KINGSTON, R.I. –April 5, 2012 –- Television viewers who want to watch a compelling and inspirational film should click on Rhode Island PBS (Cox Cable Channel 8) April 14 at 7 p.m.

The 56-minute film, “It Gets Better at URI: Coming Out for Change,” was created by University of Rhode Island students and reflects a University-wide commitment to support students struggling with their sexual identity.

Inspired by the It Gets Better national video campaign, a movement started in response to some highly publicized suicides that resulted from harassment and bullying of gay students.

In URI’s version, students, faculty, staff, and administrators came together to give personal accounts of what it means to be an ally or a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning (LGBTQQ) community.

The film, produced by the URI LBTQ Women’s Group, shares moving stories of struggle and perseverance, discrimination and compassion. It also illustrates how URI is working to end discrimination and intolerance against the LGBTQQ community. The film premiered to an audience of more than 900 people last fall at URI.

Since the premiere, the film has been shown at the Promising Practices Conference for future educators at Rhode Island College. It also was shown in conjunction with the “The Journey Out” production at the URI Feinstein Campus in Providence.

At the end of film, there is a segment of student, faculty and staff reactions to the film and how it affected them personally. For questions about the film please contact Holly Nichols at hjnichols@uri.edu.