Red Sox Release “It Gets Better” Video, Inspired by 12-Year-Old Sam Maden and more than 9,000 Fans

“Bullying is something that has touched many of our lives either personally or through someone we love,” said Susan Goodenow, Red Sox Senior Vice President of Public Affairs/Marketing, in a team statement. “We are proud of dedicated Red Sox fans like 12-year-old Sam Maden who took the courageous step recently to publicly stand up against bullying of LGBT youth, and we are honored to join Sam and others throughout Red Sox Nation in support of the It Gets Better Project.”

After the San Francisco Giants responded to a fan’s petition on Change.org by announcing they would become the first pro sports team to create an “It Gets Better” anti-bullying video, Sam Maden decided to honor his uncle by starting a Change.org petition asking the Red Sox to make an “It Gets Better” video as well. More than 9,000 people -- mostly Red Sox fans -- signed on in support.

In total, more than 70 sports fans from around the country have launched petitions on Change.org urging their favorite sports teams to produce an “It Gets Better” video. In June, the San Francisco Giants released an “It Gets Better” video after lifelong fan Sean Chapin started a petition on Change.org supported by more than 6,000 fans. The Cubs followed with a video of their own, after fan Joe Hinton launched a petition signed by 1,700 fans. The Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins have also announced that they will produce “It Gets Better” videos.

Maden’s petition on Change.org was inspired by his Uncle Chris, who died unexpectedly in January at the age of 43. When Sam’s teacher asked him to come up with a project that could “make a difference” in the world, Sam had an idea to merge his love for the Red Sox with a cause his uncle believed in passionately: ending the bullying of gay kids and kids perceived to be gay.

Sam, who is in seventh grade, currently plays on three baseball teams,and was invited by the Red Sox to shout “Play Ball!” before a sold-out crowd at Fenway Park, is thrilled with the video.

“When I found out about my uncle’s passing, I didn’t know what to do,” Sam Maden said. “This is something I wanted to do to honor him. Uncle Chris knew how much I love the Red Sox and I think he would have been thrilled with the team making an ‘It Gets Better’ video to support kids.”

Sam’s mother, Tara Maden, said that the loss of Uncle Chris had a profound impact on the family -- and especially Sam. Before his uncle died, he gave Sam a necklace from The Trevor Project, a national organization that works to curb violence and suicide among LGBT young adults. Sam wears it every day, in memory of his uncle.

Sam’s petition spotlights the momentum building in professional sports to confront homophobia and create a welcoming environment for LGBT athletes, following controversial incidents involving baseball coach Roger McDowell and basketball star Kobe Bryant. Currently, there are no openly gay athletes playing in any of the four major pro sports, as ABC News recently highlighted in a story about 2011 possibly being a watershed year for LGBT athletes.

More than 20,000 “It Gets Better” videos -- including contributions from President Obama, Secretary Hillary Clinton, and corporations like Apple, Google, and Microsoft -- have been produced since syndicated columnist Dan Savage and his partner Terry Miller launched the project in September 2010 in response to an epidemic of teen suicides by gay kids and kids perceived to be gay.

For more information on the It Gets Better Project:
http://www.itgetsbetter.org

View Sam Maden’s Change.org petition:
http://www.change.org/petitions/boston-red-sox-please-make-an-it-gets-better-video

Watch the Boston Red Sox’ “It Gets Better” video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOkWfueTNjk

Watch the San Francisco Giants’ “It Gets Better” video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1TcD95kmGQ

Watch the Chicago Cubs’ “It Gets Better” video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcpkRL_5IYk