School Prohibits Fifth-Grader From Giving Speech On Same-Sex Marriage - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people coming out

Dan82 · 15th Jun 2012, 11:47 AM

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stori...e-sex-marriage

Quote:

Kameron Slade worked on his speech with his mother and his teacher after winning a class competition. He was slated to deliver it in a school-wide contest at PS 195.

That's no longer going to happen. His mother, who doesn't want to be identified, said the principal told her the topic is inappropriate.

"For him to be denied the right to voice his opinion really upsets me," she said.

"I was really looking forward to it," Kameron said. "I thought that this was a real good winning speech for tomorrow."

Kameron's mother said he was told to choose any topic, so he chose same-sex marriage. But on Wednesday, the principal said he should write another speech or be removed from the contest.

"She said that people have different opinions on it and that some parents may not want their children to learn about this type of topic," Kameron said.

Kameron's speech calls for acceptance and tolerance. It describes his mother's explanation of the issue and his impression of his mother's friends who are gay...

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stori...e-sex-marriage

Travel Tech · 15th Jun 2012, 12:56 PM

Stupid principal. I hope that speech gets out there somehow.

**Chip** · 15th Jun 2012, 04:26 PM

This is probably an issue that if the ACLU gets involved, the principal would lose. In this case, I think it's fear and bigotry (and a fear of conflict) that's causing the principal to wimp out. I hope they fight it.

Aldrick · 15th Jun 2012, 05:37 PM

Ironically, I think this could easily be linked to the other thread where the kid who wore the anti-gay T-Shirt wasn't allowed to do so. It's just an example of why Free Speech is such a critical part of the United States. It protects everyone, and keeps the government from picking sides.

The school is clearly in the wrong here, and they are violating his First Amendment Rights.

Aeon Magus · 15th Jun 2012, 08:02 PM

It's funny. He was told to choose any topic, then after his hard work he's told "any topic but that". I agree with Chip, they should fight it. He won a contest, so let him speak about what he wants to.

**thecat06** · 15th Jun 2012, 08:33 PM

I really hope that they fight this. It is not right that he is not allowed to give his speech.

ilayis · 15th Jun 2012, 08:42 PM

Definitely should fight it

solarcat · 15th Jun 2012, 09:10 PM

I'm not a lawyer, but given that the speech would have been read as part of a contest held by the school, on school time- not his free time- is it considered a First Amendment right?

I don't think there's anything the school could do to prevent him from reading it aloud during recess, or printing it out and distributing it around the school, though.

Ultimately, I think the school is being immature here- the problem is obviously that it's about same-sex mariage, and refusing to let him read it simply because other people might not agree.

Doctor Faustus · 16th Jun 2012, 07:12 AM

Whatever happened to freedom of thought and expression?!

Pain · 16th Jun 2012, 07:55 AM

That's silly and clearly does violate 1st Amendment rights. What trash.

DryOasis · 16th Jun 2012, 09:40 AM

Very unfortunate. He prepared an extremely relevant topic, one that EVERYBODY talks about.

SkyDiver · 16th Jun 2012, 10:30 AM

There's an update!

He is now allowed to give the speech.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/06/...will-go-ahead/

Travel Tech · 16th Jun 2012, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDiver

There's an update!

He is now allowed to give the speech.

Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott Says PS 195 5th Grader Kameron Slade Will Be Allowed To Deliver Speech Supporting Same-Sex Marriage « CBS New York

Yay!

15th Jun 2012, 12:56 PM	#2
Travel Tech EC Addict Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: I might be asexual Out Status: Just my mom, a couple counselors, and a few others Location: University of New Hampshire Posts: 470 Join Date: Mar 2012	Re: School Prohibits Fifth-Grader From Giving Speech On Same-Sex Marriage Stupid principal. I hope that speech gets out there somehow.

15th Jun 2012, 04:26 PM	#3
Chip EC Advisor EC Admin Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: northern CA Posts: 8,854 Join Date: May 2008	Re: School Prohibits Fifth-Grader From Giving Speech On Same-Sex Marriage This is probably an issue that if the ACLU gets involved, the principal would lose. In this case, I think it's fear and bigotry (and a fear of conflict) that's causing the principal to wimp out. I hope they fight it.

