View 'It Gets Better' video
A Shearman & Sterling video, produced by the law firm's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) affinity group, has been posted to the YouTube™ video community as part of the “It Gets Better” project. The “It Gets Better” campaign was conceived this past September by noted writer and media pundit Dan Savage as a platform for adult LGBTQ individuals and supporters everywhere to share with LGBTQ youth messages on why and how "it gets better."
The Shearman & Sterling five-minute video features statements from a number of the firm's partners and associates, as well as administrative staff, who stress that "It gets better, you can make it better and all of us can make it better together." The "It Gets Better" project has received prominent support, with US President Barack Obama, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and a number of public figures and entertainers producing and posting videos urging an end to the bullying of LGBTQ youth.
"This sharing of each of our own stories and our messages in particular—that it pains us to see that we as a community are still struggling, that we all must work together to make it better, and that the bullying of LGBTQ youth is simply not acceptable—need to be heard again and again, especially in light of the recent tragic deaths of young, promising men and women who were gay or perceived to be gay" says Alexandro M. Padrés, a Shearman & Sterling senior associate who spearheaded the video and is one of the co-chairs of Sterling Pride, the firm's LGBTQ affinity group.
He adds, "We want young people to understand that there is hope, that suicide is not an option and that we can work together to ensure that it gets better. We hope that this message, together with all the other messages under the auspices of the It Gets Better project, serves as a beacon of hope amidst the inhospitable environment many youth face in their day-to-day lives."
The recommendation to produce a video came from Sterling Pride and was immediately approved by firm leadership. Video participants Beau Buffier and Bernie Pistillo, Shearman & Sterling partners who advise Sterling Pride affinity group, applauded the group's efforts to advocate for and produce the video.
"It is very important that LGBTQ youth hear from those of us who have overcome adversity and who have had to face these same kinds of challenges in order to achieve acceptance and happiness in our lives," says Buffier, who offers his personal story and observations in the video. “We wanted to let those who might be struggling right now know that they shouldn’t limit their aspirations or hopes because of their sexuality or sexual identity. Even in a somewhat conservative profession such as the law, there are large numbers of people who will accept them and value them for their talents and individuality.”
Adds Pistillo, "We're hopeful that this contribution to the It Gets Better project will serve as an invitation and will inspire other law firms and companies to communicate their own positive message to LGBTQ youth. There's a long way to go, because there are a lot of young people trying to cope with very negative messages and living in difficult situations involving bullying and all sorts of discrimination, but we hope this will be just a first step in the right direction."
Anna Brown, Shearman & Sterling's Director of Diversity, who oversees the firm's multiple associate-run affinity groups, adds that Shearman & Sterling has long supported the LGBTQ community.
"This important initiative is consistent with Sterling Pride's leadership and community outreach efforts," she says. "The depth and breadth of our global diversity and inclusion efforts extend beyond the firm to many communities."