eleanor Roosevelt Repeat mantra style, as needed, in defense against this judgmental world.

"Individuality is the currency." {Love that!} May we all find the confidence to be our true selves, as well as the encouragement and confidence to allow others to be their true selves. Imagine the world we'd thrive in... Happy holidays to all!

Thank you for this!!! I have several gay friends who have been mistreated and completely disowned by their family and their community! They need our support more now than ever!!!

Fantastic article. Thank you Etsy! Peace and love to all.

Wonderful Post! It really does get better. Hopefully someone who needs to know that sees this video~ very inspiring :)

I LOVE THIS! Thank you so much for this post and ones like it. So gonna share this :D

"You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." ~Christopher Robin to Pooh

I was deeply moved by your post for two reasons. First, my 16-year-old son, who was bullied and ostracized by his classmates, committed suicide almost twenty years ago. I miss him every day still, and wish my influence had somehow been enough to convince him to stick around for better days. Second, I was a middle school counselor for many years, and I worked diligently to change a culture that allows bullying and intolerance. I am happy to say none of my students committed suicide, and a few told me I saved their lives. We can each make a difference; thanks for speaking out.

I was deeply moved by this post. Thank you for being part of the solution. I lost my 16-year-old son to suicide, and while that's been almost 20 years ago, I miss him every day and wish I could have helped him hold on for better days. In addition, my many years as a middle school counselor put me on the front lines of suicide prevention. More than once I heard "You saved my life" and those words kept me going after Jason's death. Thanks for raising awareness. Imagine a country without bullying!

runs on over and HUGS jadedgoats

High fives to Etsy~! Very inspiring post~ I'm so happy to be apart of this community. Thanks for having us.....

Thank you, Etsy! I am always touched when you bring such issues to the community in an open and loving way. This is a great post and one I intend to share. We can only hope that hatred will come to an end and we will no longer have to say it will get better, it will just be. (((jadedgoats)))

Inspiring. In a world where mass media exerts a strong influence on defining the norm and our culture (in school, life, work, etc), pursuing happiness in your own terms in noble indeed.

Happy to see Etsy participating in the "It Gets Better Project" !!!

yay! so glad to see Etsy's contribution to the incredibly powerful It Get's Better Project!!

I love the IT GETS BETTER item ... so cute

The changes are slow but they are coming. If we teach our children tolerance and the love of all human beings it will get better. I am proud to say I have 3 adult, totally non- prejudiced sons.

i am glad to be exposed to a very important project. i am always glad to see etsy involved in efforts like this.

That was just wonderful - thank you so much for doing that video and sharing it. And the comments on this page make me even happier. You are all to be commended. I'm loving being a part of this community.

So beautiful. Thank you, Etsy!

I'm glad to see Etsy taking part in this project. Kudos to you.

Amazing....thanks for bringing this to the etsy community! :)

I'm so thrilled that we're a part of this important campaign. It does get better, thank goodness!

As someone who comes from a family where different relatives have very different beliefs, I've found it really strengthening to know that love and support can transcend religious differences. We know that we're not all the same and that's ok, as long as we treat each other with love and respect.

Etsy, I'm proud of you. It is so good to see the video and read some of the hopeful comments here. Thank you.

this made me cry in the best way. i loved it, thank you etsy!

It is such an honor to be a part of this community. I love working at Etsy :) Thank you Morgan for getting this off the ground! The video is awesome!

Bravo Etsy!!

wonderful post.

Great article. Thank you.

I love this movement and know that gay teens benefit from the support.

thanks, etsy :)

This is so very lovely! Thanks, etsy!

So very lovely! Thank you for sharing your stories!

The norm is no norm.....and who defines it anyway... Love hearing from each of you and your thoughts...

Wow! What wonderul, heartfelt testimonials! Bravo Etsy!

This is so awesome! Well done, etsy!

i heart etsy!

That's lovely, thank you Etsy admin for sharing your thoughts and stories :)

yay!

Thank you .

That's awesome! I love selling on Etsy because I can be... me! Hugs a lot! \o/

Thank you for this post and all you do

As many have said, Thanks so much! B&G =^..^=

very good video... should be played for each kid in HS before they start their day. Casey @ tin years

Beautiful :) Thank you!

Wow, so awesome!! I love how the speakers spoke in a way in which, i think, almost everyone can relate to and understand. To me, that's what makes this video really remarkable! It really allows people from all walks of life feel empathy, and hopefully, acceptance.

Thanks for doing that video. This is the message that all kids need to hear. I especially liked the last speaker's message - the traits that are made fun of in high school are the same traits that will be searched out and rewarded later.

Glad to see that you are keeping this video is still here. Good job.

