Teen comes out as gay at Catholic school assembly and public's response brings his mom to tears
A 17-year-old Catholic student decided to come out as gay during a speech to the whole school and received a shower of support.
Finn Stannard, a student at St. Ignatius school in Sydney, Australia, spoke openly about his sexual orientation. The school’s strong Catholic religious affiliation was no deterrent to the overwhelming amount of support Finn received after his speech.
As the 17-year-old Finn stood before his school during his keynote speech he started to share:
“Announcing yourself to the world is pretty terrifying because what if the world doesn’t like you. I decided that it was finally time to tell someone the truth. It wasn’t easy, but I told my mum that I thought I might be gay.”
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Finn Stannard shared his sexuality in front of 1500 #students and #teachers at his #schoolassembly. In his powerful speech he indicated that being yourself to the world is 'pretty terrifying'. "We need to make sure we live in communities of inclusion..." Dr Hine, Principal pic.twitter.com/QttfLJaaj4
— The Learning Guide (@LearningGuideAU) November 28, 2018
Attended by over 1,500 student and faculty members, Finn continued:
“Life was easier living as the straight eldest son. I had spent so long behind the facade of a confident heterosexual man that I wasn’t sure if I knew how to be me.”
A Catholic boys school in Sydney has given a standing ovation to Finn Stannard, a Year 12 student who came out as gay during a speech at assembly. https://t.co/upMJLGlZHO pic.twitter.com/uZ8DHzahdh
— ABC Religion&Ethics (@ABCReligion) November 28, 2018
After the conclusion of his inspiring speech, the entire school stood up in unison for a standing ovation. Finn’s mother, Megan Stannard was relieved at the response her son received and said:
“The fact that Finn was supported, the fact that his message was heard, I was in tears. We were so proud of him, so proud of the school, and so proud of the boys. It was a truly special occasion.”
In Australia, LGBTQ rights made headway over the last few years, with an overwhelming vote to pass marriage equality just last year. It gave Finn the courage to open up and tell everyone how he felt.
This is the moment a gay student at one of Sydney’s most elite Catholic schools - that boasts former prime minister Tony Abbott and Barnaby Joyce among its alumni - stood up in a packed assembly hall of more than 1,500 students and came out pic.twitter.com/NyZxffFBmr
— SBS News (@SBSNews) November 26, 2018
The principal at St. Ignatius showed his acceptance and support as he said:
“I’m not sure anyone chooses their sexuality; that’s who they are, and therefore we need to be open to that and to accept it and to make sure we live in communities of inclusion – and with that will come diversity.”
With full support from his family and friends, Finn feels confident to be himself and even took his boyfriend to a formal school dance. Grateful to be in accepting surroundings as gay community members are often bullied, especially in school.
In August, 9-year-old Jamel Myles got bullied at school after he came out to his classmates at Joe Shoemaker Elementary School after starting fourth grade.
He told his mother, Leia Pierce, during the summer and with love and support from her he wanted to share as Leia said:
"He went to school and said he was gonna tell people he's gay because he's proud of himself."
Four days later Leia found her son dead in their Denver home. Jamel told his older sister that children at school told him to kill himself.
Jamel Myles killed himself after suffering homophobic bullying at school. He was nine years old. Nine. Years. Old. https://t.co/oPV63RJT0k
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) August 29, 2018
Devastated by the loss of her son just because he was different than everyone else is something Leia hopes for no parent. She wants to spread awareness about the effects of bullying and added:
"We should have accountability for bullying. I think the child should because the child knows it's wrong. The child wouldn't want someone to do it to them. I think the parent should be held (accountable) because obviously the parents are either teaching them to be like that, or they're treating them like that."
Jamel Myles’ mother, Leia Pierce, told @TheDailyBeast’s Samantha Allen (@SLAwrites): “Will you do my son and I a favor? Stand together as equals and show love to everyone, with acceptance of everyone.” https://t.co/K2VfRYTSVI
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 31, 2018
With Finn and Jamel the difference in support and acceptance and the consequences they can have is evident. But with more pioneers in the LGBTQ community stepping forward certain prejudices can hopefully become a thing of the past.
Recently Jared Polis became the first openly gay Democrat to be elected as governor in the history of the United States and became governor of Colorado on November 6, 2018.
Jared took the time to show gratitude towards the LGBTQ pioneers before him, for their hard work and dedication and expressed his pride in his state and it's people. Voters looked passed his sexual orientation and saw what he stood for.
HISTORY! Jared Polis was just elected as the first openly gay male Governor. pic.twitter.com/Z1bbrktnqW
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) November 7, 2018
