Photo: Dannielle Owens-Reid and Kristin Russo (Grace Brown)
To some people, raising awareness to a certain issue or cause is serious business, but for the girls who started EveryoneIsGay.com making people laugh is one of their top priorities.
Dannielle Owens-Reid, 25, creator of Lesbians Who Look Like Justin Bieber, and Kristin Russo, 30, a grad student in gender studies with a lot of knowledge on the topic, started Everyone Is Gay in early 2010. The website is an advice site for everyone with an emphasis on LGBTQ youth. "We kind of started it for funnies but then there was such an intense need for what we were doing that things started to get real and we started to take ourselves seriously," Dannielle said. Now, a little over a year later the website has sparked a ton of followers and today is the official kick off date for their school tour. I had a chance to sit down and talk with the girls before they headed out on the road:
Act: How did this tour come about and what inspired you to have a tour?
K: Talking to people anonymously on the internet is an absolutely invaluable resource, and something that we will always continue to do, but there is also an incredible value in connecting with people face-to-face. Also, the platform of a tour is allowing us to do more than give advice, we are hoping to encourage students to take action and make change in their communities.
Act: What schools are you touring to?
K: We are going to Drew University, Boston College, Harvard University, University of Toledo, Stetson University, and UVA to name a few. Our goal is to either get funding that will allow us to hit more high schools, or to structure future tours so that for every two colleges, we also hit a high school! Additionally, we have encouraged all of the colleges we are visiting to reach out to local high schools, and have made almost all of our events open to the public.
Act: How did this tour become possible? Did anyone help fund your tour?
D: OMG YES. As far as funding, We asked our readers for help. We needed to raise $6,000 in order to rent a van, pay a camera man and purchase everyday touring items and we totally did!! We actually raised over that amount!!
K: Not only do we have the incredible support of our readers, but we have also had several human beings who have worked diligently to help us prepare for tour.
Act: What exactly will you be doing at these schools and why do you think it's important?
D: We'll be talking about ways to change the world. How to make the everyday better. We want to encourage people to try and make a difference even though they might think they can’t. It's really pretty simple but also super important, for example if you just smile to the strangers on the subway instead of scowling at the floor, you've automatically made the day better for someone, guaranteed.
Act: What are the road tunes for on the road?
D: Demi Lovato & Taylor Swift whenever I'm driving.
K: Luckily I am fine listening to both of those ladies, and I will probably throw in a little Motion City Soundtrack for good measure. You know?
Act: What do you hope to accomplish from this tour?
D: I hope people will walk away with the realization that making change is easy. I feel like a ton of people think that because they don't have time to volunteer or money to donate, they can't help and THAT ISN'T EVEN TRUE.
Act: What action would you suggest for our readers to take for you guys?
Dannielle & Kristin Say: Be kind to other people, even people you don't like or don't know; Don't be a b*%* on the internet, cyberbullying is the worst; Volunteer at organizations that inspire you, so many of them need your help!! Stay informed and use that knowledge to vote!!!
Majority of the shows the girls will be speaking at are open to the public. To find out where they are touring a school near to you, take action below.
actTAKE ACTION!
Everyone Is Gay At Your School
Find a school near you where the girls will be speaking at.
