Released by 16 year-old singer-songwriter Ale, the song is dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth in religious schools…
With a purple hue illuminating the room and a guitar in hand, 16 year-old Ohio resident Ale (she/they) plays a demo of their new song Hail Mary. The It Gets Better Youth Voices participant, wrote the song for LGBTQ+ youth ostracized in private Christian schools.
The song features powerful lyrics, documenting the experience one faces in this type of school environment. From taunts like ‘unnatural,’ ‘scary’ or ‘Satan-bearing” to being told they are ‘experimenting,’ the lyrics remind those faced with these words to take a deep breath in the situation.
The song also challenges these bullying individuals by asking if they’ve recently checked the bible. The lyrics remind listeners of passages that relate to loving your neighbour and loving your enemy. “So if my existence goes against what you stand for, go pick a new religion ’cause hate’s not what He supports,” the verse ends with.
The song also calls out current issues like a lack of hotlines for LGBTQ+ youth. This lyric is seemingly a reference to Trump’s cancellation of Press 3 from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
In the Instagram caption for the song, Ale sends three important messages to youth in similar situations. The first is that they’re not the only ones going through this. The second is that other students are out there rooting for them. Lastly, they inform youth of a community waiting to accept them the way they are.
Who is Ale?
Ale is a storytelling ambassador for the Youth Voices program. They are a QTBIPOC singer-songwriter and activist. Ale uses “her voice to resonate the stories of those left unheard,” according to her bio. They like to play gigs at local restaurants and write either songs or prose.
As an octafinalist in speech and debate, Ale understands the impact of words and how to wield them for those who can’t. Their goal is to comfort, support and light the way forward for her people and those in search of their own voice.
What is the Youth Voices program by It Gets Better?
It Gets Better is the world’s largest storytelling organization for LGBTQ+ youth. Its mission is to uplift, empower and connect queer youth globally. The organization wants to ensure they have the skills needed to embrace their potential and navigate the world confidently.
The Youth Voices program consists of a cohort of high school students ages 14 to 18. Participants are encouraged by the organization to share their stories, to advocate for themselves and to empower their peers.
Since launching in 2020, the program has welcomed 30 emerging youth leaders. They have varying interests and identify as artists, scientists, filmmakers and activists.
The Fall/Winter 2025 cohort, which Ale is part of, consists of eight voices. According to its website this session saw a record-breaking number of applications from Latine youth. The other participants include 16 year-old Andrew (he/him) from California; 16 year-old Angelo (he/they) from Kentucky; 16 year-old Bekah (he/him) from California; 15 year-old Jay (he/him) from California; 16 year-old Marshall (he/him) from Texas; 16 year-old Nashan (she/her) from Puerto Rico; and 16 year-old Renc from Texas.
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