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Teen Campaigns To Get 'R' Rating Lowered On Bullying Documentary

SHERMAN OAKS (CBS) — A teenager is working to get the "R" rating lowered on a new documentary about bullying.

Katy Butler is scheduled to appear before the Motion Pictures Assn. of America (MPAA) Wednesday morning and deliver a petition with more than 200,000 signatures.

Butler, who is originally from Michigan, told CBS2/KCAL9's Louisa Hodge the soon-to-be-released documentary titled "Bully" is one she can relate to.

That's because Butler says she was verbally and even physically abused by her peers after coming out as a lesbian in middle school.

"I was bullied and harassed mostly every day in middle school and... I had my hand slammed in my locker and they ended up breaking my finger," she said.

Butler says she feels strongly that this movie has the potential to help other kids realize that they aren't alone… but there's one problem.

"How many 13-year-old kids want to see a movie with their mom and dad," she says.

According to MPAA -- which issues movie ratings -- the adult language in the film requires parental or adult supervision.

"I think the language is part of the message. I mean, the language that's in this movie is the language that kids hear every day in school," Butler said.

With the help of an organization called change.org, Butler started a petition.

In a little over a week, she had more than 200,000 signatures from around the country and the world.

"It just feels unreal that I'm able to do this. I have the opportunity to come and present my opinion and the opinion of over 200,000 people to the MPAA," she said.

The movie is set to be released on March 30.

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