Hi, I'm Boy Abunda and our message goes out to the LGBT community

or anyone who is being bullied or experiencing discrimination.

When I was still in school, you know Ambassador,

I was part of an organization, I would receive a note every week

from someone I didn't know. I have no idea who he was.

that contained nasty comments about me being gay.

Ambassador, my question is,

have you also have you also gone through discrimination? Have you been bullied in your life?

When I was still in school, I was bullied both verbally and physically.

Every day I took two trains and a bus to school.

During those rides I was abused so much that I had to alter my route

just to avoid the harassment

No one should have to alter their lifestyle

no one.

While those memories vividly remain, I can attest that it does get better.

I confess that I too

have said things or done things that affected others in a negative way-

everyone does.

So while we stand up for those being bullied

we must also look inside ourselves to stop those actions that make others

feel threatened.

Together, we want you to know that you are not alone.

Hindi kayo nag-iisa. (You are not alone.)

Our personal differences should not be cause

for shame or disappointment.

Instead they are a source of strength and pride.

That's right, whenever you feel like the world is against you,

just know that you are not alone.

There are people who love and support you. You have friends,

family, co-workers, and partners who stand with you in the fight against

discrimination.

You have unique abilities that make you,

you.

In fact, you have a unique opportunity to stand up for LGBT rights.

And LGBT rights are human rights.

Now's the time to take a stand against all forms of discrimination.

The United States of America was founded on the belief that we were all created equal-

a belief that I know Americans and Filipinos share.

Embrace your individuality and stand up for equality everywhere.

You

are not alone.

Tama ka dyan, Boy. (You are right, Boy.)

Hindi kayo nag-iisa. (You are not alone.)

So let's continue to stand up against discrimination and life will get better.

Mas bubuti pa. (It gets better.)

It gets better.

It seems like in high school, everyone is trying to be someone that they aren't

just so that they can fit in

but if you know who you are you can weather the storms of life

because you know.

It gets better.

Bullying the community gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender

is a huge issue around the world.

This has been a taboo

for the longest time.

I just want to say

as the world is getting closer

and connected among each other

understanding oneself speak is becoming easier.

Be true to yourself.

Don't ever feel that you are different.

You are special just like everybody else.

Fight for your freedom and happiness. Don't worry,

it gets better.

In middle school, there was a huge bully who terrorized

the playground, on the hallways, the classrooms

and over the course of middle school, I saw so many kids getting hurt, myself

included,

by this terrible, terrible energy that these people were bringing into the space.

But as middle school went on, we kept our heads up, we stuck through it.

I can tell you that it does get better.

I just want to let you know that

despite the mean and hurtful things people might say to you

your differences are what make you beautiful

and I have full faith and hope that

in a few years everyone will come to

understand and accept that

it doesn't matter who you choose to love

we are all human and we shall support each other

If you're ever feeling alone

know that there are people out there that care about you.

So please reach out, get help

because it gets better.

Having been bullied most of my high school experience

actually trying to avoid my senior year

at all costs, I can tell you

that in the future

once the bullies are just a memory, you'll find a bar, you'll find a group of friends

you will find that perfect pair of jeans, you will find somebody

who crazy about you and eventually it does get better.

What I remember most about high school is being relieve when

it was over.

It was tough and lonely back then.

Now, I'm a mom with three teenage children

and they tell me how brutal high school can be.

I promise you, it gets better. When I was younger we moved around quite a bit

when i needed the most it was hard to find people who are loving and supportive.

It takes time, but it gets better.

Someone once said that when people hurt you over and over,

treat them like a sandpaper

they may hurt and scratch you but in the end you end up polished and they end up useless.

So just hang on. It gets better.

You know, in high school, I knew a lot of people that were bullied.

And even myself, I heard comments whispered behind my back,

things that I was different,

hurtful comments.

And I think the one thing that I took from that is you need to take that

negative energy and turn into something positive.

Focus on your schoolwork. Focus on activities that you like and more

importantly focus on the relationships that

mean something to you, obviously the negative people don't.

It does get better across so take that energy and turn it into something that

you can use later on in life.

It gets better.

I've recently made a very controversial decision

And I can tell you, I am much happier for it.

My principles in life are: number 1,

focus on what you do you know, not what you don't know;

number two: surround yourself with positive people;

and number three: stay true to your life path.

It gets better.

When I was in 8th grade,

I was teased.

I was teased bad, because

I looked different,

because I was very, very small, very slim.

I have people who I thought

were my friends but they weren't.

Then I realized when I got older, those people were just making fun of himself because they

didn't like themselves and I realized that I did like myself

because I continued on, I stayed strong,

I had real friends.

Things will get better.

Do not let

the skepticism of others affect you.

focus on yourself and on the people who care about you

enjoy your choices and aim to be the best person that you can be.

Everyday, it gets better.

Sometimes, girls can be mean to each other but,

it gets better.