High school can be a rough time for teens, but this is especially true for gay teens like Mead Ryder.

Nearly one in five students reported being physically assaulted because of their sexual orientation, according to a 2009 survey by the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network.

Kentucky’s bullying legislation has no protections for LGBT (lesbian gay bisexual transgendered) students. HB370 attempted to change this in February 2011 but was buried in the House after amendments were attached.

Mead has the support of his friends and family and can express himself freely to them. He tries to promote that same fairness to others.