A national conversation of tolerance has made its way to Tampa.

The "It Gets Better" tour takes the stage at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts Friday evening.

  • Ensemble shares real-life stories
  • Tour aims to show young people there is support
  • Performance scheduled for Friday night

The tour is meant to foster support among the Bay area's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

The ensemble shares real-life stories to spread its powerful message.

"We're here to say we're here," said Florida native and actor Nick Ley. "How can we help make this world a better place, a more inclusive place."

The "It Gets Better" project started several years ago when a gay Indiana high schooler committed suicide after being harassed by his peers. The touring production is aimed to show young people there is support out there.

"And if only one life can be touched and one person can be saved from the disaster of rejection of his family or potential suicide, then we’ve accomplished our mission,” said Bill Konuff of Una Voce: Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay.

This is the first time the "It Gets Better" tour has come to the South.

Students from the Patel Conservatory and the Una Voce: Gay Men's Chorus of Tampa Bay are part of Friday night's performance.

"If only one life can be touched and one person can be saved from the disaster of rejection of his family or potential suicide, then we’ve accomplished our mission." - Bill Konuff

But the "It Gets Better" project is more than a stage production. For the last week, the actors have gone into the community to spark conversations about the challenges of being gay.

The cast traveled to schools. They held a community forum. Together, they brainstormed.

"Visibility is one thing they kept mentioning but that's a double edge sword because once you become overly visible, it seems to attract negative attention," said Alice Santana, Community Program Manager for the Straz.

The actors will take the ideas from those brain-storming sessions and use it as part of their nationwide tour.

"We can now take what we learned in Tampa and share in other places," said actor Jason Currie.

The "It Gets Better" performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. inside Ferguson Hall at the Straz Center of the Performing Arts.