It Gets Better (VIDEO)

Throughout my life, I have understood what it means to feel different. As someone with dyslexia, I still have nightmares about spelling bees from childhood. Not everyone grows up the same way. But if you work hard and persevere, it does get better.

It takes courage to be who you are and recognize that no matter why someone is teasing or bullying you, it gets better. Whether you're gay, lesbian, look differently from other kids, or whether your family is different, it gets better.

I have always supported the full rights of all Vermonters, regardless of sexual orientation, religion or gender. People are changing; the way we learn is changing. Use perservance and work through these dark times, because regardless of your differences, you can do great things.

 

Follow Gov. Peter Shumlin on Twitter: www.twitter.com/VTGovernor

Comments

[vippy]

01:52 PM on 10/05/2011

Kudos to this governor and Bernie Sanders. The only progressive state in the whole USA.

[happylonersarah]

01:23 AM on 10/05/2011

I need to move to Vermont.

[piperflyer]

01:32 PM on 10/05/2011

Hurry.

[budanatr]

01:05 AM on 10/05/2011

Great Governor!! If I were ever to move back to the US, Vermont would be the only state I would consider moving myself and my company to.

[Robert Michael Willis]

11:21 PM on 10/04/2011

When my adult friends (many of whom are committed activists) heard there was to be a regular section on the main page of The Huffington Post, we were thrilled honored and amazed. But, then when we saw the actual article and it's name "Gay Voices" . . . we were all stunned & in shock. How could a highly intelligent, sensitive, and timely paper like Huffington Post pick just an unsensitive, narrowly focused, and juvenile title for this column? It's about what I'd expect for a small town Junior High School newspaper to choose!! To just say "WHAM! GAY VOICES" is to put a giant population into one simple "box" & a word used to stereotype and denegrate so many of us for most of our lives! If nothing more creative can be found . . . at least, to say GLBT News/Focus/Lives or whatever, would at least credit the Bi-sexual, Lesbian, and Trans Gendered populations for being "alive" & for being a part of this larger community. Come on guys, before you get all the T-shirts & Parade Floats finished, please consider renaming your column for GLBT folks & their Families !! And thank you for making a major effort for our community in being there in the first place. Best regards to all.

[armyof14USA]

10:19 PM on 10/04/2011

Leaders are suppose to lead, inspire, encourage, and support their communities, nations, and love their families and Vermont is a one lucky State. Home to Dr. Howard Dean, Senator Sanders, and Governor Peter Shumlin we are all lucky to have you, thank you for your support.

[sobe123]

12:52 PM on 10/05/2011

Very freshing versus some others that tell young GLBT that there is something wrong with them. We forget how a 16 year old or 17 year old takes adults words as absolute truth. So when Michelle Bachmann goes on a stage and says that being gay is a wrong "choice" it signals to that young person with same sex feelings that he/she is not worthy of life.

[armyof14USA]

05:28 PM on 10/05/2011

We are on a path of undoing mistakes of our forefathers who believed in one thing as the just and a right way to live no matter how unjust, despicable, and even dangerous that believes to others, they carry on with implementation of it to the extend of defending it with their lives.

Our generations came to realized that old believes are not the only right and just course of life and we are changing that. It may be too late for others but next generation would have a better understanding of how we all belong together and deserve equal rights.

[PTAOfficerforObama]

08:13 PM on 10/04/2011

I love my state and my governor...

[aceshigh11]

11:27 PM on 10/04/2011

I like this guy A LOT!

And I love VT...I seriously want to move there, not the least of which is Ben and Jerry's. :)

[babybuda]

07:29 PM on 10/04/2011

Lived many a great years in West West have respected you and can validate what you say It gets better! I no longer hail from The Great State of Vermont but she will always be home and you sir do her proud! Thank You.

[WI Patriot]

07:01 PM on 10/04/2011

I'd like to make an announcement that I am male and I like chicks -

Does someone want to try to tell me how to think? Or is not only free speech now prohibited - but also free thinking?

Seriously why is this news?

[David Moore]

09:16 PM on 10/04/2011

Because right now in some dark corner of someone's home, a child is contemplating suicide. He has been bullied to the point that life is too painful to live. The more our politicians come forward to support gays and lesbians, perhaps the less likely that kid will die. As for you being straight, congratulations on your coming to terms with being straight. I hope it was not too difficult for you to admit to yourself and others.

[chesscub]

11:06 PM on 10/04/2011

Bullying has been a nationwide phenomenon that needs to stop. "It Gets Better" is not about impinging on people's free speech rights at all. It's about telling those that feel downtrodden and are beaten upon that this time in their life in school is transitory and that better times are ahead if you can hold your head high and not let the bullies win.

[Bridgette Angelos]

06:21 PM on 10/04/2011

governor ( sp ) sorry......

[Bridgette Angelos]

06:18 PM on 10/04/2011

Govenor Shumlin, Vermont is lucky to have you.

[Aquinas]

06:12 PM on 10/04/2011

Great comment! We should have more of these from our elected officials instead of the hateful messages we get from them.