Glee

Adam Gerhardstein is the Campaign Manager of the Standing on the Side of Love Campaign.

If you haven’t watched the season finale of Glee on hulu yet, stop reading right now. Last night was a huge night for the Glee Club and for those of us who regularly find ourselves singing their mashups. Finn found out that Puck was the real father of Quinn’s baby. Mr. Schu left his wife. Emma and Ken broke up on their wedding day and then Mr. Schu and Emma kissed. Sue Sylvester got suspended (Is it bad that I totally love her?). And the Glee Club won sectionals!!

Why do I write about Glee on the Standing on the Side of Love blog? Because that is what the Glee Club is all about. Glee Club is the place where the young people of William McKinley High who are somehow deemed “ok to hate” find welcome, support, and an opportunity to shine.

Glee Club is where Kurt came out and everyone supported him, where everyone went to school in wheelchairs to find out what life was like for Artie, and where the kids came together and proudly posed for a yearbook picture even though they knew the Glee picture in the library yearbooks always gets defaced. It is where they take the stage, sing their hearts out, blow the crowd away, and get slushees thrown in their faces the very next day. Glee Club is where the gays, lesbians, people of color, disabled, and nerds find acceptance and friendship, and are truly valued for who they are.

I am going to admit it right now. The William McKinley High School Glee Club, “New Directions”, has given me a lot of inspiration. I know it is cheesy, but I believe that Glee stands on the side of love. Don’t judge.