School blocks speech by valedictorian declaring he is gay

[Jazzy]

A Colorado charter school refused to let a class valedictorian deliver a graduation speech in which he planned to come out as gay, prompting criticism from activists.

Evan Young, 18, said he agreed to make some suggested changes to the speech he planned to deliver on May 16 at the commencement ceremony for Twin Peaks Charter Academy High School in Longmont. But he refused to remove the disclosure about his sexuality.

"My main theme is that you're supposed to be respectful of people, even if you don't agree with them. I figured my gayness would be a very good way to address that," he said.

He and his father, Don Young, said they weren't notified until just a few minutes before the ceremony that Evan Young wouldn't be allowed to speak or be recognized as valedictorian.

"It's wrong, and it's not fair," said Mardi Moore, executive director of Out Boulder, a gay activist group. "The young man has all but a 4.5 GPA; he has told me that since a toddler he has worked for that honor, and they denied it."

Do you think he should have been allowed to speak? Why/Why not?

 

[DrLeftover]

Why did he submit that part before his speech instead of just 'winging it' during the ceremony.

I guess he learned an important lesson about "freedom of expression" at school (and employer) sponsored events.

 

[Jazzy]

Sexual preference is a personal affair and whether you support gay rights or not, all would agree a public declaration of your sexual preference extends beyond just your personal affairs, it also makes a statement. A valedictorian speech is not the proper platform to make such a statement. A valedictorian speech should not be used as a vehicle for personal validation, furthering a cause, or endorsing an agenda. It is supposed to be a moment of reflection over the past four years and a way to look forward to the future for everybody in the assembly. Openly declaring your sexual preference, while perhaps liberating for someone living in the closet, is not appropriate for a speech in front of hundreds of people who are there to celebrate their achievements, or their children's achievements. If you want to publicly declare yourself gay, republican, democrat, whatever...there's always Facebook.

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

Something tells me it was more then just what is written here. But lets say it is just this. As long as there was no foul language. He was not getting graphic about being gay and this would include any sexual preference. And he was not speaking badly about others in the speech they should have let him do his thing. Again if it is actually as it happened in this article I support the kid.