Coming out to one or two people can be hard enough for any gay teen, but could you imagine coming out to an auditorium filled with your classmates and their parents all at once? The daunting situation became reality for one Texas teen last week, who said coming out for the very first time in his Salutatorian speech at graduation just “felt natural.”
Mitch Anderson of Belton High School, boasting a 112.2 GPA and a perfect PSAT score, told local news outlet KTEM that his decision to come out was urged by gay champions in pop culture like Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Zachary Quinto. “They are all about standing up for who you are, being different, being unique,” he said. “They’ve gotten strong positive reception for their [actions].”
In his inspirational speech, Anderson talked about struggling with his own sexuality, and how accepting it finally allowed him to be true to himself.
From Anderson’s speech:
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“I myself am guilty of self-doubt, relying on others to give my life definition. But that time has passed, and I feel the moment has arrived for me to be publicly true to my personal identity. So now, I can say, I’m gay. It is both a significant portion of who I am and an inconsequential aspect. It’s as natural and effortless to me as breathing. I couldn’t change myself even if I wanted, and believe me, I have.
Though he previously told no one about his plans to come out during his speech, Anderson says he was completely unfazed by the large crowd and impressed with the outpouring of support he experienced after. “I’ve received so much support and kindness,” he said. “Knowing that [people] found the speech inspirational has been really amazing.”
And though he’s received some negative feedback, this kid is taking it with a thick skin. “It’s a little bit hurtful,” he said “but it’s really no big deal. I’d rather they direct their hate and anger, at me, rather than someone else, because I know I can take it and blow it off.”
Mitch says he plans to attend the University of Texas in Austin next year, where he’ll study Biology and Psychology (and hopefully snag an equally amazing boyfriend while he’s at it).
To read Anderson’s speech in full, visit KTEM.
Dixie Rect
This is very self absorbed – sounds like he just wanted all the attention at this graduation event with 100’s of other graduating seniors. Nice way to make it all about YOU. What a little bitch.
mjcc1987
@Dixie Rect: What the fuck? Put the crack pipe away
ChuckGG
@Dixie Rect: That’s a bit harsh. Kind of a “heavy price” to pay for getting some attention. I can see the point of what does being gay and coming out have to do with a graduation, and that perhaps it isn’t the time or place, but I will cut the kid some slack. No doubt he helped many kids in the closet that day who might start up a conversation with their parents. I see no harm in it and only advantages.
Dixie Rect
It’s a graduation. Not a political rally or some sort of protest event. He did it for attention, nothing more. I’m sure everyone at the school knew he was gay and didn’t care. Instead, he decides to make it all about him. Selfish.
Homophile
@Dixie Rect:
Ya rake a kid over the coals over the internet. Feel better about yourself?
You’re displaying the kind of hate we are fighting against.
oldgayvermonter
Read the whole speech…then STFU and let the kid be awesome! He can be my doctor any day with that attitude.
http://myktem.com/read-the-full-speech-from-the-belton-texas-high-school-student-who-came-out-at-his-graduation/
Jeepo1
@Dixie Rect:
Dixie reed did you even read the speech? Have you ever heard a commencement speech before? He didn’t make it all about himself and in fact wrote a very powerful speech about accepting ones self.
Dev.C
@Dixie Rect:
I’m sorry but I don’t find anything wrong with what this guy did. Sorry if some of us want more visibility at a
time when it matters the most for our voices to be heard. Most people get on a stage and boast about what ethnicity
they are or where they come from. This kid showed that he has pride for being gay, which is something he should
be proud of and have the ability to voice without the criticisms of others especially another gay person.
I’m sorry if no one cared when you came out, or maybe you didn’t have to if it was plain for others to see,
but don’t diminish this boys speech because you feel a curtain kind of way for people being proud of their sexuality.
Heterosexual shove their sexual desires down our throats everyday in every way, in that regard he’s entitled to be as you said “Selfish” for a day.
Jackhoffsky
This is in BELTON… TEXAS. So this town is very… white, southern, trailer… basically all the worst part of Sordid Lives.
So what this kid did was AMAZING. Belton is certainly not the place where I would come out.
Jackhoffsky
In the Belton Journal there’s an editorial piece on foul language (seriously).
LaTeesha
@Dixie Rect: Stop smoking crack. It’s already made you stupid.
stadacona
What a narcissist. Graduation day didn’t belong to him. Being a valedictorian is a privilege, not an invitation from Oprah.
FStratford
@Dixie Rect:
It’s his speech. He earned it. His grades gave him the right to be the Salutatorian and give the speech.
Your yakking shows you have now class. Typical Texas Trash!
Steve318
@Jeepo1: As a teacher I have heard many commencement speeches. Mr. Anderson’s speech was superb and applied to all in the audience. Coming out added a personal touch usually heard in such speeches.
dbmyers
@Dixie Rect: What a grandiose troll you are! You really think anyone here will prefer you and your cynicism over this brave teen, doing his best to help every other GLBTQ student, now and in the future, to have a better, more supportive environment in school and in life? He is doing exactly what Harvey Milk urged all of us to do.
“Gay brothers and sisters,… You must come out. Come out… to your parents… I know that it is hard and will hurt them but think about how they will hurt you in the voting booth! Come out to your relatives… come out to your friends… if indeed they are your friends. Come out to your neighbors… to your fellow workers… to the people who work where you eat and shop… come out only to the people you know, and who know you. Not to anyone else. But once and for all, break down the myths, destroy the lies and distortions. For your sake. For their sake. For the sake of the youngsters . . .”
– Harvey Milk
So, Dixie Rect, who’s really the bitch here?
Homophile
@dbmyers:
Face. Cracked.
Nicely said.
dbmyers
stadacona: Is that you Dixie Rect (with another id?). I can’t believe there were be two imbeciles of your ilk, here preaching the same Bull Pucky?
dbmyers
@Homophile: Thanks Homophile, my pleasure, believe me.
2eo
@Dixie Rect: @stadacona: It turns out you are exactly the same poster. Normally Stada posts from a totally bland shared IP proxy, but he forgot before switching accounts.
This is good information, BJ has been terrified off posting here, you will be too when your address, place of work and place of worship is posted.
ShooterSkai
If you call this kid an attention whore or self absorbed then you didn’t bother to read his whole speech. Think before open your mouths.
What he’s saying here, is that high school is not an easy place to maneuver in and we all know that. Especially, when you have a lingering secret you’ve been holding back you’re entire life.
There was no guarantee for a positive response. They could’ve booed him off stage, called him a fag. Hell, they could’ve done many things, but this kid took the change to come out in the best way he knew how. I call that getting it all over with so everyone and their mother now knows and there won’t be anyone left to tell.
Dixie Rect
Waaaa..You don’t like my opinion. I’m sooooooo crushed! Looks like all the vicious bullying queens are out again. LOL!
arj
Bravo, young man, Bravo!!!
Niall
@Dixie Rect: LMAO. The typical reply from someone who doesn’t have anything better to add. “They’re bullying meeeeeeeeee”.
ChiChi Man
@2eo: If I weren’t already married, I’d stalk you and make you my protector. Please keep fighting the good fight.
Mitch Anderson earned his place on the podium and chose this moment to do something brave and that will most definitely help other LGBT kids and adults. Dbmyers’s Harvey Milk quote is entirely apt. Come out and keep coming out!
Dixie Rect
@2eo: Are you threatening me douche? Bring it.
Jeepo1
@steve318 I’m not sure which part of my post made you think I didn’t think his speech was great. I believe I actually said his speech was powerful.