Pirates anti-bullying video comes out swinging for “It Gets Better Project”

The Pittsburgh Pirates will join 50,000 other contributions to the It Gets Better Project, as the club debuts an anti-bullying video tonight.

The project to get the club to participate began last year and was spearheaded by local lesbian blogger and activist, Sue Kerr.

Kerr first reported the news on her blog, Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents.

In a press release announcing the video, Pirates President Frank Coonelly said bullying can’t be tolerated. “We feel it is important to get the message out that there is no place in our society for bullying anyone for any reason,” he said. “The organization is pleased to utilize our resources to help call attention to this subject and to encourage those that have been a victim of bullying to come forward and seek help.”

Kerr praised the decision, which started with her petition last summer.

“Working with the Pirates on this project and witnessing their increasing investment in our local LGBT youth has been a privilege,” she said in a release. “I grew up when Pittsburgh earned ‘The City of Champions’ title and this proves that we still hold it. I’ve never been more proud to be from Pittsburgh.”

According to the release, the Pirates will work with the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Pittsburgh (GLCC) and the local chapter of the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network “to build relationships with LGBT youth on an ongoing basis.”

The club is also sponsoring a meet and greet tonight with the team and GLCC youth.

We’ve contacted the club and will post a response when we hear back. In the meantime, the video will be released on YouTube and the It Gets Better Project web site at www.itgetsbetter.org.

This article appears in May 2-8, 2012.