Someone sent me this complex and beautiful message on Tumblr:
When I was 12 I watched your ItGetsBetter vid and I didn’t understand it. Now I’m an openly QWOC junior in HS. I thought of your vid after DallasPride today. I watched it again and it makes sense to me now; not much has gotten better. But i’ve gotten stronger and surround myself w/ppl who are better. THANK YOU for giving a chubby self-loathing Mexican lesbian something to think about all those years ago. I am still very much that person, but now, I’m happy with myself.
This video is for you, homeslice. Much love, I’m with you, I see you, I love you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH8aQ-9oRvc#t=20
Editor’s note: Here is Gabby’s original It Gets Better video, referenced above. We think both videos are perfect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr5ix1UUnPI
Before you go!
Autostraddle runs on the reader support of our AF+ Members. If this article meant something to you today — if it informed you or made you smile or feel seen,
will you consider joining AF and supporting the people who make this queer media site possible?
Join AF+!
Gabrielle Rivera is an awesomely queer Bronx bred, writer, spoken word artist and director.
Her short stories and poems have been published in various anthologies such as the Lambda Award winning Portland Queer: Tales from the Rose City and The Best of Panic! En Vivo from the East Village.
Her short film "Spanish Girls are Beautiful" follows a group of young Latina and Caucasian girls who like girls as they hook up, smoke up and try to figure sh*t out.
She also freelances for Autostraddle.com while working in the film and television industry.
Gabrielle is currently working on her first novel while bouncing around NYC performing spoken word and trying to stick it to the man.
gabby has written 102 articles for us.
gabby, i watched this in bed this morning and started my day off with tears. what a beautiful reaction to a heartfelt message. it seems like you always have the right words for any situation…
i hope the person who wrote the message to you sees this and knows she has a whole community behind her and that we all love her, too.
This post just brightened my day. I hope she watches your video Gabby.
Aw, that’s just wonderful. Love it. <3
Every part of this makes me feel so warm. Gabby, you are great.
I love everything about this. I want her to see your video so badly!
Awwwww! So many years in the making. I love the Internet for moments like this.
This made me cry, but it also made my heart so warm.
you’re so generous and warm and you build people up. thank you for sharing this!
This is so beautiful.
I love this so much.
i love this/gabby
This makes me want to be less of a cynical shitbag.