January 31, 2011 marks the first anniversary of one of the world's largest gay-friendly social networks.
Not long ago, Sharon Love of OUTstanding Lives Network had an “impossible” dream to inspire millions of people. She had lost her cousin to suicide when they were both in our twenties, and he was struggling with his sexuality. Love vowed to make a difference. Over the years, she volunteered thousands of hours to the LGBT community. Then she joined facebook, and got an idea.
She dreamed of creating a huge group like Pride Worldwide Online. A place where people could go for support, fun and a sense of belonging. A place for one global community, united. A place where an isolated gay youth could find encouragement. A place where a bullied bi or trans youth could find self-esteem.
A place to save lives. Seventeen times, Love tried and failed to create this place. Sixteen times, she learned something about social media and motivation. People laughed at her dream and said it was crazy… until this January 31, 2010. Then, they suddenly stopped laughing.
That was when Love created the facebook group called, “I bet we can find 1,000,000 People who Support Same Sex Marriage”. It attracted over TWO million people in just over two weeks.
"Guess I should have dreamed bigger when I created it!" Says Love, still amazed at the results. The group features over a thousand gay-friendly discussions, pictures, videos, and wall comments. Over 60,000 people signed a petition, and over 13,000 signed up for an e-newsletter. The budget for all this? Zero.
The new goal of OUTstanding Lives Network is to inspire millions and save lives through gay-friendly documentaries.
OUTstanding You is a documentary series to inspire pride in millions of youth of all sexual orientations and gender identities. It will feature OUTstanding Success stories of LGBTF youth and professionals, interspersed with confidence-building strategies by Sharon Love, M.Ed. (Psychology). Currently, we are seeking participants and sponsors. To get involved, contact sharon(at)outstandinglives.org or call 416-693-5683. Thanks! You make a difference.
Not long ago, Sharon Love of OUTstanding Lives Network had an “impossible” dream to inspire millions of people. She had lost her cousin to suicide when they were both in our twenties, and he was struggling with his sexuality. Love vowed to make a difference. Over the years, she volunteered thousands of hours to the LGBT community. Then she joined facebook, and got an idea.
She dreamed of creating a huge group like Pride Worldwide Online. A place where people could go for support, fun and a sense of belonging. A place for one global community, united. A place where an isolated gay youth could find encouragement. A place where a bullied bi or trans youth could find self-esteem.
A place to save lives. Seventeen times, Love tried and failed to create this place. Sixteen times, she learned something about social media and motivation. People laughed at her dream and said it was crazy… until this January 31, 2010. Then, they suddenly stopped laughing.
That was when Love created the facebook group called, “I bet we can find 1,000,000 People who Support Same Sex Marriage”. It attracted over TWO million people in just over two weeks.
"Guess I should have dreamed bigger when I created it!" Says Love, still amazed at the results. The group features over a thousand gay-friendly discussions, pictures, videos, and wall comments. Over 60,000 people signed a petition, and over 13,000 signed up for an e-newsletter. The budget for all this? Zero.
The new goal of OUTstanding Lives Network is to inspire millions and save lives through gay-friendly documentaries.
OUTstanding You is a documentary series to inspire pride in millions of youth of all sexual orientations and gender identities. It will feature OUTstanding Success stories of LGBTF youth and professionals, interspersed with confidence-building strategies by Sharon Love, M.Ed. (Psychology). Currently, we are seeking participants and sponsors. To get involved, contact sharon(at)outstandinglives.org or call 416-693-5683. Thanks! You make a difference.
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