Student Banned From Making His Valedictorian Speech Got to Deliver It on National TV

Evan Young of Longmont, Colorado was banned from making his valedictorian speech at his own graduation from Twin Peaks Charter Academy High School. He submitted a draft of the speech to administrators and then provided them a revised speech where he made all the changes they asked for but one. He had planned to come out as gay during the speech but the school would not permit him to include any references to his sexual orientation. The principal then called Young's parents about the issue, outing him without his consent in the process.

Ultimately, Young was not allowed to speak at his graduation. He did get the chance to deliver his speech after all at a fundraising event for Out Boulder, a Colorado LGBT advocacy group and on national television on The Nightly Show.