A gay high school basketball player who has been the victim of harassment both in and outside of school has now been dealt the blow of being omitted from the team’s yearbook spread.
Dalton Maldonado made news earlier this year after enduring a terrible ordeal of homophobia at a Kentucky basketball tournament after he’d come out as gay.
As Dalton’s team boarded the bus, the opposing team shouted “faggot,” egging him to come out and face them. Several players even followed the bus as it made its way back to the hotel — something his coach and tournament officials didn’t take lightly.
His school administration claimed the incident never happened, despite multiple eyewitness accounts saying otherwise.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Now OutSports reports that school officials have gone one step further by removing the graduating senior from the yearbook.
Below, see the two-page spread in which Dalton is the only player left out:
It seems the administration has even more to answer for now.
Luckily for Dalton, he’s off to the University of Louisville next year, where he’ll likely find a more inclusive atmosphere.
But for current and future students at Betsy Lane High School in rural Kentucky, this treatment can’t stand.
h/t: OutSports
Rich Penway
feel free to tell the school how you feel about this. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Betsy-Layne-High-School/307986995985452?rf=106177962753881
hyhybt
That’s low and all, but isn’t this the wrong time of year?
Kevin J Desmond
Ok so if gay and lesbians don’t have any rights then why should we the LGBT community have to pay taxes. Citizens have to pay taxes however non citizens do not … so if we don’t have any rights then that mean we are not citizens of this country which means we don’t have to pay tax.
Anthony Porter
Sad
Ron Loftus
don’t sweat it..you know you are a strong person of conviction. love
MacAdvisor
@Kevin J Desmond:
“Citizens have to pay taxes however non citizens do not”
In what country do non-citizens not pay taxes? This is utter hogwash. Even a foreign visitor here illegally pays taxes. He buys something at Home Depot do you think the store doesn’t charge him sales tax? He gets a cell phone, do you think the phone company doesn’t charge him excise taxes? He buys gas for his car, does he pay less for gas because the station doesn’t charge him fuel taxes? If he buys a house, do you think the county doesn’t asses property taxes? Assuming he gets a legitimate job, do you think the employer doesn’t deduct Social Security taxes (for a program he will never benefit from, btw), Medicare, or income tax withholding? Foreign visitors here legally pay the same taxes residents do.
Kevin, your assumption is simply silly and you know better. We gay people don’t need a lavender Trump.
Clark35
@hyhybt: Exactly, it’s summer and school is not in session.
hyhybt
@Clark35: Around here, school *is* in session. Depending on the district, mostly beginning either this week or last. They let out for summer in early to mid May, so there’s no leftover piece of the first semester after Christmas break.
archiesdaddy
Everyone pays taxes, even those who do not work of choice rather than of sickness or lack of employment opportunity. Quite often LBGT people excel. They exceed the norm. I am not sure why but I know that we do. Until recently, we paid more in direct and indirect taxes and government mandated contributions to universal benefits than did heterosexuals. Until recently we were all categorised as ‘single’ and we could not claim the sort of tax breaks to which marrieds had a right. We have rights, even in Kentucky, and those that can should do their best to punish those who discriminate against us, as they have so patently done against the particular young man in this case. In the United States you have laws and those laws have often been won with pain, suffering, blood and death. Those who have the will and the ability to see those laws enforced should now consider what legally sanctioned remedies can be brought to bear upon those who have maliciously acted as they have.
Ladbrook
@hyhybt: Two things: First, some schools operate year-round school calendars. I’m not sure about that one in Kentucky, but it might be one of them.
Second, some schools are now printing yearbooks over the summer to distribute in the fall. This method allows for prom coverage, honors day, spring sports, and, of course, commencement. Maybe this high school uses that method. Plus, a growing number of schools are now publishing online yearbooks to save money. Either way, it might explain why this is happening in August. Of course, it could also just be an old story. LOL.
aliengod
Seems there must be more to this story.
Chris
Yeah; there’s more to the story. The young man thinks it’s an effort to pretend that his being harassed never happened. Even the New York Daily News, that bastion of bleeding liberal bigheartedness (NOT!), makes the point:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/kentucky-grad-left-yearbook-anti-gay-claims-article-1.2323350
Bauhaus
It is not possible for this guy to get away from his shitty little high school and his fuckwit parents a day too soon. I’ve been in his shoes.
derek mcgillicuddy
This boy has learnt early that the world is an unfair and shitty place. I was tortured by the other kids in school, but I was the valedictorian. When the administration learnt that I was planning to excoriate the bullies and tell them they could look forward to living their little lives, with their little wives, and their little cars, suddenly my GPA was recalculated and I became the Salutatorian. A girl who got an “A” in Home Economics rather than my honours Chemistry “B” was then given the “honour,” and she gave a predictably dull but pro forma speech called “I Challenge You.”
Since then I have lived my life with fewer disappointments because I no longer expect decency and honour from people, especially those who have a little bit of “power.”
