05-30-2015, 11:44 PM
(05-30-2015, 11:12 PM)StLucieBengal Wrote: Graduation ceremony and speech are for the whole class, school, and their families. Not for this guy to overshadow it all and come out gay.
Pretty selfish of this guy.
I can't agree with calling him selfish, because it's natural to be inclined to talk about one's self when giving any sort of address. It's what you know best. Valedictorian speeches always contain some aspect of the speaker's personal expereinces in school, and I'd imagine much of his personal experiences are colored by his sexual orientation and how he was viewed as a result. It's the elephant in the room to him, I'm guessing, and he wanted to share.
Having said that, in high school, you simply do not have the same free speech rights you would as an adult. You can't wear a t-shirt that says "**** You" to class, and you have to have your speech approved before you can give it. That's how the high school world works. So, I have no trouble with his speech being censored for the ceremony. It's what they do. He will have many opportunities in college to share his thoughts on the subject.
I do believe the "outting" was handled poorly by the principal.
“We're 2-7! What the **** difference does it make?!” - Bruce Coslet
