Hillary Clinton Tells LGBT Youth" Your life is so important to your family"

The "It Gets Better" online video campaign started by Dan Savage received significant political backing on Tuesdaywhen Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told at risk youth to "hang in there."

"Your life is so important to your family, your friends and to your country," she says in her YouTube video. "And there's so much waiting for you, both personally and professionally. There are so many opportunities to develop your talents and make your contributions."

Clinton said she was "terribly saddened" by the suicides of young people who were bullied because they were gay or thought to be gay. In the video, Clinton says "these most recent deaths remind Americans that we have to work harder to overcome bigotry and hatred."

As Secretary of State, Clinton expanded health and welfare benefits to include same-sex partners of State Department employees even before President Obama authorized same-sex benefits throughout the federal government. "Here at the State Department," she says, "I'm grateful every day for the work of our LGBT employees who are serving the United States as foreign service officers and civil servants here and around the world."

"So take heart," Clinton says. "Please remember that your life is valuable and that you are not alone. Many people are standing with you and sending their thoughts, their prayers and their strength. Count me among them. Take care of yourself."

Check out Clinton's video after the jump below.