Gay California teen Eric James Borges commits suicide, weeks after posting an It Gets Better video

This is Eric James Borges. He posted this It Gets Better video last month. Yesterday, he committed suicide. Eric, 19, was an intern with the Trevor Project, a suicide prevention organization for LGBT youth.

Jim Reeves, Vice President of Queer Landia, had met Eric personally. He reports about his suicide:

Word began spreading late Wednesday among shocked and saddened friends and acquaintances.  Not accepted by his birth family, EricJames was striking out on his own, trying to deal with his personal situation, but also wanting to help others.  Sadly, even involvement with the Trevor Project was not enough to help him navigate the turbulent waters of young adulthood.

Update: Stephnie Davison, a classmate and good friend of Eric’s responded to this blog post by sharing a bit about Eric:

He was an amazing person who was bullied throughout his entire life. He was beaten at home for being gay and kicked out multiple times. His mother never approved of him being himself. When he tried to be Eric, he couldn’t. He was an artist, a friend, a boyfriend, and a truly amazing individual. EricJames Borges will always be remembered and he was my friend.

[…]

His mother disowned him, and refuses to talk to him. I’m not sure that she knows he even committed suicide tbh.

Google Chrome runs television ad featuring the “It Gets Better” project

Google Chrome is running a television ad featuring Dan Savage’s “It Gets Better” project. The commercial is part of Google’s biggest offline ad campaign.

The video, which was uploaded to Google Chrome’s YouTube account on Monday, features Dan Savage any the many other videos that were created for the project.

“Beginning with one inspiring video, Dan Savage used the web to create the It Gets Better project—a movement that has generated thousands of uplifting videos that give hope to teens.”

According to the New York Times, Google Chrome’s overall television campaign is “the biggest offline campaign ever for Google.”

Countless others have been joining in on the project. Just last month, Apple employees launched their own video.

Last year, Google announced that it would offer gay employees extra pay to allow for tax inequality.

Did you know?: A “Gaygler” is a gay Google employee?

(Video via Reddit)

Apple employees: It Gets Better

Apple employees share a personal message for the It Gets Better Project.

(via The New Civil Rights Movement)

WATCH: Katy Perry’s new “Firework” video, dedicated to the “It Gets Better” Project

Katy Perry just released a music video for her song “Firework,” which she dedicated to the It Gets Better Project.

On October 28, she posted on her Twitter account:

I am officially dedicating my new video to #itgetsbetter, because everyone has the spark to be a FIREWORK.

Dave Meyers, the director of the video, wanted it to be “100% real,” so they moved away from the Hollywood feel and found real people rather than actors.

“Finding two gay guys in Budapest was a challenge, because it’s not as accepted there as it is in West Hollywood. I found an actual, real couple.” Meyers said in an interview with MTV.

Recently, Pink told indemand.fm that her ”Raise Your Glass” video will celebrate gay rights by featuring a gay wedding.