[why is your system stating that I am posting comments “too quickly?” I haven’t posted a word in months.]
Ladbrook
And people wonder why there are so many gayborhoods in large cities. This is why. Kids like this escape and never come back… but, of course, to the bigots in town, that’s a feature, not a bug.
navy94
Luckily Louisville is much more progressive than it’s redneck neighbors. He should feel very welcome and accepted here. UofL does not tolerate bullsh@t like that they are as open as the city itself. Granted we do have our problems from time to time but all in all this is a pretty good city.
Jacob23
@derek mcgillicuddy: Didn’t you get to make a speech as the salutatorian? That’s the way it worked at my high school. Anyway, sorry that happened to you.
As for this school, Maldonado needs to haul their @sses into court. These people were quick to dismiss his claims of harassment by a team from another school. Given what they did with the yearbook, there’s every reason to believe that they conducted a rigged investigation.
balehead
The opposing team of Blacks outed him…..why isn’t that a bigger part of the story…Do Blacks want to kill every Gay?…
Kangol
@balehead: Did you miss the article about the KKK, which is a white organization that hates even gay r@cists like you? Get help, please.
Captain Obvious
Maybe people can now stop acting like the world has suddenly become progressive for everyone.
This is why people need to stop claiming sexual fluidity and proudly state your sexuality. The more visibility the harder it is for bigots to do these things and get away with it.
This happened back when I was in high school and I’m only 32. I didn’t come out in high school because I grew up in a rural area too and the one kid I knew of who was publically out was basically picked on every time I saw him. Every other guy was closeted for safety by blending in.
The one “good” thing kids have now that we didn’t have access to is online schooling. You can finish high school online and while it’s still “hiding” it would at least help more kids in rural areas make it to college without potential suicide, bullying, or being beaten(possibly to death).
@balehead: The heck are you on about? I’m from a rural area and got picked on for being gay by a bunch of rednecks and I’m black. Everyone is capable of bigotry and I can assure you black people are not leading KKK groups or nationalist groups. How about you cut out the bs?
youarekiddingme
@Kevin J Desmond: I guess I’m having a little trouble understanding your statement…We don’t have rights, so therefore we’re not citizens and we shouldn’t have to pay taxes? Hmmm. Let’s s see:
I most certainly am a Citizen of the United States
I am Gay
I do get discriminated against
I do have less (but not no) civil rights than my fellow straight citizens
I do have to pay taxes
I think what you need to do is become VERY active in the next political election. Fight for your rights. We need to pass civil rights legislation that protects the LGBT community (since we have no such protections at this time). We have won the first battle with SCOTUS’ Decision on gay marriage…now we need to march forward with the rest. Might be a good start to send your comments to the school’s facebook page as suggested by Rich Penway (at the beginning of this post) as a start.
The only thing that refusing to pay your taxes will get you is: JAIL!
North Piñon
This is some bullshit. Blatant, hateful discrimination.
Transiteer
The Ignorants of Kentucky. All childish and immature isn’t it? As well as being petty, and mean. Obviously a collection of losers.
Leonard Woodrow
This low “highschool”, along with all its antigay students and teachers, should be boycotted by all decent people. They need to be shown how disgusting and dangerous their antiquated, KKK ideas are.
Speak up all you caring citizens and get rid of the shameful attitudes in your midst.
Jerie Ragsac
nah.. who needs school? play minecraft and be a millionaire.
FeRDNYC
@Leonard Woodrow:
I’m not really sure how you “boycott” a high school — what would that even entail?
Regardless, the school is a public resource, it belongs to the students, parents, and the community. The better response to this is not for them to turn their backs on it, but rather to take it back for themselves. They should call for the firing of those school officials involved in this coverup/smokescreen, and make it clear that institutionalized homophobia and victim-blaming is not how the school will be operated.
Bill Pappas
Did this happen now or 50 years ago? Why can’t morons who live in the U.S. realise it is a sign of the times evolution of certain things brings about change and understanding for humans to co-exist in harmony. Why do certain cu@@@ts pigeon hole people ? Why should we all be labelled? Among those who bullied him may be closet cases , who take out their aggresion to their own kind. They should crawl back into their miserable existence
Dan Steele
Lawsuit time
Sluggo2007
So, after all this, he STILL picks a Kentucky school to further his education? Apparently, he’s not the brightest bulb in the chandelier.
Bauhaus
@Sluggo2007:
In-state tuition, scholarship? Also, there is an active LGBT group on campus, as well as commitment to diversity from the university, including sexual orientation.
Rude Drew
Am I the only one that is gonna make a “I bet he can handle balls real well” joke? Anyways he’s a cute young athlete who’s going to college. He should have some good times coming his way
youarekiddingme
@Sluggo2007: You’re actually a few bricks short of a full load yourself! How about the cost of an out-of-state school is double or more per credit hour? How about how is he going to get there? Where is he going to stay? Hey Mister BRIGHT CHANDELIER! Why don’t you send him the money to go to a nice school out of state huh? As they say (and you are sooo fond of sayings): “Money Talks and Bullshit Walks!”
