Gay valedictorian gives his banned graduation speech on ‘The Nightly Show’

theGrio REPORT - Evan Young, the valedictorian of Twin Peaks Charter Academy, was not able to give his speech at graduation because the principal cancelled it when Young said he was going to come out as gay during the speech.

TheGrio Staff

Jun 7, 2015

Evan Young, the valedictorian of Twin Peaks Charter Academy, was not able to give his speech at graduation because the principal cancelled it when Young said he was going to come out as gay during the speech.

Although Young said that his coming out was part of a general point he was trying to make, the principal insisted that Young could not make comments about sexuality and then proceeded to show the speech to Young’s parents, who Young had not yet come out to.

The decision not to allow Young to give the speech may have violated the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, which states that it is discriminatory to refuse, withhold or deny “equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations” in an educational setting.

However, Kathy DeMatteo, president of the charter school’s board of directors insisted that the speech was cancelled because it was “condescending toward the school and his peers,” and that heterosexual students were not allowed to discuss their sexuality, either.

No matter the whys or the hows, though, the fact remains that Young did not get to give his speech, despite the fact that, as valedictorian, he had clearly earned the right to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Not to worry, though. The Nightly Show had Young come and give his speech to an even bigger audience, and you can watch it below.