It Gets Better - A Message from Penn President Amy Gutmann

President Amy Gutmann of the University of Pennsylvania addresses recent bullying and discrimination against the LGBTQ community by participating in the "It Gets Better" project. Transcript of text below:

My name is Amy Gutmann. I'm President of the University of Pennsylvania.

As Benjamin Franklin wisely noted, "...a useful truth may be known, and exist, before it is generally received and practiced on."

The truth is: Diversity makes our society stronger. We need you to be yourself.

Not everyone accepts this truth. If you are being bullied. If you are scared. Or if you feel alone, reach out to friends and family. Know that there are communities ready to welcome you with open arms.

The truth is: It gets better.

Penn's campus is peopled with some of the world's most passionate and promising young women and men.

Our students are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender -- and straight too.

And they are committed to making a positive difference in the world.

The truth is: Our work is far from finished. It gets better.

Our campus community, like those of many other colleges and universities, embraces differences -- and embraces you.

Stay strong. Our communities will stand by you and support you.

We are here to help.

Always remember that people you have never met -- here at Penn and across the country -- accept you for who you are and want you to thrive.