At a “Breaking the Silence”-themed assembly to honor Martin Luther King Jr., a high school senior used the opportunity to come out to the entire schooland discuss the importance of diversity and acceptance and speak out against antigay bullying in schools.

“I’m terrified to share my message,” Kayla begins. “I’m afraid of losing friends and losing loved ones. I’m afraid of losing my reputation at this school and the way people look at me. This speech will change my life forever, but I hope that my words can change more.

Kayla K. is a senior at Maria Carrillo High School in Santa Rosa, California, about 60 miles north of San Francisco. Watch here powerful speech here.

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