Teen comes out to entire school during, gets standing ovation...

[brmstn69]

When the high school student in Parsippany, N.J., came out, he did so in front of the entire school. His classmates responded with a standing ovation.

During the presentation of senior class awards, Rudolph was given the Class Actor award, an irony not lost on him. "Sure I've been in a few plays and musicals, but more importantly, I've been acting every single day of my life," Rudolph said. "You see, I've been acting as someone I'm not."

Rudolph continued:

Most of you see me every day. You see me acting the part of "straight" Jacob, when I am in fact LGBT. Unlike millions of other LGBT teens who have had to act every day to avoid verbal harassment and physical violence, I'm not going to do it anymore. It's time to end the hate in our society and accept the people for who they are regardless of their sex, race, orientation, or whatever else may be holding back love and friendship. So take me, leave me, or move me out of the way. Because I am what I am, and that's how I'm going to act from now on.

 

[Urban]

Wow, very courageous! And wonderful that he got such a reaction. IMO it shows once again that the tide is turning, especially in the younger generation (and that's the one that matters), and it's just a matter of time.

 

[bigsal]

These are things that warm the heart and give hope for a better world.

 

[herod]

Thank god that the newer generations are becoming more open and tolerant to the differences in our human world.

 

[RefixnarcisM]

Wonder if he get a different reaction when he open up on his junior or sophomore's year....the achievements play its role too, when he got the award then open up, people tend to think how hard his life could be yet he can get an achievement. Sympathy or so. Imo

 

[Ainsey]

Newer generations learn these things faster. I have a roommate & her 10 yr old son, seems to know more about me than I do; that's a scary thing. He already knows how gays act, respond, & enjoy their daily lives. He's accepting, not really judging. Never happened when I was growing up; but it is now!!!!!

 

[RefixnarcisM]

I think not all new generations, few. If not then the human equality rights wont be striven for. Bullying through action or no, verbal or no are still there. That kid just lucky to study in that school and got a great achievement. Different if he's a gay and doesn't have a great achievement, if he open up then his schoolmates might bullying him. Imo

 

[watcher555]

I think not all new generations, few. If not then the human equality rights wont be striven for. Bullying through action or no, verbal or no are still there. That kid just lucky to study in that school and got a great achievement. Different if he's a gay and doesn't have a great achievement, if he open up then his schoolmates might bullying him. Imo

good for him and kudos to his classmates for a standing ovation.

 

[BearGut4Yngr]

good for him

 

[Cerno]

I'd never come out like that. Even if I did, in my case, students would boo me. And the teachers might call my parents for religious counseling. And I might get outcast. School was a battlefield to me.

 

[blammy]

stands up and claps

 

[haiducii]

When the high school student in Parsippany, N.J., came out, he did so in front of the entire school. His classmates responded with a standing ovation...

That brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing it. :blushing:

These are things that warm the heart and give hope for a better world.

Yes! There is a hope.

 

[ihno]

Oh, I did come out like that. There were on about 60 or 80 students and we were on a journey - my whole grade. There were some gays and lesbians invited (my initiative) to inform about homosexuality and when they finally came I joined them on the podium. Some stupid pupils didn't understand, so I had to tell them.

 

[haiducii]

Oh, I did come out like that. There were on about 60 or 80 students and we were on a journey - my whole grade. There were some gays and lesbians invited (my initiative) to inform about homosexuality and when they finally came I joined them on the podium. Some stupid pupils didn't understand, so I had to tell them.

 

[ihno]

Thanks, haiducii.

Yes, every gay should do that. It was fun though I must say that the rest of my school time was a bit annoying sometimes because I was obviously "Mr. Gay". On the other hand I think I was some kind of a pain in the ass but it was just great to finally be able to stop that hiding-game. And OMG that was 21 years ago... But it was the right thing to do, others followed at other schools.

 

[bigsal]

Thanks, haiducii.

Yes, every gay should do that. It was fun though I must say that the rest of my school time was a bit annoying sometimes because I was obviously "Mr. Gay". On the other hand I think I was some kind of a pain in the ass but it was just great to finally be able to stop that hiding-game. And OMG that was 21 years ago... But it was the right thing to do, others followed at other schools.

I appreciate and admire what you have done, but be careful, there are situations, contexts and different realities.
For example, in my country, the action of this brave student, would have had an echo very much different, I assure you.

 

[ihno]

Hehe, it was 21 years ago and I didn't take a personal risk with it. It was in a rather liberal city and a peaceful school. It was exhausting although and sometimes very annoying. Everybody thought I would have nothing better to do in the 20 min break than to inform them about gays and lesbians etc. Oh, they told me about their gay uncles or postman and some tried to analyze the way I hold my cigarette and stuff like that. But still, it was the right thing to do and much better than living in secrecy. And finally it led to a very strange love story too.

 

[bigsal]

Hehe, it was 21 years ago and I didn't take a personal risk with it. It was in a rather liberal city and a peaceful school. It was exhausting although and sometimes very annoying. Everybody thought I would have nothing better to do in the 20 min break than to inform them about gays and lesbians etc. Oh, they told me about their gay uncles or postman and some tried to analyze the way I hold my cigarette and stuff like that. But still, it was the right thing to do and much better than living in secrecy. And finally it led to a very strange love story too.

This is very nice and should be so in the whole world. But unfortunately there are different realities, even today, and especially in countries like mine.

 

[Cerno]

For example, in my country, the action of this brave student, would have had an echo very much different, I assure you.

Indeed! Same thing here also. Even so, in US, many gay students/teenagers get depressed and kill themselves. So I think that gay student is VERY lucky that (almost) everyone supports him.