Governor Paterson just posted an emotional message to LGBT youth, in the wake of several recent suicides by gay or lesbian teens.

Paterson talks about being bullied during his childhood, even working in an anecdote about striking another child in the face with a lunch box, as part of a larger message to youth that things will get better.

During the address, he also praises the Dignity For All Students Act that New York has passed, and provides several websites to help.

A complete transcript is after the jump.

“Now I know you will be hearing from a lot of high profile elected officials and celebrities and people that you recognize telling you it gets better. There is nothing like being a young person, hearing a bunch of people that look confident and secure, and totally in good shape telling you it gets better.”

“But I am a little different. I went to public school. I was the only visually disabled student, I am legally blind, that went to my school. Sometimes I was the only African-American kid in the class. So I know a lot about bullying. And I got bullied from the time I got to school in kindergarten pretty much into Junior high school, and even in high school.”

“On one occasion, I got so frustrated with the teachers, and the playground, people running the playground not doing anything about it, that I hit a kid in the face with a lunch box. And you know something. Even 40 years later, I am not sorry.”

“The reality is that people can be pushed to the brink. Six gay and Lesbian teenagers took their own lives in the last couple of months from being bullied. Numbers of people have suffered all kinds of pain from being isolated by others in society.”

“But here in New York we have passed the Dignity For All Students Act. So if you are discriminated against or bullied because your sex, or sexual orientation. Because of your race or religion, even if you are overweight, or if you are too shy, we aren’t going to tolerate people being pushed around anymore.”

“On your screen you are going to see the names of some websites for the Trevor program or the Gay and Lesbian Straight Network. You are not alone, there are plenty of people here to help you. And when we get together it is the bullies that are going to have to be worried, not you.”

“So have a wonderful day. Know that you are not alone. And don’t let anyone disrespect you, because they don’t have that power. You have the power. If you think you are alright, we think so too. Let us help. Thank you so much, I am Governor David Paterson, and now you know it does get better.”

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