Raise Up

After the success of our first few events mentioned above, Raise Up is continuing to grow by holding more events, working with other groups, and spreading the message of equality through various media outlets. Many far-reaching organizations have shown great interest in Raise Up and have expressed their excitement for what the group has already accomplished. Indiana Equality featured Raise Up and its mission in their newsletter which reaches nearly 14,000 people. Even national groups, such as the GSA network have been involved with Raise Up and their fight to start GSAs in high schools. But Raise Up has also had a very close impact in the small town of Jasper, Indiana. Students who have felt bullied because of their sexuality and gender issues have found a supportive group of peers through Raise Up in a community that lacks such a group elsewhere. Even though there is opposition to Raise Up and its efforts, such as starting a Gay-Straight Alliance, much public support has also been expressed privately in emails and messages, and publicly, in letters to the newspaper. Individuals who may have felt they lived in a community with no support, see now that there is a strong base of people fighting for who they are and their happiness. Raise Up will never stop fighting for the those close to home, but will also make it a goal to always widen their base of support in order to spread equality as far as possible.