Big Names in Burlington

Tonight I had the pleasure of seeing Dan Savage talk about his It Get's Better Project at UVM. Normally I would be skeptical of him because despite being a prominent activist, he sometimes says things that I find to be inappropriate (as in bigoted, not just offensive). But, there I was, driving to UVM with four other members of Common Ground, not knowing what to expect.

And I could hardly have been happier. He was a spectacular speaker, and conveyed the most captivating mixture of humor, horror, and empathy. His honesty was sometimes shocking, and probably a testament to the fact that he makes his living as a men's sexual health columnist. He spoke about the creation of the project, the stories he had heard, the lives saved and lives lost, and his own history. He grew up in an ultra-catholic family and had his opinions on religion, Christianity, and those he calls fake Christians, such as the figure who runs the Family Research Council.

Savage in UVM's Chapel

Savage was the keynote speaker for UVM's LGBT month, which included several events to go along with Sexual Violence Awareness month. Other groups Savage encouraged listeners to support included The Trevor Project and GLESN.