15th Jun 2012, 05:37 PM	#4
Aldrick EC Addict Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Some people Location: Virginia Age: 30 Posts: 833 Join Date: Apr 2012	Re: School Prohibits Fifth-Grader From Giving Speech On Same-Sex Marriage Ironically, I think this could easily be linked to the other thread where the kid who wore the anti-gay T-Shirt wasn't allowed to do so. It's just an example of why Free Speech is such a critical part of the United States. It protects everyone, and keeps the government from picking sides. The school is clearly in the wrong here, and they are violating his First Amendment Rights.

15th Jun 2012, 08:02 PM	#5
Aeon Magus EC's Blue Gaylien Full Member Gender: I go peepee standing up xD Orientation: I'm a Man's Man Out Status: The people that I care about most. Location: Western Cape, SA Age: 27 Posts: 2,919 Join Date: Nov 2011	Re: School Prohibits Fifth-Grader From Giving Speech On Same-Sex Marriage It's funny. He was told to choose any topic, then after his hard work he's told "any topic but that". I agree with Chip, they should fight it. He won a contest, so let him speak about what he wants to. __________________ Sing me a Painting, I'll paint you a Song Inside my heart is breaking. My make-up may be flaking, but my smile still stays on. The show must go on.

15th Jun 2012, 08:33 PM	#6
thecat06 Let the journey of life continue! EC Moderator Gender: Let's say Pangender! (Leaning towards male) Orientation: Let's say gay!! (Homoromantic Demisexual) Out Status: Pretty close to 100% out. Location: Central and Northern Ohio Age: 20 Posts: 7,331 Join Date: Jun 2011 Tournaments Won: 10	Re: School Prohibits Fifth-Grader From Giving Speech On Same-Sex Marriage I really hope that they fight this. It is not right that he is not allowed to give his speech. __________________ The tide of history only advances when people make themselves fully visible. -Anderson Cooper

15th Jun 2012, 08:42 PM	#7
ilayis Social Loner Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Bisexual Out Status: Some people Location: Grapevine,Texas Age: 26 Posts: 337 Join Date: Oct 2008	Re: School Prohibits Fifth-Grader From Giving Speech On Same-Sex Marriage Definitely should fight it

15th Jun 2012, 09:10 PM	#8
solarcat A friend of yours...? Full Member Gender: Trans Catgirl♥ Orientation: Likes girls, licks boys Out Status: As bi- Anyone; As a girl- No one Location: Arizona? Okay, whatevs... Age: 24 Posts: 3,788 Join Date: Jun 2011	Re: School Prohibits Fifth-Grader From Giving Speech On Same-Sex Marriage I'm not a lawyer, but given that the speech would have been read as part of a contest held by the school, on school time- not his free time- is it considered a First Amendment right? I don't think there's anything the school could do to prevent him from reading it aloud during recess, or printing it out and distributing it around the school, though. Ultimately, I think the school is being immature here- the problem is obviously that it's about same-sex mariage, and refusing to let him read it simply because other people might not agree. __________________ .へ_へ (>òДδ)> TEH HUGZES!!!

16th Jun 2012, 07:12 AM	#9
Doctor Faustus EC's resident Philosopher at Large Regular Member Gender: Male Peep Orientation: Male Peeps Out Status: Closet? What closet? Location: Basingstoke, UK Age: 21 Posts: 1,811 Join Date: Oct 2011	Re: School Prohibits Fifth-Grader From Giving Speech On Same-Sex Marriage Whatever happened to freedom of thought and expression?! __________________ "I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love." - Mother Teresa. "Injustice, then, is simply inequalities that are not to the benefit of all." - John Rawls.

16th Jun 2012, 07:55 AM	#10
Pain Once QVLM Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out Location: NE OH Age: 19 Posts: 2,644 Join Date: Mar 2012	Re: School Prohibits Fifth-Grader From Giving Speech On Same-Sex Marriage That's silly and clearly does violate 1st Amendment rights. What trash. __________________ Shurado

16th Jun 2012, 09:40 AM	#11
DryOasis Well Known Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Not Out, ask and I might tell Location: South Africa Age: 20 Posts: 173 Join Date: Apr 2012	Re: School Prohibits Fifth-Grader From Giving Speech On Same-Sex Marriage Very unfortunate. He prepared an extremely relevant topic, one that EVERYBODY talks about. __________________ The coldest blood runs through my veins, you know my name...

16th Jun 2012, 10:30 AM	#12
SkyDiver ภูมิใจที่ได้เป็นเกย์ Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Alberta Posts: 1,760 Join Date: Mar 2012 Tournaments Won: 3	Re: School Prohibits Fifth-Grader From Giving Speech On Same-Sex Marriage There's an update! He is now allowed to give the speech. http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/06/...will-go-ahead/

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