The death of 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer, who took his own life on September 18, 2011 after years of being bullied rocked the world, being the fifth publicly recognized suicide of an LGBTQ-identifying teen in the US in less than a year -- and now, the 'Paws Up Forever Project' wants you to take a stand. Inspired by Lady Gaga's "paws up" hand signal exchanged between the popstar and her fans, the project aims to raise awareness on the dangers of bullying, and the consequences of suicide and its effect on those around you.
Created by Vancouver university student Sara Nazeman with friends Jason Bring and Ines Mitchell, the 'Paws Up Forever Project' video has already garnered the attention of Perez Hilton, who then asked that Gaga herself watch the video. Lady Gaga, who has been extremely vocal in her support of gay rights, announced after hearing about Jamey's death that she would be speaking with US President Obama in regards to creating an anti-bullying law.
Regardless of whether such a law passes or not, it's extremely encouraging to see that young people are taking matters into their own hands. The 'Paws Up Forever Project' has already started spreading to schools and communities throughout North America, sharing a message of love and support to anyone who has ever experienced bullying.
Fearless Celeb-Inspired Campaigns
The 'Paws Up Forever Project' Video Fights Back Against Bullying
Trend Themes
1. Youth-led Anti-bullying Initiatives - The 'Paws Up Forever Project' demonstrates the power of young people taking action against bullying, creating opportunities for innovative solutions in the fight against bullying in schools and communities.
2. Celebrity-inspired Social Awareness Campaigns - The use of Lady Gaga's influence in the 'Paws Up Forever Project' shows the potential for celebrities to inspire and motivate social change, providing an opening for disruptive innovation in the realm of celebrity-driven campaigns.
3. Online Activism to Combat Suicide and Bullying - The viral nature of the 'Paws Up Forever Project' video highlights the potential of online platforms for promoting awareness and support for suicide prevention, opening up possibilities for innovative digital tools and strategies in the fight against suicide and bullying.
Industry Implications
1. Education - The spread of the 'Paws Up Forever Project' to schools presents opportunities for innovative anti-bullying programs, resources, and awareness campaigns within the education industry.
2. Entertainment - The success of celebrity-inspired campaigns like the 'Paws Up Forever Project' can lead to new opportunities for entertainment companies to leverage the influence of celebrities for social good, creating disruptive innovation within the industry.
3. Social Media - The viral nature of social media platforms in spreading awareness for initiatives like the 'Paws Up Forever Project' creates room for innovative solutions that utilize social media analytics, community engagement, and targeted messaging to address issues of bullying and suicide.