NEW YORK (October 14, 2010) – In the midst of a national wave of anti-gay bullying and violence, a powerful short video premiering today reveals how one person can change a school – and the lives of hundreds of gay and straight youth – in just one day.

Academy Award-winning screenwriter Lance Black (“Milk”) is one of the many LGBT leaders participating in The Homecoming Project, Live Out Loud’s grassroots initiative that brings successful gay adults back to their high schools to share their stories, lessons, and hope with today’s students.

Black’s extraordinary visit to North Salinas High School in California’s conservative Central Valley is captured in a new short video premiering online today at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoOWY8_hWYQand http://www.liveoutloud.info/wp/programs/lance-blacks-homecoming-project/.

Speaking in a gym packed with more than 1000 students, Black speaks openly of his conservative upbringing, the despair of being closeted, and his hope for happiness beyond high school.

His moving speech prompts cheering ovations, tears throughout the audience, and one student revealing that he had come out to his parents.

“We can’t hate people that don’t love us. We have to love them back until they love us back,” the student tells the assembly.

Even more important, Black’s visit results in the school starting its first Gay-Straight Alliance.

“This day changed North High,” said Cheryl Darling, Principal’s Secretary.

“When I first heard about this Homecoming Project, I had no idea it would be so revelatory,” said Black. “I had no idea I would see such great change.”

Since its inception, The Homecoming Project has brought a diverse mix of gay adults, including former GLAAD president Neil Giuliano, author Eric Marcus, and media strategist Cathy Renna, back to their high schools.

Live Out Loud’s executive director Leo Preziosi, Jr. said The Homecoming Project provides gay adults and schools with a powerful tool to create positive change in the lives of both gay and straight youth.

“These recent tragedies are a wake-up call for the LGBT community that we each must make the time to play an active role in the lives of today’s youth,” said Preziosi. “We must share our stories, offer support and encouragement and remind them of their extraordinary potential. “

To learn more about how Live Out Loud can help you to return to your high school visit http://www.liveoutloud.info/wp/programs/the-homecoming-project/,

The Homecoming Project builds on the mission of LIVE OUT LOUD, a ten-year old, non-profit organization that connects LGBT youth with role models and leaders in the LGBT community. Last year, Live Out Loud hosted more than 80 panels, workshops, and lectures in schools, colleges, and youth centers throughout the New York tri-state area. For more information, visitwww.liveoutloud.info.

Dustin Lance Black returned to his high school in North Salinas, California and participated in Live Out Loud’s Homecoming Project.

The Homecoming Project is a grassroots initiative, encouraging successful LGBT role models to revisit their high schools to connect with LGBT youth and talk with students about the experiences that have led them to their open, affirmed and successful lives.

Dustin Lance Black is an American screenwriter, director, film and television producer, and LGBT rights activist. Best known for his Academy Award for the 2008 film Milk, He has also won two Writers Guild of America Awards for his work on the television series Big Love.
Black has said “I wanted to maybe inspire the younger generation to start becoming activists in a grassroots way. There’s a lot of stuff that still needs changing — not just gay rights.” Black was the top entry on a list of openly gay influential people in The Advocate’s 2009 “Forty under 40″ and was featured on the cover of the magazine.

The Homecoming Project, is a major new program that brings lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) leaders back to their high schools to share their personal stories and life lessons with today’s students.

The program is already making a major impact. Leaders like Oscar winner Lance Black (“Milk”) and former GLAAD president Neil Giuliano have returned to their high schools, making a lasting impression on thousands of students.

You can see how your support is helping to inspire the next generation of LGBT leaders by viewing the above film documenting Lance Black’s Homecoming Project visit.

The Homecoming Project is a grassroots initiative, encouraging successful LGBT role models to revisit their high schools to connect with LGBT youth and talk with students about the experiences that have led them to their open, affirmed and successful lives.

Learn More About the Homecoming Project

Lance Black is an American screenwriter, director, film and television producer, and LGBT rights activist. He has won two Writers Guild of America Awards for his work on the television series Big Love and an Academy Award for the 2008 film Milk.

What Lance Black says about going back to his high school

When I first heard about doing this Homecoming Project I had no idea it would be so revelatory. I had no idea I would see such great change. It’s been such an inspiration to me. To see what’s happened here thanks to the Live Out Loud Homecoming Project, for me is inspiring. It makes me want to keep working, doing. And I know now that we are doing good.

- Lance Black

The Homecoming Project is a grassroots initiative, encouraging successful LGBT role models to revisit their high schools to connect with LGBT youth and talk with students about the experiences that have led them to their open, affirmed and successful lives.

Neil G. Giuliano is an American gay rights activist. He was the former four-term Republican mayor (1994-2004) of Tempe, Arizona. He chaired the commission in charge of hosting the third debate of the 2004 United States presidential elections. He has served as President of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) since September 1, 2005.

One year ago, Live Out Loud launched The Homecoming Project, a major new program that brings lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) leaders back to their high schools to share their personal stories and life lessons with today’s students.

The program is already making a major impact. Leaders like Oscar winner Lance Black (“Milk”) and former GLAAD president Neil Giuliano have returned to their high schools, making a lasting impression on thousands of students and inspiring schools

You can see how your support is helping to inspire the next generation of LGBT leaders by viewing the above 5-minute film documenting Neil Giuliano’s Homecoming Project visit.

Following Neil’s visit, the high school guidance counselor Cindy Sherman said:

“This whole event began as a whisper of possibility and evolved into a very loud (and proud) shout-out and wake-up call to our high school community.”

Your continued support can help Live Out Loud bring more LGBT role models back to their high schools. Through this project, we will be able to reach thousands of more gay youth on a national level and continue our mission in connecting them to leaders in the LGBT community.

The Homecoming Project is a grassroots initiative, encouraging successful LGBT role models to revisit their high schools to connect with LGBT youth and talk with students about the experiences that have led them to their open, affirmed and successful lives.

Learn More About the Homecoming Project

Neil G. Giuliano is an American gay rights activist. He was the former four-term Republican mayor (1994-2004) of Tempe, Arizona. He chaired the commission in charge of hosting the third debate of the 2004 United States presidential elections. He served as President of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) from 2005 until 2009.

What Neil G. Giuliano says about going back to his high school

Participating in The Homecoming Project was a wonderful experience. I had not stepped foot in the high school since 1974, having moved to Arizona a few days after graduation. Needless to say, I was a very different person as I left high school 35 years ago, and going back would be quite an adventure. I felt it important to accept this opportunity, even if a bit uncomfortable, so that the current students and staff at the school would hear the story of one who was very active and social while a student, but yet was not fully authentic and was in fact terrified that others would know I was gay.

I never had any sort of gay role model while in high school, and it is important for LGBT youth to know they can become whatever they choose in life, that their sexual orientation or gender identity will not be a barrier to their success.

The experience allowed me to see how much our culture has changed: an openly gay alumnus would have never even been invited back to the school when I attended in the 1970′s, and certainly not to address an assembly with hundreds of students. And yet, it helped underscore how far we still need to go with regard to full equality and acceptable for gay people too. It was an overall wonderful, motivating and uplifting experience and it could not have gone better.

Hopefully, by hearing my story firsthand, the young people assembled will move further along on their own journey of acceptance and understanding, whether as an ally or a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender community.

- Neil Giuliano

Live Out Loud is primarily seeking LGBT community members who went to high school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut.

Please complete the form below and Live Out Loud will work closely with you on coordinating with your school and developing a presentation.

	Return to your High School
Please complete this form and we will contact you about returning to your high school. Fields marked with a * are required. [contact-form]