Jonathonz
Umm the school is named “Betsy Layne High School.” That’s about the gayest name for a high school I’ve ever heard.
Cam
This is the typical Southern Passive Aggressive Crap that is always pulled.
If this story hadn’t gotten national attention, the school would have responded like this.
“Oh gee, son, that was a mistake, but why is it so important to you? You are there int he team photos, this sounds like you are just looking for attention, we would hate to have to hold up your transcripts because of your being disruptive.” Or something along those lines.
What will happen now, is that they will send out a supplement with his photo in it, but I promise you 99% that it will be some picture where he has his eyes closed, or is dropping the ball or something like that. Bigots are petty.
And the attack of the rac-ist or the bigot is ALWAYS to claim that the victim is “Just trying to get attention.”
stranded
@Rude Drew: I think there’s a time for that kind of joking around. This isn’t the time though, of course that’s just my opinion. In different circumstances, i would have chuckled at the joke.
As the others, I too questioned why this was news now, if school ends in June. But, that’s any reason to doubt this story. Either it took time to go viral, or whoever finally uploaded it, didn’t do it right away when the book was handed out to students. Maybe he tried to forget about it. He graduated, was starting college, figured this last diss by his school wasn’t worth his time.
Louis
Eventually these peoples loud echoes of hatred will be replaced with the far louder cries of love and ultimate acceptance.
These people will be left behind when the dust settles .
Jane Cain
Was holding my breath for things to change. Gotta take a breath and start all over. Can’t stop believing that things will change.
cabe
@Sluggo2007: I think he is able and has made a positive impact in a state that needs some enlightenment. There has to be someone carrying the gay torch in KY. Plus, I’m sure he wants to be near family.
Bauhaus
@Rude Drew:
“Anyways he’s a cute young athlete who’s going to college. He should have some good times coming his way”
It took about a week for some good times (men) to come my way in college. I was in a similar situation back in the 80s, with absolutely no support or encouragement. His university seems inclusive and has an LGBT group on campus. Fortunately, he will have resources available to help him transition and to cope with school and family difficulties, if he needs it.
Clark35
@Rude Drew: So he’ll become a pass around parTy jock bottom in college?
Clark35
@Bauhaus: Did you take POZ loads then like the guy in the article has, or will?
Bauhaus
@Clark35:
Get stuffed, troll.
Clark35
@Bauhaus: I’m not a troll. But you probably have taken poz loads.
Bauhaus
@Clark35:
Geez, projection much? Yikes, get some help.
Clark35
@Bauhaus: Nope. I have never even bottomed but you probably did swallow and take poz loads up the ass in the 80s.
derek mcgillicuddy
@Clark35: I wonder why conversations on-line sooner or later degenerate — no pun intended — into crazy insults and other unseemly behaviour. Before you type something as crazy as this, why don’t you just imagine that you are going to meet that person later in the afternoon and ask yourself if you would say such a thing under those circumstances. Why are we old queens so mean and nasty to each other?
Cam
@Clark35: If your first instinct is to lash out at this student for no reason you are either the typical anti-gay troll, or a bitter self hating person who is furious that this kid had more guts than you ever did.
Sorry about your life.
Maleko
@Dan Steele: This is something the Southern Poverty Law Center would like to know about. They take serious and effective legal action in cases like this; this case looks like a dream come true for the young man and the SPLC. The young man will get enough money out of this to have a free ride to Cal Berkeley, UCLA, Yale, Harvard or BY (OK, BYU sucks, but nobody gets treated like this); I grew up in Salt Lake, Utah, Mormon, the whole enchilada, but was never treated like this. The school district, administration and faculty face severe legal liability for this, which is to say that those people will be making a multi-million dollar contribution to the attorneys that sue the school district, to the young man treated like this and to the HTC for their role in stopping this. Lambda League takes these cases and does quite well in getting relief as does SPLC. Get yourself legal help from one or both od these groups and enjoy the ride. This is infuriating beyond words. Of course, it is Kentucky
Maude
Bunch of inbred morons.
NYtoSF
Now lets not get our feathers ruffled ….
Is his picture in the team picture?
For one, of course he got picked on in school. Fat girls, geeks, ect…get picked on too. My daughter got left out once in a YB & in my days I did too.
It could be a accident. LIGHT BULB! Oh oh I just thought of something….or maybe they’re discriminating on us for being ugly. Seriously though.
Just because your a certain way doesn’t mean in life THAT’S why some things can and will go wrong. 🙂
captainburrito
What was the rationale of omitting him from the yearbook? O_o I honestly can’t get my head around it. Was it the school or the yearbook committee or his team mates?