From Deutsch NY comes “The Homecoming Project,” a new campaign for non-profit Live Out Loud that encourages LGBT professionals to mentor and empower LGBT youth.
Using the tagline “Gay It Forward,” which is a pun on the phrase “pay it forward”–which in turn became the title of an overwrought 2000 movie in which then-young star Haley Joel Osment attempts to trick people into doing good deeds before he (thankfully) gets stabbed to death–the campaign depicts gay and lesbian professionals returning to their high schools to describe their struggles growing up in a not-so-friendly world. Apparently, the rampant homophobia these individuals had to overcome has not only influenced them to become strong, confident, and charitable adults, it’s also given them quite a penchant for drawing colorful pictures on chalkboards.
Similar to the incredibly popular “It Gets Better” campaign started by sex columnist Dan Savage, “The Homecoming Project” also seems to be of the mindset that good role models are an incredibly important tool in helping young people struggling to come to terms with their homosexuality. The campaign will also feature a print and outdoor component coming to a New York City kiosk near you. For more on this initiative, visit Live Out Loud’s website here.