General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsColorado Public High School Bans Gay Valedictorian.
Why doesn't Arne Duncan speak out about this? He said early on that this issue.... lgbt visibility and school as a "safe space"..... was a priority for him.
Well?
>>>>Colorado senior Evan Young was a model student. He finished his high school career with an impressive 4.5 GPA and a scholarship to Rutgers University, and he was named Twin Peaks Charter Academy High Schools valedictorian. But when school officials read a draft of his graduation speecha customary honor given to the highest achieverthey opted to silence the student.
The talking point principal BJ Buchmann had a problem with was Youngs revelation that he is gay. Young planned to disclose his sexual orientation publicly for the first time during his speech.
My main theme is that youre supposed to be respectful of people, even if you dont agree with them, Young told The Denver Post on Thursday. I figured my gayness would be a very good way to address that.
Young sent a copy of his speech to the school administrators, who returned it to him with requested changes, most of which Young said he made. But when it came to omitting his sexual orientation, Young drew the line.
Id told him Im not going to remove the part where I say Im gay, because I am. Its important to me, said Young.
Adding insult to injury, the principal also called Youngs parents to let them know about the problem with the speech, and in doing so outed the 18-year-old to his mother and father.
My parents are very liberal. I think they were totally
the rest:http://news.yahoo.com/controversial-reason-high-school-cancelled-valedictorian-speech-164016528.html
Carewfan
(58 posts)The public schools in Colorado are very inclusive. Charter school aren't.
Smarmie Doofus
(14,498 posts)... or free space in "regular" public school buildings.
In NYS.... and everywhere else... AFAIK.
MohRokTah
(15,429 posts)and must abide by the same rules.
Buzz Clik
(38,437 posts)Deny the speech, and you make national headlines.
People in running high schools should not have a flat learning curve.
NaturalHigh
(12,778 posts)there might have been a few feel-good stories at most.
TexasMommaWithAHat
(3,212 posts)If the graduating class already knew he was gay and he mentioned that he was gay as a part of his story, I think it would be absolutely wrong to censor this student.
However, he was choosing the graduation ceremony of an entire class as his coming out party. While he deserves to be awarded recognition as valedictorian, I don't think he needs to call unnecessary attention to himself when its a group celebration.
The school officials definitely mishandled the situation, regardless.
fizzgig
(24,146 posts)"His mother and I were not sure that his coming out in a valedictorian speech was the appropriate place to say it, with grandchildren and 3-year-olds in the audience, and that's kind of what we said to BJ," Don Young said.
http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_28209959/longmont-valedictorian-silenced-over-speech-disclosing-he-was
TexasMommaWithAHat
(3,212 posts)hearing the word "gay." Or with him mentioning that he was gay.
Nothing at all wrong there, imo. It's the fact that he was going to make this event a little bit too much about himself.
fizzgig
(24,146 posts)but his dad said he didn't think it appropriate for him to say that in front of "three year olds and grandkids." that's not being supportive.
and i don't see it as the kid making it about him:
"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."
TexasMommaWithAHat
(3,212 posts)If his classmates already knew he was gay, and he was going to incorporate trials and tribulations he may have had to overcome specifically as a gay student, I'm all for it. But "Surprise, I'm gay!" And then everyone is talking about his announcement?
That's just not appropriate, imo.
And he hadn't even come out to his parents, yet. Was this his way of mustering up his courage to come out to them? I feel for him, but that's just not the way to do it.
gollygee
(22,336 posts)which certainly can include coming out. His speech should have been about him.
SickOfTheOnePct
(7,290 posts)No valedictorian's speech should be about them. It's a graduation, not a personal event.
gollygee
(22,336 posts)and they shouldn't have to hold back because they're gay.
SickOfTheOnePct
(7,290 posts)where the valedictorian or any other speaker spoke about their lives as it related to their sexuality. Gay or straight, that's not the place, IMO.
He was attempting to make the graduation all about, and the school stopped it, as they should have, IMO.
Smarmie Doofus
(14,498 posts)Ed. Sec. Duncan is already on record as saying the "place" for lgbt kids to be open about their sexuality is in the federally funded public schools they attend. He said that school administrators have a RESPONSIBILITY to make that happen.
If one doesn't like the content of the young man's speech, one can walk out, decline to attend ( if one knows what's up in advance) or quietly disagree.
>>>I've never been to a graduation
where the valedictorian or any other speaker spoke about their lives as it related to their sexuality. >>>>
Maybe you OUGHT to have.
gollygee
(22,336 posts)and heterosexual kids wouldn't say anything because we live in a heteronormative world - it wouldn't have to be said. It would be assumed. But a gay kid might feel like they have to avoid telling their truth if they're told they can't talk about being gay. Living as a gay teenager in a high school is about a lot more than sex and even sexuality. It's about relationships, bullying, becoming an adult.
Exilednight
(9,359 posts)on the Newsroom.
SickOfTheOnePct
(7,290 posts)It's a graduation, it shouldn't be made into his coming out party.
gollygee
(22,336 posts)Children being present doesn't make it inappropriate.
NaturalHigh
(12,778 posts)If this school receives one thin dime of public money, this is a violation of the First Amendment. Sue these jerks until there is no tomorrow.
SickOfTheOnePct
(7,290 posts)This isn't new, and it isn't a violation of the First Amendment.
NaturalHigh
(12,778 posts)It's not like he was advocating the overthrow of the government or something.