Colorado Public High School Bans Gay Valedictorian.

[Smarmie Doofus]

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 School’s valedictorian. But when school officials read a draft of his graduation speech—a customary honor given to the highest achiever—they opted to silence the student.

The talking point principal BJ Buchmann had a problem with was Young’s 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 you’re supposed to be respectful of people, even if you don’t 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.

“I’d told him I’m not going to remove the part where I say I’m gay, because I am. It’s important to me,” said Young.

Adding insult to injury, the principal also called Young’s 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]

1. Note it said charter school, not public school.

The public schools in Colorado are very inclusive. Charter school aren't.

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. Charter schools ARE public schools. Or they SAY they are when they want public $$$$....

... or free space in "regular" public school buildings.

In NYS.... and everywhere else... AFAIK.

[MohRokTah]

8. They get public money so they ARE public schools

and must abide by the same rules.

[Buzz Clik]

3. Kid gives speech: A few mumbles and applause from the crowd. Everyone goes home.

Deny the speech, and you make national headlines.

People in running high schools should not have a flat learning curve.

[NaturalHigh]

15. Yep. If they had let him give his speech...

there might have been a few feel-good stories at most.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

4. I kind of see both sides

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]

5. and yet his parents didn't think it was appropriate for little kids to hear their son is gay

Initially, Evan's parents were somewhat sympathetic to Buchmann's decision concerning the speech.

"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]

6. I don't see a problem with three year olds

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]

7. i don't either

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:

"One of my themes is that I was going to tell everyone my secrets," Young explained Thursday. "Most of the things were stupid stuff — books I never read that I was supposed to, or homework I didn't like. But then I gradually worked up to serious secrets.

"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]

11. Is graduation really about coming out?

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]

12. It's about starting the rest of your life

which certainly can include coming out. His speech should have been about him.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

16. No, his speech shouldn't have been about him

No valedictorian's speech should be about them. It's a graduation, not a personal event.

[gollygee]

19. They very often talk about their lives

and they shouldn't have to hold back because they're gay.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

20. I've never been to a graduation

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]

21. What IS the "place"?

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. Sexuality is not just about sex

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. Aaron Sorkin did a great scene about what you are saying on

on the Newsroom.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

10. That's the way I see it too

It's a graduation, it shouldn't be made into his coming out party.

[gollygee]

13. It doesn't hurt 3-year-olds to hear that someone is gay

Children being present doesn't make it inappropriate.

[NaturalHigh]

14. What a load of crap.

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]

17. Schools can control what student speakers say at graduation

This isn't new, and it isn't a violation of the First Amendment.

[NaturalHigh]

18. Take it to court and let them decide.

It's not like he was advocating the overthrow of the government or something.