Comments on: LOCAL CELEBS TELL GAY YOUTH: IT WILL GET BETTER https://www.mambaonline.com/2013/02/06/local-celebs-tell-gay-youth-it-will-get-better/ South Africa's leading LGBTQ news and community platform Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:14:57 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.10 By: Anon https://www.mambaonline.com/2013/02/06/local-celebs-tell-gay-youth-it-will-get-better/#comment-17265 Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.mambaonline.com/?p=12586#comment-17265 While I understand that this campaign is well-intentioned, I’m not convinced the It Gets Better idea translates all that well to the South African context where the problem is less teen suicide and more corrective rape. A bunch of mostly straight local “celebrities” blithely telling gay kids from middle-class homes with internet access that “it gets better” while no real measures are being taken to protect those who are most vulnerable strikes me as a bit patronising and even worse, dishonest.

]]> By: Ziggy https://www.mambaonline.com/2013/02/06/local-celebs-tell-gay-youth-it-will-get-better/#comment-17266 Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.mambaonline.com/?p=12586#comment-17266 In reply to Anon.

I agree – “it gets better” is a vast over-statement. And “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” is horrifyingly insensitive in the context!

]]> By: Mark https://www.mambaonline.com/2013/02/06/local-celebs-tell-gay-youth-it-will-get-better/#comment-17281 Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.mambaonline.com/?p=12586#comment-17281 In reply to Anon.

Ahmed Kathrada spent decades imprisoned by the apartheid government. Oscar Pistorius is redefining how the world views physical disability. When they say “it gets better,” they are speaking from personal experience. They aren’t “patronizing” and “dishonest.” Good for them (as straight people) for lending a voice to gay rights and equality more broadly.

]]>