Photos: (Getty)
2012 has been an epic year of celebs rallying for their favorite causes. From Frank Ocean coming out to, to Miley Cyrus voting for the first time, to the "Jersey Shore" cast's dedication to Hurricane Sandy relief, here are a few celebs' positive messages we're particularly thankful for this Thanksgiving.
+ Frank Ocean Comes Out in Hip-Hop
Photo: (Frank Ocean)
The hip-hop community isn't typically the most welcoming to gay men, so Frank Ocean's decision to post an open letter on his Tumblr about the first time he fell in love with a man was both bold and beautiful. This Thanksgiving, we are grateful for Frank's honesty and bravery. Coming out isn't easy, but Frank is proof that people can be accepted for who they are -- and who they love -- no matter what community they come from.
+ First Time Voters Head To The Polls
Photo: (Getty)
Miley Cyrus, Nick Jonas, Taylor Lautner, Selena Gomez and "Teen Mom" Maci Bookout were among the many young celebs who were able to vote for the first time this year. We're thankful for every young celeb who voted, and set an example for the rest of us watching.
+ Curvy Women Promote Healthy Body Image
Photo: (littlemonsters.com)
This year, divas galore have taken a stand against negative body image -- Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Adele, Lady Gaga and Demi Lovato, to name a few. These ladies want us to learn to love our bodies no matter what shapes and sizes they may come in. After she received major backlash for minor weight gain, for example, Lady Gaga launched Body Revolution 2013 -- a judgement-free website where all of her Little Monsters can share their body photos and stories.
Demi Lovato, whose "Skyscraper" vid won Best Video With A Message at this year's VMAs has also used her voice (her singing voice and her speaking one) to empower her fans. We're thankful for all of the women in entertainment who have taken a stand against the media's unhealthy take on body image, and even more thankful for those who have shared their stories of hardship and self-discovery.
+ Stars Give Voice to Victims of Human Trafficking
Pink, Alicia Keys and Jada Pinkett-Smith have lent their voices to mtvU's Against Our Will Campaign by narrating the moving stories of human trafficking survivors. According to the campaign, between 12 and 27 million people in the world are estimated to be enslaved, including many right here in America! We're thankful for Jada, Pink and Alicia's contributions, and for the survivors who so bravely shared their stories with us!
+ The "Jersey Shore" Cast Comes Together for Sandy Relief
Photo: (Getty)
The "Jersey Shore" cast rallied hard for MTV's "Restore The Shore" live benefit special for Hurricane Sandy relief. From Tweeting to volunteering in affected communities to hosting the actual event, we are thankful for their passion for rebuilding their town. And because it wouldn't be the "Jersey Shore" if there wasn't a catch phrase (GTL, anyone?!), we are thankful for the powerful "We can. We Will. Rebuild." slogan for restoring the shore, and the cast's strong commitment to holding it true.
What were some of your favorite celeb messages of 2012? Let us know in the comments, or on Twitter and Facebook.