Bullying of any kind,for any reason is very cruel. I was bullied at school as a 7yr old because I wore glasses,(1960's). Even one of the teachers was heard saying I couldnt be the angel in the nativity play because, angels don't wear glasses. That changed me as an innocent child, I refused to sing or go onto stage anymore till the day I left senior school. Nowadays thankfully, glasses, braces, being slightly different from the crowd is being accepted and embraced, long may it rule. Linda:)x

i'm twelve and was thrown into the world of bullying last year upon entering sixth grade. i had no idea why people didn't accept me. why were they being so mean? they picked on me because i wasnt the exact prototype of normality. the exact person they wanted. they seemed to dislike me because i was good at school, because i was creative and different. all the things i had previously loved about me, they hated about me. it made me question my own self worth. luckily enough, i had my friends, especially the people from my school's writers club, who were in the exact situation as me. they loved me for who i am and still do. i realized the people who i was being judged by were just stupid, jocks scared of who they were and totally closed minded. i learned to love myself, and, as i did, other people did too. now i'm in seventh grade and have a load full of what i call my "beloved freak friends". sometimes, people still call me a freak and judge me because of my weight, intelligence, or love of cute emo boys. to them i just say, you need to know yourself before you judge someone else.

There needs to be more love and definitely more acceptance in blogs and groups such as this one. The visual and performing arts have always been in the creative realm and therefore a constant in accepting people who "are not in the norm." Everyone needs to belong and feel important in what they do. I come from Massachusetts and we are still realing from the tragedy of the beautiful Pheobe Prince. She looks so much like an artist in her photos. To witchey, stay with your creativity. This year will pass; build friendships with people who are able to support you(one or two will do.) Continue to create, don't let jealous people crush your ideas, ego, or worse shove your creative juices into many dormant years.

This is such a great way of getting the word out there that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity. Where I am from we have been working for a year to get anti-discrimination laws passed for the LBGT community in regards to housing and employment. We finally did it last week. What a great feeling that this will help protect some of my best friends and people that I do not even know.

Better late than never, but this is a fabulous post. I hope more and more people (especially teenagers) can get a chance to see this. You've probably already saved some precious lives.

I somehow missed this a year ago, but bravo!

Great job! Nobody should ever be made to feel like a misfit or a freak for ANY reason. It's cruel. But cruelty and prejudice stem from ignorance and insensitivity, both of which can be overcome through education, through listening to peoples stories and sufferings. Compassion is the key, I believe. Please can we have less cruelty in our world. That would be my hope, my wish, and my prayer.

What a neat film.... so well done! Thanks for making this!!!!!! I think it is a great film for all to see, both gay and straight. As the mother of a teen I think it is hard for kids to understand that those teenage years end and there is a whole lifetime beyond that.... it is understandably hard for teens to see the forest for the trees. I was blessed as a child to have had my parents help me see that from a very young age and my husband and I have always tried to instill that on our kids. This idea of acceptance permeates most everything in my shop. You will see it in the "It's all good", "Blessed beyond words" , "Life is good" etc necklaces . And as a mother of a child with medical issues you will see it even in the simple acceptance sentiments of "It is what it is" necklace which is what I have always said to my daughter with regard to her Epilepsy but I have always marveled that it means something different for each person who wears it... and I am always so happy when they share with me their many story. Thank you Etsy admin for sharing your stories here with us today :) Caroline

it's really weird that etsy is so hypocritical across the board even though they have queers in their ranks. i'm not even gay and i get attacked by some of them. should i name you?

etsy, this is lovely. well done.

Another reason I love the people of Etsy

I'm so glad you repost this Etsy, and I hope you do so year after year to remind everyone how important it really is. I grew up in a very oppressive environment not only towards LGBT individuals but racially and even toward political leanings. This sort of prejudiced bullying applied across the board and now I can see that it has only hurt those who perpetuated it and made those of us who were subjected even stronger. I have always loved my LGBT brothers and sisters as they have always been the most loving among us. And though the pressures are great in formative years so is the creation of diamonds with their fantastic rainbow hues. Despite your sufferings, you will undoubtedly become the strongest, most resilient and most celebrated treasures of us all. A thousand self sculpting laser caresses to your weary hearts! Know that your brilliance will bring tears to the eyes of all who have the courage to live and love themselves and others with limitless intrinsic potential.

I really commend you, etsy, for not only showing your acceptance of the LGBT/"different" community but offering a real helping hand through the faces and voices of the beautiful people in your video. To some degree, we all struggle with acceptance and it was so kind and generous of you to offer us this bit of wisdom and hope.

I never thought that a service like Etsy would ever consider bulling, gay, etc. Never thought of that. In the country I live, Greece, this is a new thing conserning people, the whole thing. A gay man Gregory Vallianatos, a greek man, educated, is fighting for gay rights in Greece and I think he is supported by many gay men, and in general homosexuality. How can I notify him of this of you? Gregory has a Facebook site if you like to be part of his followers. https://www.facebook.com/#!/gregory.vallianatos.3?hc_location=stream Thank you for what you do. I also have an issue I would like to blog about.

Wonderful! Thank you Etsy for this!!!!!!!!

Oh my Stars I love this video it made me cry....I love you guys god has a special place for you, and just to know I have more sisters and brothers out to love, I say this cause I lost my brother he with honor was gay I love him and I miss him but he left you guys to love even thou I don't know you personally and you don't know me I love you all and a huemongus hug with all my heart. your sister Margarita (Margjie)

Thanks for sharing your stories and experiences.

Great Video. Thank you Etsy!

Yep. Thank you for my cleansing happy morning cry. Thank you Etsy staff for sharing!