The guys in the video just being amazing.

When you think about frat bros, the first image that comes to mind is probably not a few do-gooders just looking for equality and happiness for everyone. The image you get is probably more of a polo-wearing kid chugging beer out of foot-long funnels on the front lawn of a gross college frat house.

Or at least, that’s the image I get. After my experiences with frat boys and fraternities in general, I can say that I’m usually pretty on point with that image. That sounds really stereotypical – and it turns out that it totally is. Because this video proves me wrong: not every frat guy is the same. In fact, some of them are seriously awesome and amazing.

Some of the brothers of a fraternity in Boston are raising money for one of their transgender brothers to get a sex-change surgery using social media. The bro in question was born female but self-identifies as a male, and unfortunately, his insurance denied covering his surgery. Their story has become huge and is literally all over the place. They somehow managed to make their YouTube video super popular and have so far raised over $19,000 with 29 days left in their campaign. Considering they were only looking to raise $4,800, this is amazing.

The guys say in their statement that “We are here less to raise money, and more to tell a story. The story of transformation, and story of self-discovery, and the story of brotherhood.” I think they’ve definitely succeeded.

Even more awesome? The excess money they’ve raised is going to the Jim Collins Foundation, which raises money to help transgenders get their sex-change surgeries. I’m tearing up a little bit right now, to be honest.

Watch these dudes in action:

My view on frat boys? Officially changed. I’m kind of bummed with myself that I was always so quick to judge fraternity brothers based on the experiences I’ve had and I’m thrilled that this Boston frat is proving me wrong. Sometimes people suck, but as one YouTube comment states, “faith in humanity = restored.”

Interested in donating? Go for it! You can literally donate any amount of money you want. It’s more about the cause than what you can give.

Did this video surprise you as much as it surprised me? Would you donate to this cause? What do you think of these guys? Tell me in the comments.

Can talking about rape get you expelled?

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter

Gender roles say he shouldn’t wear this dress–but we think he looks awesome! | Source

Gender roles determine a lot for you before you even have a say in them. When you’re a baby, chances are your room’s theme is either a pink one or a blue one, and when your parents picked out your clothes when you were little, it’s a safe bet you wore dresses or frills at least sometimes, right? And people probably bought you dolls for your birthday or holidays, because, hey, you’re a girl!

Thing is, with the way gender roles are in society, as you got older, if you wanted to wear pants and play sports, people probably didn’t even blink. But think about gender roles for guys: If a guy in your school tried out for the ballet or dance team, some people might raise an eyebrow at him. And if he wears lip gloss or a dress? Forget it.

A new article that we’d love you to take a gander at sheds a lot of light on gender roles, gender identity, and gender fluidity–because not everyone born a boy feels like being what people expect from a boy all the time, and not everyone born with lady bits feels like being what people expect from a girl all the time. It’s incredibly important to show tolerance and accept people for who they are, not what society’s gender roles expects them to be–especially when you consider how those same gender roles, describing what’s masculine and what’s feminine, have changed throughout history. Did you know that back in the day pink was considered a strong and masculine color, while blue was seen as girly and delicate? Or that boys wore dresses pretty often? It kind of drives the point home that gender roles are more used to make sense of our surroundings, but ultimately, over time, become sort of irrelevant, don’t they?

Girls are awesome (obvs!), but part of why boys who wear dresses or act feminine are often looked down on is because females are still seen, for whatever idiotic reason, as the weaker sex (granted it’s ignorant, chauvinistic people who feel this way). Gender roles are also part of what’s behind the fact that you probably make less than a man with the same exact job!

You’d be wise not to bully or be cruel to someone for any reason, but especially not for their lack of adherence to a gender role–because you don’t know his or her life or what he or she and their families have been through in dealing with that. Chances are they’ve been picked on at home or put through a slew of therapy with mom and dad.

It’s also pretty important to remember and to try to understand that just because a guy may be into eyeliner or skirts doesn’t mean he necessarily sees himself as a girl. He could just be a dude who likes eyeliner (remember when Pete Wentz was relevant?). Get to know people as people, not as images nor as examples of particular gender roles. The guy with long pink hair may be an awesome boyfriend. The girl with the buzzcut may have killer style. The danger of gender roles is that gender roles can stifle individuality.

And let’s be real: as long as you want your right to wear jeans respected (not that long ago women were SO not allowed to wear pants!), it’d be pretty hypocritical to pick on a dude for wearing a prom dress. Society and gender roles don’t determine who you are: You do.

Do you think gender roles are damaging to individuality? Do you think gender roles are helpful or harmful? Have you ever struggled with gender roles or knew someone who did? Tell us in the comments!

Are Some Toys Just For Boys?

Catch Us On The Tweet Side!

ShutterStock.com

New statistics from a survey of 10,000 LGBT teens between the ages 13-17 revealed 92 percent encounter hostility and bullying, while 50 percent say there isn’t a single adult that they can turn to if they feel worried or sad, 44 percent are not out to families, and 26 percent fear rejection by them.

Imagine being bullied and made fun of at school all day, then going home where you still don’t feel comfortable being yourself. Not too long ago I was a teenager too, I know parents aren’t always the easiest, but if you can’t express your interests, hobbies, or crushes in the privacy of your own home then what is there?! What if your hobbies don’t match up with what girls are supposed to conventionally do? Even if you’re not LGBT, unfortunately it still often makes people suspicious of your sexual orientation because you don’t fit into a traditional gender role. What if you’re a chick who loves carpentry or basketball? If your parents aren’t supportive of who you are you may never get to pursue those things. (And you’re probably really good at those things too.)

We’re not saying that parents of LGBT youth are bad, but they clearly need to step their game up! Laughing at jokes that are at the expense of gay people, supporting politicians who have anti-gay policies, speculating about a stranger’s sexual orientation–all these things can alienate kids from their parents without parents even knowing.

Don’t call that kid a “sissy” or take your kids to a church that discriminates! Even if your son or daughter just isn’t ready to express who they are, even if as a parent you’re totally oblivious–you may never know if someone is LGBT until they tell you. Moreover, you don’t want to turn your kid into a homophobe by making one too many “gay jokes” that you might think are harmless.

Why is it so difficult for adults to just say it doesn’t matter, to be present, to care? It’s bad enough that LGBT are more likely to be miserable than non-LGBT kids–with no support system it explains why LGBT teens have a much higher suicide rate.

If you’re a LGBT teen feeling lost or alone, there’s help! The Trevor Project is amazing and has counselors on hand to talk to you at 866-488-7386 and even an online chat system.

Do you know anyone who is LBGT that is having a hard time? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

Jackie talking about her sexuality.

When we heard about this awesome story of LGBT tolerance, we knew we had to share it with you gURLs. A 10-year-old boy, Jack, from Ohio has recently decided that he doesn’t feel right as a male — and despite how young he is, his parents are totally and completely supportive of his choice. It’s a story that you unfortunately don’t hear that much, but we love that these parents are encouraging their kid to be himself herself.

Jack is now known as Jackie, and believes that she was born as the wrong sex, classifying her as a transgender.. Her mom said, “I don’t feel like we ever truly had a son, we had a daughter that was unfortunately born in the wrong body.” She said that as a little kid, Jackie loved things like Barbie dolls and sparkly dresses, and rejected “traditionally male” toys.

Check out the video below to hear more about Jackie’s story:

WDYT, gURLs? Is Jackie way too young to make this huge decision that will change her whole life?  Are you happy her  parents are so encouraging of her being transgender? Discuss below!