Wednesday, October 6, 2010

October PSAs

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

One year, when I was in high school, one of the organizations put up signs that said, "Support Breast Cancer." I think we can all realize that they meant "Support Breast Cancer Research" but really it felt like one of those occasions when the jokes made themselves. "Really," my friends and I would say, "you want to support a disease that kills millions of women? Not sure we can get behind that."

Within two years, two women I love found lumps in their breasts. They're both better now, but it's scary. It's one of those things you don't think is going to happen to you or people you know. But it can, and early detection is incredibly helpful in the treatment and cure of cancer. So get mammograms and perform regular self-screenings. (Guys who might be reading this post, this goes for you too. A Y-chromosome does not except you from breast cancer. Sorry.) Combat breast cancer!

Or, as one friend used to say, "Save the ta-tas!"

October is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History Month.

While I could seize this opportunity to go discuss ad nauseum various members of the LGBT community who have done great things for history, culture, literature, etc, I won't. (Even though my love for Oscar Wilde knows few bounds). Instead, I want to link to this youtube channel.

This is the channel for the It Gets Better Project, which was started by Dan Savage and his partner Terry Miller started in memory of Billy Lucas, who committed suicide at the age of 15 because of the sexual-orientation related bullying he endured.

It want to say this to anyone on this site enduring bullying and harassment right now. Life might suck right now. I remember when life sucked in high school. Trust me, I know what that harassment looks like and sounds like, and I know what it can do to a person. I also know it gets better. I think my friends who got harassed in high school would agree with me that it gets better. You'll go out in the world, and you'll find people who love you and accept you for you are. People who can love like that do exist. You've just got to hold on until you find them. Because it gets better, and you should be there to see it.

7 comments:

  1. Here here! We all have to do our part for our boobs and for all those poor kids out there. Thanks Dominique. I couldn't have said it better myself.

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  2. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is in full swing. Thanks for helping spread the word!

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  3. Everyone at my kids' school is wearing I heart boobies bracelets for the cause. I have a friend struggling with breast cancer now, and my mother-in-law is in remission. It's really scary.

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  4. I love all the things breast cancer has done to get people's attention! I know there has been talk of the wording on the shirts and bracelets but I say if they are our ta-ta's then we can call them what we want!!!

    As far as being harrased it's always good to talk to someone!!! It could save a life!

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  5. I love your PSAs! Breast cancer has effected a couple of my friends and their mothers too. It's important we do support the research for cure, you just never know. And I do like the 'Feel your Boobies' tagline there. I've not seen that one before.

    LGBT - and Bullying at school or outside of it - it just has to stop. Fullstop.

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  6. Nice PSA's!

    I supported Breast Cancer with my friends by going to Cupcakes and buying Boob cupcakes - all the money goes to support the cause this month! And they are delicious.

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  7. Piedmont -- I'm just happy to help spread the word.

    Nicole -- My pleasure.

    Susan -- I know. But the support is important. I hope your friends are doing better.

    Jen -- I concur. If it's attached to your body, you can probably call it what you want.

    Talei -- I hope your friends and their mothers are doing well.

    Melissa -- Thanks for stopping by. The cupcakes sound like an excellent idea.

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