Something that has followed me since the end of Elementary school all the way til the first day of Senior year, and most likley for the rest of my life, bullying, is noticably getting worse as the months go by. And no, I’m not just talking about gay people, I’m talking about any kind of bullying towards race, gender, size, & religion. I’ve never been so upset and disappointed with the society I live in today when I have to read from one of my best friends “I’m taking online classes my senior year, people have already started tweeting about me”, or have to sit through dozens of messages/tweets of people explaining their concern on how they wish I was never conceived becuase I am quote “a gay faggot that should burn in hell”. Through Highschool, a day never went by where I could roam the halls without someone staring and laughing, or whispering something to their friend about me then hearing about it later. A day never has gone by where I am secure and safe walking into a room full of people. Don’t let my confidence fool you, I am scared shitless every single day to enter my school with the fear of being made fun of, or being brought down just simply because I am simply gay. I flaunt it, and I have learned that I’m going to get bullied no matter what I do just because that’s simply how society works. I’d rather be who I am, work it, leave a piece of me behind that no one will forget, and let them know how okay I am with who I am. I’ve learned that you can’t please everyone today, no matter how hard you try, no matter what you wear, no matter how well in school you do, no matter how much money you make, or how much you do at home to maybe support a struggling family, no matter how confident you are with yourself; People will never change unless they are forced to. I myself have been through the toughest of times. I’ve dealt with severe clinical depresson since freshmen year, and friends who have come into my life and left with the snap of a finger. I’ve been through the worthless feeling stages, and wanting to not be alive. I know how it feels to feel so walled in and insecure. But i’ve grown by myself with the help of judgemental pricks, and terrible friends. I’ve matured quickly to see what is real in this world being so young, and what isn’t. I’ve come to realize that when it’s all over, I’ll be the one standing on top being comfortable with who I am, living the life I want to with the husband of my dreams, and kids of my own. And I will look back and only thank the enemies, and the people who made my childhood and teenage years a hellish struggle. I want you, yes you, to know that I know what you’re going through, and I made it… I made it through with bruises, scarres, and bled & cried for days on end, but I made it, and I found my real friends who stick up for me, and want to make a change more than I do. I want you to realize how amazing & beautiful you are, and how far you’ll go if you just stay true to you. I want you to take a breath, and open your eyes to the world, not this society of Twitter, Facebook & whatever else you use that allows hate in your life, and see the beauty in the things that matter like art, music, or nature. I want you to know that you’re not alone. There are so many other people struggling like you and I, and I am always a message, text, call or anything you want away. I want you to walk down the street, or the hallway, or the stairs of the mall with compassion, and confidence in who you are without letting anyone tell you that you are not amazing. I want YOU to know that no matter what sexual orientation, pant size, race, gender, religion, ethnicity, age, I will love you for you and what you have to bring to this world to make a positive and brilliant change. I want YOU to believe me when I say this…. You are worth it. You are worth more than you will ever know it. You can make a change, and you will. So stay strong, let the judgement/hate roll over you like a wave of wind, and smile for those people, because I promise that they will never be as great & strong as you and you will inspire people, and lead them in a movement against the bullying and hate in today’s society. Show the world what you have to offer no matter who you are. Have faith in yourself and people around you. Don’t be the one to judge, and accept people for who they are on the inside because the greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance. With love, Zach.