From Deutsch NY comes “The Homecoming Project,” a new campaign for non-profit Live Out Loud that encourages LGBT professionals to mentor and empower LGBT youth.

Using the tagline “Gay It Forward,” which is a pun on the phrase “pay it forward”–which in turn became the title of an overwrought 2000 movie in which then-young star Haley Joel Osment attempts to trick people into doing good deeds before he (thankfully) gets stabbed to death–the campaign depicts gay and lesbian professionals returning to their high schools to describe their struggles growing up in a not-so-friendly world. Apparently, the rampant homophobia these individuals had to overcome has not only influenced them to become strong, confident, and charitable adults, it’s also given them quite a penchant for drawing colorful pictures on chalkboards.

Similar to the incredibly popular “It Gets Better” campaign started by sex columnist Dan Savage, “The Homecoming Project” also seems to be of the mindset that good role models are an incredibly important tool in helping young people struggling to come to terms with their homosexuality. The campaign will also feature a print and outdoor component coming to a New York City kiosk near you. For more on this initiative, visit Live Out Loud’s website here.

-Uber Content signed director Fred Savage (yes, director) to its roster. Someone cue the Daniel Stern VO. link

-The Bees have picked 2011′s best in social media marketing. link

-Bernstein-Rein hired Barkley/GSD&M alum Brian Brooker as CCO. link

-The U.K. will finally get a taste of “Little Darth.” link

-It does get better, says Dan Savage and Google Chrome (above). link

Like Draftfcb before it, the LGBT community at Digitas New York has produced its own “It Gets Better” video, carrying on the simple message created by columnist Dan Savage for gay teens that despite hardships such as bullying, discrimination and family rejection, it does get better.

Instead of one-on-one interviews portrayed in the Draftfcb clip, this installment features a roundtable discussion amongst Digitas staffers that begins with the important question, “What would we tell our 14-year-old selves right now?” What follows are inspirational words that we imagine could be echoed by many other agencies in the near future.

When sex advice columnist and former victim of anti-gay bullying Dan Savage started his  “It Gets Better” campaign to give optimism and hope to young homosexuals, he probably didn’t realize it would take off like it did. After numerous videos from celebrities and companies, “It Gets Better” is now making its way into the world of advertising, with DraftFCB employees sharing their own stories of high school persecution due to their sexual orientation.

Sure, it might be more significant for some to see Janet Jackson make an “It Gets Better” video, but what of those teenagers looking to one day in jump into the world of advertising and looking for gay heroes who have become success stories in their chosen field? That’s why this video is important, and that’s why having an agency rally around the cause can actually help emotionally distraught teens.

As one video participant says, “It gets better because you get to fall in love.” Sounds pretty good, no?