Rise Against gay bullying

American punk rockers Rise Against have teamed up with the It Gets Better Project to make an anti-gay bullying themed video clip for their new single Make It Stop (September’s Children).

The band, who are scheduled to tour Australia in July, believe the important issue has not been adequately addressed by the rock scene.

“A number of events were the catalyst for the creation of Make It Stop, everything from the suicides in September 2010, to our own fans voicing their fears and insecurities from time to time,” lead singer Tim McIlrath said.

“I decided to create the song as a response, and when I discovered the It Gets Better campaign… I was moved.

“I immediately felt that if our song is the road, then the It Gets Better campaign is the destination. I hope the synergy between the two can reach people and make a difference.”

Directed by Marc Klasfeld, the Make It Stop video shows the band performing in a high school gymnasium interspersed with scenes of LGBTI teenagers experiencing and coping with bullying.

It also included snippets from YouTube submissions provided by the It Gets Better Project of people sharing their own experiences with bullying.

Watch Make It Stop (September’s Children) below, plus a couple of significant It Gets Better clips.